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