Horse Pasture Management

Horse Pasture Management, Second Edition provides updated coverage on strategies for managing behavior, grouping, environments and feeding needs of grazing horses. Sections cover the structure, function and identification of forages, continuing into nutritional value of pasture plants. Management of soil, the function of a pasture ecosystem and management of plants in a pasture is covered next, followed by forage yield determination, horse grazing behavior, feed choices of horses, management of grazing horses, and how to calculate how many horses should be grazing relative to land size. Advantages of grazing more than one species of animal are described.

Management of hay and silage are included since year-round grazing is not possible on many horse farms. Several chapters deal with interactions of a horse farm with the environment, including climate and weather and other living things. The book also covers strategies for managing manure, erosion, and water quality. It is ideal for researchers, scientists and students involved in animal science, specifically equine studies. Agriculturists, equine managers and veterinarians will also find this book useful.

• Includes information on environmental best practices, plant and soil assessments, and wildlife concerns
• Features a new section on reducing carbon emissions and increasing sustainability on horse farms
• Explains pasture-related diseases, weed management and toxic plants to avoid
• Recommends relevant published resources and extension programs

Paul H. Sharpe
Retired from University of Guelph as a lecturer, researcher, program coordinator and Associate Director of academic programs. Ph.D. in reproductive physiology, University of Saskatchewan. M.Sc. in fertility of cattle in a tropical environment, University of Guelph. B. Sc. Ag. in Animal Science, University of Manitoba. B. Sc. in Zoology and Botany, Brandon University. Conducted research into animal reproduction, forage systems, alternative forages and grazing management. Taught 22 different courses in Biology and Animal Science. Studied and worked in Australia, Jamaica and three Canadian provinces. He also developed and taught a Pasture Management course for the Equine Management degree program at the University of Guelph. Since editing the first edition of Horse Pasture Management, he developed and taught a course called Sustainable Practices in Agriculture.