The current recession, has meant that Equestrian Centres are now looking to reduce their in-put costs without detracting from the efficient running of the business.

One option that is routinely overlooked is increasing production of good quality home produced herbage from the business’s own fields.

This is a realistic and sustainable option for many Centres but does require specialised technical expertise that takes fully into account the needs of horses in terms of their special dietary needs and avoids soil related health problems caused through nutrient deficiencies, or high levels of potentially toxic elements that may have been built up in the land over many years.

Taking advice from a neighbouring farmer and getting him to spread some of his grassland fertiliser (including slurry or farmyard manure) on your pastures is one way, but it’s generally a false economy and is likely to be the root cause of some of your long-standing equine health problems.

This is because the dietary needs of dairy cows and intensive beef cattle are totally different to those of horses – in
fact, in many respects, they are complete opposites!

• Dairy cows need a high intake of protein rich / low fibre grass.
• Horses on the other hand, need free access to palatable grass species containing low protein and a high fibre content.

It’s a bit like asking your local garage to look after your teeth – yes they’ve got a drill, but it’s unlikely they’d cure your tooth ache!