Will I commit a felony if I let my horses graze on newly established pasture?

[manyspots]

We prepped, fertilized and seeded my 1 acre "recreational" pasture area last fall and have been minimally caring for it this year (as in spraying for weeds and a recent mowing). It has taken hold very well, but most people tell me leave it alone in the first year and wait til year two to graze.

We have small acreage and my guys currently live in their 1/4 acre sacrafice paddock. We designed the small pasture area only for daily use, a few hours at a time, not as a source of replacing hay/forage in their diet. I realize two full size horses would eat this up very quickly if allowed to graze 24/7.

Any feedback? Anyone have an area like this?

[Equibrit]

Horses graze by pulling the grass. You will lose your barely established grass if you let them on it. The grass hasn't had time to get it roots firmly and deeply into the ground yet. Winter helps in doing this.

[MikeP]

Depends on your local situation. Around here, it takes about 60 days for pasture grass to become established enough to graze. I'd turn them out on it and watch for a few minutes.

If they aren't pulling it up by the roots, it's good to go. If they are pulling it up, take them back off and wait some more.

[YankeeLawyer]

I would wait, but it sounds like you really need to get your horses some pasture. What about handwalking them for a bit on the new grass?

[Just My Style]

I am in the same situation. I only turn mine out on the new pasture for about an hour a day. It gives them something to look forward to and a change of scenery, but they aren't on it long enough to do too much damage. I also never put them on it when it is damp, because they tear it up too much. I learned the hard way and lost last year's grass. We have been in a serious drought and me putting the horses on what little grass we had didn't help. A few thousand $$$$ later, I fixed the situation, but I don't want to do that again.

[KnKShowmom]

I have a field that we seeded last fall and again this spring. We have fertilized, limed, mowed and because of all of the rain, it looks great.

Am I tempted to turn out on it?? Yep, cause my other field could use a break, but I am going to fertilize and spot seed this fall and keep it closed til next spring so I dont' run the risk of having to start all over again.

[2DogsFarm]

Don't do what I did:
Paid to have smaller - 1/2ac - field drill-seeded & fertilized then let it be until the following Spring when new grass started coming in.
Put 2 horses onto it unrestricted.

Now the larger - 1.5ac - pasture (which was only seeded by me with a pushalong spreader & never fertlized or kept horse-free) has the better grass and smaller one is just now (5 years later) starting to gain ground.

I'd keep them off it until grass has been established for a year.
As long as they have something to eat, your horses really don't care that it's not the nice, green grass next door.
OK - maybe they do care, but it's better for the pasture.

[KnKShowmom]

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence!

[manyspots]

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence!

NO Kidding!!!! :lol::lol:

Seriously, it is my issue, I just can't stand looking at it and then my boys on the dirt lot. They are however fine with their diets and 24/7 hay in front of their faces. I just feel bad.

So next year it is!

[MikeP]

When all else fails, ask your county extension agent to come have a look. He/she is a professional expert that's familiar with your area. They will visit for free, and there's no need to wait another seven months if your pasture is ready NOW.