New place - Grass Management?

[Carolynmac]

Hello all,

newbie, just looking for some thoughts / opinions.

We bought our first 'horses at home' place in November. I have 10.5 acres; one big 9 acres field split in two and 1 1.5 acre field. When we moved in they had not been grazed for 3 years, so my 4 (who live out and are very good dooers) just ate down the 9 acres, supplemented with ad lib forage once needed.

It is quite rough, and now the grass is starting to come back (lots of it!) and also lots of weeds; docks mainly so far, but I am sure more. I am 950feet above sea level, in Scotland, the official soil type is 'Rendzina - which is shallow soils with solid or fragmented calcareous rock at depth, Soils of limited extent in Scotland, confined to areas of limestone rock, Soils have a mineral surface horizon with prominent crumb structure due to intense faunal activity, Soils are generally free draining and often stony, Soils in certain topographic positions have a brightly coloured subsoil or mixed AB horizon, Soils have a distinctive vegetation cover, with herb-rich grassland being common.'

I was going to get it sprayed for weeds but have put that on hold as would rather not use chemicals, and also worried as I have so much grass, that when weeds go, the grass will explode more! A local farmer is going to put some sheep on for me soon (once they are clipped as still cold at us). So my questions are:

(1) Not spraying - sensible or not? Will sheep eat down a lot? I really don't want to be blasting chemicals everywhere if I can help it. I will obviously watch for Ragwort and pull when appropriate.
(2) I have not 'fertilised' or anything. I do chain harrow and rest alternatively. Should I be doing more?
(3) Should I get a soil test done?

Really just looking for advice. The local farmers think I need lots done, but I think they are judging it on grazing needed for prize cows! Would kill my horses!

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[Welly]

We have found that if you let weeds grow especially docks they will cover the land in a couple of years. We don't like chemicals but if you get the paddocks blasted this year and probably next year you will then be able to keep on top of them yourself, we also find topping them regularly helps.

 

[Polos Mum]

I found this book really useful

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Managing-Grass-Horses-Responsible-Owners/dp/0851318568

Horses need very little compared to livestock so your right to be cautious - if you've good doers and lots of grass avoid fertiliser - if you need to harrow and then rest in sections to give something back to the land.

Sheep will eat most and you could spot spray/ dig/ strim whatever they refuse to ear - sheep are excellent natural fertilisers so they will make your grass richer (little feet paddling in their droppings)

A full soil test is about £27 and will give you valuable insight as to what minerals your horse is eating - even if you choose not to do anything to the land then at least you#ll know what the grass is rich and poor in and you can feed your horses accordingly.
We had land off the scale for magnesium and I never had any feet problems !! now moved house and I need to supplement magnesium.