Red clover is the most widely grown of the true clovers and frequently is included in pasture mixes for horses where tall fescue or orchardgrass are being seeded. Red clover is more tolerant of imperfectly drained soils, lower soil pH and is easier to establish than many other legumes. Birdsfoot trefoil is a deep rooted, long-lived legume for Northern Ohio where it is adapted to a wide range of soil conditions. Stands do not persist in the southern part of the state even with use of most recently developed varieties. Where adapted, birdsfoot trefoil stands can be retained for many years with proper management.
Seedlings are weak and slow to establish so early stand management is important.
Also, birdsfoot trefoil needs a special inoculant culture different from what is used for alfalfa- clover to induce nitrogen fixation by nodules on roots. Generally, only bluegrass should be sown with birdsfoot trefoil in pastures because of its sensitivity to grass competition. Alfalfa has the highest yield potential and the most feed value of all the perennial pasture forages and is unexcelled in drought tolerance. Because of these exacting requirements, alfalfa is seldom included in horse pastures. For a more complete discussion of horse pastures and forage needs, see OSU Extension Bull.