History

The UK Horse Pasture Evaluation Program began in 2005 as part of the Equine Initiative to develop stronger ties with Kentucky's equine industry. To date, the program has performed over 200 evaluations, representing over 40,000 farm acres in 21 counties across the commonwealth.

Objectives

Our objectives include:

1. Providing detailed pasture management recommendations to horse farm owners and managers,
2. Improving pastureland by increasing forage quality and quantity,
3. Reducing the need for stored feeds such as hay and grain, and
4. Assessing the potential risk of fescue toxicity for pregnant broodmares on pasture.

Soil Mapping

Lexington is the Horse Capital of the World for a reason; rich, fertile soils lay under the iconic horse pastures. Limestone layers enrich the soil in phosphorus and calcium needed for growing foals into athletes. But soils are diverse, and understanding them is key to utilizing land effectively and managing it without damage. Soil mapping helps managers with farm layout and design as well as targeted practices to improve pasture stand diversity.

Species Composition

Managing pastures begins with understanding what is there to manage. Determining species composition informs managers of the grasses, legumes, weeds and bare areas within a pasture. These components are important in making seeding, grazing and weed control decisions. Generally, we see 4 major forage species: Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, orchardgrass and white clover.

Tall Fescue Sampling

Tall fescue is a cool season, bunch type grass, naturalized to central Kentucky and found on most horse farms. However, it is often infected with a fungus, called an endophyte, that can be toxic to brood mares. Testing for the presense of this endophyte and the toxin associated with it (ergovaline) helps managers decide how best to protect mares and foals.

Students

The UK Horse Pasture Evaluation Program not only provides valuable information to horse farm managers, but also serves to educate students through internships, senior research projects and summer employment. Each summer, 4-6 undergraduates are hired to work in this program. Each student leaves with a better understanding of research, extension, and the horse industry in KY.

Funding

The UK Horse Pasture Evaluation Program is part of the Forage Extension Program at UK. While extension work is state supported and therefore free to the public, the time, labor, and resources put into this program are not. Grants cover nearly two thirds of the operating costs, with the remaining covered by the participating farms. Pricing is based on the size of the pasture and the sampling performed. Contact us for a quote.