How to Establish Grass for a Horse Pasture

Establishing grass for a horse pasture doesn't have to be frustrating. If you take the time beforehand to properly prepare the soil, research the best grass species for your area and watch the weather, lush green fields can be within reach even for the horticulturally challenged. Here are some guidelines to follow to establish grass for horses.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Grass seed (it's important to choose a variety both appropriate for your region and nutritious to horses)
• Mulch hay

1. Take some time to research the variety of grass best for horses in your region. Try calling feed and seed stores and other horse owners in the area. Look for a variety of grass that is hardy and prolific, grows well in your climate and is healthy for horses to eat. In some cases, you might want to use 2 different varieties in the same field--one that grows better in the warmer months, and one that does well in the colder months of the year.
2. Find out what month is the best time to plant your particular variety of grass. Then plow, or hire someone to plow, the field. If there are many rocks in the pasture, you may need to have someone go over the land with a rock rake, which is a special tractor attachment that removes rocks from the soil.
3. Watch the local weather forecasts. For best results, try to choose a time when the ground is moist from recent rain and more light rain is expected soon.
4. Spread the seed over the ground, either by hand for small areas, or by a spreader pulled behind a tractor for large spaces.
5. Spread a layer of mulch hay in the pasture over the newly sown seed.

Tips & Warnings

• Start establishing grass at least 2 years before you plan to introduce horses. This will give the grass plenty of time to establish.