Central Kentucky horse farms interested in assistance from the University of Kentucky (UK) in evaluating their pastures now have access to a new program from the College of Agriculture’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences.

The Horse Pasture Evaluation Program, which started as a pilot program last fall, provides area horse farms an evaluation that includes assessment of the types of grasses and weeds present in each pasture, the ratio of each, an estimation of forage (food) available, and evaluation of pastures for percent of tall fescue and the potential of fescue stands to cause fescue toxicity in pregnant broodmares. Findings are then presented in a detailed report to each individual farm.

“The pasture management program is designed to meet the specific pasture needs for horse farms,” said UK College of Agriculture Dean Scott Smith. “The college has long served forage needs for beef cattle, so we are pleased to be able to begin tailoring a program for horses. We are heartened that the pilot program was very well-received, and we look forward to expanding those services in the upcoming years.”

“The equine industry sorely needs the monitoring and consultation being provided with this service,” said Steve Johnson, former Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ Club president and current president of Margaux Farm. “It’s very gratifying to know that UK is addressing the issues that are important on horse farms in Central Kentucky.” Johnson was one of the participants in the program’s pilot phase