Grazing and Pasture
Too Much Grass? Not Enough? Here's How to Manage
December 2018
If you graze horses in Australia you will be used to living that old saying... “it never rains but it pours”. While some areas are still experiencing the effects of a devastating drought, in past few weeks, rain has been falling heavily in more coastal regions, sparking the grass into life. After going through a long dry period, the plants will be very high in sugars and starches until they have time to recover properly. Horses will desperately gorge on the available green pick and this is when many cases of laminitis occur. Here are the grazing tips that will help you manage.
Grass Farming in the Snowy Mountains
November 2018
All over the world, more and more horse owners are embracing the principles taught by Jane and Stuart Myers through their Equiculture Responsible Horse Owners Resource, successfully implementing them in their own properties and situations.
A Grass Farmers Best Kept Secret: The Equicentral System
October 2018
If you still think managing your horses and your land responsibly is difficult and expensive hard work, think again! All over the world, more and more horse owners are embracing the principles taught by Jane and Stuart Myers through their Equiculture Responsible Horse Owners Resource, successfully implementing them in their own properties and situations.
Grass Farmers: Managing Horse Properties in Drought
August 2018
During drought, fibre, essential for horses, becomes very expensive and difficult to obtain. All you can do in very dry conditions is damage control. Any improvements to your land need to take place during the good times to ensure your land is better able to handle the drought and will make a better recovery when the drought breaks. When it’s dry... Dry conditions are often coupled with hot weather or drying winds that increasingly dehydrate the plants so they shatter and eventually die if grazing animals are allowed to overgraze them during this time.
July Grass Farmers: When in Drought...
July 2018
With much of eastern Australia experiencing drought, in this issue, we bring you the inspiring story of grass farmer Karen Budds, who together with her partner, Scott Hug, has been able to turn the negative of a situation that we cannot control into a positive action plan that will see them, their land and their horses weather this difficult time. This is Karen’s story
Increasing Vegetation on Horse Properties: Part 2
June 2018
Horse properties should be biodiverse havens containing many different species of vegetation other than pasture. You should aim to grow herbs, succulents, bushes and trees in as many areas as possible for the huge benefits they provide. As well as for your horses, this has the added bonus of transforming your horse property into an environmental asset. In this article, Jane and Stuart Myers explain the benefits, and give practical advice on placement and plant selection.
April Grass Farmers Managing Manure: Part 3
April 2018
In this three-part series, we discuss the different ways horse owners can manage manure in their horse property to reduce pollution, parasites (worms), weeds, labour and costs. In Part 1, we discussed the pros and cons of picking up manure from the pastures, and we also discussed the dos and don'ts of harrowing. In Part 2, we discussed cross grazing as a beneficial pasture and parasite management strategy.
A Haven for Horses and the Land
March 2018
At the foot of the Toowoomba ranges, on a quiet and winding country road lies Split Rock Mountain Premier Horse Agistment, a place where horses can have ‘a holiday in the country’ and more importantly, where they are allowed to be horses in a safe and secure environment. While it may seem this article was written to promote the business, my interest in Split Rock Mountain was part of my ongoing search for interesting content and imagery to support the sustainable property management sections that are so popular and welcomed in every issue of the magazine.
March Grass Farmers Managing Manure: Part 2
March 2018
In this 3-Part series, we discuss the different ways horse owners can manage manure in their horse property to reduce pollution, parasites (worms), weeds, labour and costs. In Part 1 last month, we discussed the pros and cons of picking up manure from the pastures, and we also discussed the dos and don'ts of harrowing. This month, we look at cross grazing as a beneficial pasture and parasite management strategy.
Grass Farmers - Managing Manure: Part 1
February 2018
In previous articles, we have outlined practical aspects of The Equicentral System, a complete approach to sustainable horse and land management on your property. The Equicentral System uses your horses’ natural behaviours as an advantage. It enhances the health and wellbeing of the horses themselves, the land they live on and the environment at large. If you are new to the series or you missed any articles during 2017, you can read previous articles online at: http://bit.ly/2yNXG93. Horses and manure
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