Fertilisers for Good Pasture

There are four essential elements necessary for good pasture:

Lime - this is essential but it is possible to add too much, so you will need to do a soil test.

Phosphate - usually needs to be added every two - three years.

Potash - add if your soil test shows a deficiency.

Nitrogen - if you have plenty of clover, this should ensure sufficient nitrogen in the soil. Too much nitrogen is not good for pasture.

Fertilisers are available as individual elements or in bulk.

Compounds and also standard ratios. Where the individual ingredients are mixed in standard ratios, the choice of ratios will depend on the results of your soil analysis.

Pellets tend to land on the ground and don't tend to cling to the grass as perhaps powder tends to.

Do not graze your horses for three weeks after fertilising, assuming that there has been enough rain to wash the fertiliser into the ground.  Check the ground for any pellets lying around.

Horse manure is not recommended as a fertiliser as it will contain the larvae and eggs of parasitic worms.

Farm Yard Manure contains nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. It should be spread in the autumn so that there is time for the rain and earthworms to work it into the soil. Farm Yard Manure is best used on fields used to make another crop before grazing as it can make the pasture unpleasant for the horses to eat and can contribute to infection.

Pasture Management for Horses - Fertilisers

Fencing & Gate Suppliers    Land Maintenance Information