Loamy soil as pasture?

[Marigold4]

I've come across some land for sale. I expect to outbid for it, but I'll ask anyway. LandIS says it's soil type 5 "freely draining lime-rich loamy soils; texture is "loamy". The field is mostly on a slope. Anyone know what loamy soils are like for grazing and poaching? If I bought the land, it would be 2 small (15hh) unshod horses and a yearling on 3.5 acres but with the possibility of resting the land for a couple of months a year. Horses would be stabled at night in the worst of the winter. Do you think that would work?

 

[PurBee]

I’d want loam soil out of any soil type. Its a mixture of silt, sand, and clay - so its got moisture retention but not too much, and therefore doesnt get too boggy as it has drainage properties too.
It’s a fairly nutritious soil too.
On a slope it would drain quicker obviously so should remain firmer than flat loam.
I’d go for it!

 

[Marigold4]

I’d want loam soil out of any soil type. Its a mixture of silt, sand, and clay - so its got moisture retention but not too much, and therefore doesnt get too boggy as it has drainage properties too.
It’s a fairly nutritious soil too.
On a slope it would drain quicker obviously so should remain firmer than flat loam.
I’d go for it!

Oh that sounds good! I'm going to see the land again early next week and then hope to make an offer. Keep your fingers crossed!

 

[PurBee]

Oh that sounds good! I'm going to see the land again early next week and then hope to make an offer. Keep your fingers crossed!

good luck!

 

[Bob notacob]

Best there is!

 

[TheMule]

It's a great time of year to buy land- you will get a very accurate picture of how wet it is likely to get!
Loamy is good, should grow decent grass and drain quite well

 

[Tiddlypom]

We’ve got loam, it’s great stuff - it’s productive and normally well draining (except for this year which has been exceptionally wet hereabouts). The sand layer is two or three feet down.

 

[Marigold4]

It's a great time of year to buy land- you will get a very accurate picture of how wet it is likely to get!
Loamy is good, should grow decent grass and drain quite well

It's not had horses on for many a year though but it looks great! I've checked for sycamores etc and none near as far as I can see. It looks great and is right next to a bridleway that leads to a complex of other bridleways.

 

[Marigold4]

good luck!

Thank you!

 

[rabatsa]

Walk about and across the land, this should show you any wet spots/springs which are not visible from the gate.

 

[irishdraft]

I have a loamy soil on a large bank that I use for winter, it's flat at the top which even in the monsoonal rain we've been having is hardly cut up with 2 horses on it 24/7.The bank itself is dry so loam is the best you can get.