Pasture has the potential to provide
1. The horses nutrition
2. A Safe exercise area
Potentials rarely achieved, often neglected
All information given here is believed to be correct but the author cannot be responsible for any consequences of it's use.
by Denis Lindsell
Plants grow from certain growing points, the position of which vary according
to the species.
Broad-leaved plants genrally grow from the apex of the main stem or side branches.
Grasses however, except when they are 'running up to seed' have their growing
points close to the ground, at the base of the tillers
These facts are of importance when considering species for paddocks that are to be grazed by animals, as a plant
will be slow to re-grow, or may in-fact die, if its growing points are removed.
This explains the predominant use of grasses for grazing, their growing points
certainly being below the height at which cattle would normally graze, though horses are able to graze lower. Broad
leaved plants are unlikely to survive hard grazing unless they have a creeping habit with stolons close to the ground ensuring that the growing points
are low. White clover is stoloniferous and therefore survives a reasonable amount of grazing.