A well managed pasture can provide a cheap and reliable source of feed for four to eight months of the year for most horses. Seeding The ideal horse pasture combines legumes and grasses. In general, grasses offer high dry matter intake, and earlier spring and later fall grazing than legumes. They also tend to develop a thick turf which discourages weeds and reduces damage from trampling.
Grasses can also reduce the risk of digestive upsets.
Legumes, on the other hand, are higher in protein and mineral content, maintain or improve nitrogen fertility and generally provide higher summer production. Soil Testing Grasses and legumes pull water, nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium out of the soil. Manure will return some of these nutrients to the soil, but the pasture will likely require an application of commercial fertilizer. For a small investment, have the soil tested and get some recommendations on nutrients required for your pasture. Soil should always be tested prior to planting.