equestrian lifestyle GOING GREEN
From the Ground Up
The Importance of Soil Testing in Organic Pasture Management By Equine Facility Architect Ellen Whittemore
What do you think of when you hear the word organic? Like me, most people associate the word with avoiding things like pesticides or herbicides. However, Clay Nelson takes a broader holistic view when it comes to pasture management. Clay is one of the founders of Sustainable Stables, a firm that offers consulting services for equestrian facilities emphasizing conservation, land stewardship, and environmental health (sustainablestables.com). Clay helped me to understand that organic pasture management has many goals including improving soil conditions, increasing nutrient value, preventing soil erosion and polluted run-off, increasing biodiversity, and achieving this in a manner that is safe for both humans and horses. To reach these goals, one of the first things Clay recommends to his clients is soil testing.
The proper type and balance of fertilizers helps to create healthy grass that crowds out weeds.
When asked if you should fertilize and how you should approach it, Clay says, “Yes, yes, yes, you should fertilize!� But, he advises to use only the right type in the right amount. Ultimately the goal is to balance what will support a healthy stand of nutritious grasses with the judicious use of soil amendments. A soils test, by analyzing the available nutrient elements and pH, will indicate what type and how much fertilizer and lime should be applied. When you get the balance right the product is healthy grass that is, in and of itself, one of the best ways to discourage weeds. A healthy strand of grass will crowd out and outcompete weeds, whereas weeds are designed to thrive in stressed, nutrient-poor soils. Compost, often thought of as organic, can be a great way to fertilize, as it adds organic matter as well as nutrients to the soil and can help prevent erosion by acting as a protective coverage. However, even compost should be tested to make sure it contains the right mix of nutrients 78
equine Journal
| October 2013
needed for the soils in your pastures and that any adjustments can be made as necessary.
Not Too Little, Not Too Much In his work, Clay finds that most pastures are under fertilized, however, too much fertilizer is not a good thing either. Underfertilized grasses are thought to have higher sugar content in the edible stem which, when consumed by horses, may lead to laminitis. On the other hand, overfertilizing pastures can result in nutrient runoff that can jeopardize the water quality of the larger ecosystem. Clay’s recommendation is
that soils be tested every three years. Your local cooperative extension can help you with this or a simple online search can help you identify a testing facility in your area. In the end, Clay left me with a new appreciation for organic pasture management and the idea that pastures need to be thought of as part of a comprehensive ecosystem and we and our horses are part of the system. We would love to feature your green ideas and projects. Contact Ellen Whittemore, Equine Facility Architect, at ellenmwhittemore@yahoo.com.
Photo: Shawn Hamilton/clixphoto.com
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