What To Do This Month In Your Paddocks

Chalk grassland flowers are spectacular at this time of the year

• Identify species growing in pasture so that you are aware what   plants horses have access to and so that you can recognise    palatable, beneficial herbs from poisonous plants.  Careful    pasture management allows wildflowers (often specific to the    soil type) to flourish.

• Clean water troughs in the sun!

• Do you control invasive weeds?  Injurious weeds need to be    controlled to prevent plants reseeding and in some cases poisoning   equines.  If species (e.g. thistles and docks) are not controlled,    they spread rapidly, reducing the pasture’s grazing value and    leading to an appearance of neglect.  Pulling is easier now    than later in the summer, when plants will be established and  the ground  baked hard.  Alternative methods of control include continuous topping or if  necessary, applying a selective herbicide. Wildlife will benefit from  occasional non-toxic weeds left in pasture margins.

Surrey Horse Pasture Project • www.surreycc.gov.uk/horsepastureproject • Tel:  01372 741783
Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty • www.kentdowns.org.uk • Tel:  01303 815170

Photo:  Kent Downs AONB
Text:  Kent Downs AONB & Surrey Horse Pasture Project

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