Horse field reseeds are like agricultural reseeds, in as much as lime is required to achieve a satisfactory pH level of between 6.0 to 6.2. It is often found that horse grazing paddocks contain lots of buttercups which is usually a sign of an acidic soil which would benefit from an application of lime.

The nutritional requirement of horses is generally less than those of cattle and sheep. This is reflected in our equestrian mixtures in terms of the species and varieties of grass. In addition to ryegrass, species such as strong creeping red fescue and smooth stalked meadow grass are included as they are of lower nutritional value than ryegrass and strong creeping red fescue can repair swards over time if hoof damage occurs. They have the dual benefit of providing good ground cover while also diluting the nutritional effects of ryegrass to avoid conditions such as laminitis which can be a problem in nutritionally rich horse grazing.

If hay or haylage is being made from the mixture, we include timothy which provides a good bulk to the crop. It is a very fibrous grass which is essential to help the crop dry, but more importantly, to suit the digestive system of the horses which benefit from high fibre levels in the conserved grass. The inclusion of white clover is an option. It provides good ground cover, fixes atmospheric nitrogen and can contribute to feeding the surrounding grass plants once mature. It is, however, very high in protein relative to the grass and can cause digestive problems.

An inclusion of herbs can be included in an equestrian mixture such as chicory, burnet, ribgrass and sheep’s parsley. They have long tap roots which penetrate deep into the soil and absorb trace elements and minerals which are obviously of benefit to the grazing horses. To sustain these herbs over the long term the ground being sown must be weed free as the herbs are susceptible to most herbicides and will be killed off if weeds need to be controlled.