Winter Pasture Management: Protect and Preserve Your Fields

Managing pastures effectively during the winter months is essential to safeguard your fields and provide a healthy environment for your horses. This guide covers practical, expert advice to help maintain your grazing land through wet and cold seasons while promoting your horses’ well-being.

To Rest or Rotate Your Pastures

Winter is a crucial time to protect grazing areas from damage. Horses need turnout, but overusing fields can leave them badly damaged come spring. Ideally, divide your grazing land into multiple paddocks using temporary electric fencing for rotational grazing. This allows you to rest some fields while using others, preventing overgrazing and ground damage.

If you have space, resting certain fields throughout winter ensures rich grazing in summer. Avoid turnout on very wet ground to prevent soil compaction. When turnout isn’t possible, consider letting your horse out in a school or arena for short periods to stretch their legs safely and comfortably.

Managing Horse Behaviour in Poor Weather

On gloomy days, horses can become bored or restless and may linger near gates, churning the ground. To prevent this, aim to turn your horse out two or more times daily for shorter intervals. Scatter multiple piles of hay around the field—not just one—to keep horses grazing and entertained while reducing soil damage near the gate. Avoid overcrowding turnout groups when possible.

If your horse requires daily turnout, consider splitting turnout times between morning and afternoon sessions. Shorter turnout periods often suit horses better and help maintain field condition. If you’re short on time, sectioning off a temporary gate near the main gate and moving it regularly can protect vulnerable ground from heavy wear.

Maintaining Fencing During Wet Winters

Wooden fences are vulnerable to water damage and rotting during the wet season. Use animal-safe wood treatments before winter to protect timber and prolong fence life. Promptly repair any broken panels to prevent further deterioration. Horses may chew fencing more often when bored in winter, increasing damage.

Consider using wood treatments that deter chewing to protect your investment and enhance safety. Regular fence inspections during winter prevent small issues turning into costly repairs.

Alternatives to Turnout to Protect Your Pastures

When ground conditions are too poor for grazing, using an arena or school as a turnout substitute can be beneficial. Ensure the area is secure and safe without escape routes. Provide hay nets to keep your horse occupied. Monitor your horse’s reaction, especially during the first few sessions, and avoid leaving them in the school too long to prevent boredom.

If turnout in any form is impossible, consider hand-walking. This helps your horse stretch and prevents stiffness from prolonged stabling. Use a bridle or head collar with lead depending on your confidence and the horse’s behaviour, ensuring safety for both horse and handler.

Improving Field Drainage

Good drainage is vital for maintaining pasture quality in wet weather. If your fields are persistently waterlogged, installing a drainage system to divert excess water can save time and reduce long-term land damage. While installation costs can be high, investment in drainage pays off by protecting your grazing land.

If you already have drainage in place but it’s underperforming, servicing or repairing it before the wet season can greatly improve effectiveness. Planning drainage work ahead of time avoids exacerbating problems during periods of heavy rain or snowmelt.

Small Steps That Make a Big Difference

Regularly clearing fields of manure and uneaten hay prevents nutrient build-up and avoids muddy, wasted patches. Overseeding bare or damaged areas and working with local farmers for spraying and paddock rolling helps regenerate the pasture.

Although winter pasture management is challenging, taking these steps helps protect your grazing land and promotes future field productivity. Responsible management benefits both your horses and the environment.