June 2020 Issue

Page 20 June 2020 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN By Joy Beam, King’s AgriSeeds It has been said that horses can hear grass growing. They seem to have a sixth sense to know where and when a blade of grass is growing. Then, as soon as they hear this dinner bell chime, they prance over and bite off the fresh blade of grass. Horses may not actually be able to hear grass growing; however, it can seem this way as it is challenging to keep horse pastures lush, green, and grow- ing. Assuming that it is the goal to have more productive pastures to graze on in order to limit hay bought and fed, there are sev- eral key points to keep in mind to keep the stand healthy and thriving. Beginning with the appropri- ate mix of grasses is the first step, but after the pasture is estab- lished, the most important man- agement practice is maintaining a good residual height. Grazing lower than a four inch height re- Managing Pasture for Those That Hear the Grass Grow sidual can stunt the grass, causing it to regrow slower than if a longer residual height had been left and leading to overall lower production. Considering the stocking rate, or the number of horses on the total number of acres on the farm, should be held in tangent with the residual height. If there are more mouths to feed than what the acreage can support, maintaining a good residual height becomes increasingly dif- ficult. Beginning with the proper stocking rate will set a farm up for success. Then, if possible, aim for ro- tational grazing among paddocks. Thirty-day rest periods between grazings are recommended in order for grasses to refuel their energy reserves, but any rest is better than no rest. If you would like further information on the appropriate pasture mix to begin with or how to best manage the assets on your farm, contact your King’s Agri- Seeds dealer. Looking for experienced fence installers? Chester County Fencing is an American-made, family-owned company serving you since 2009. Their Mission Statement "to maintain the integ- rity of the fence, deck, and railing industry through fair, ethical and honest conduct..." shapes every decision they make. As an expert in residential, commercial, and agricultur- al fence installation, as well as repairs and retail material sales, Chester County Fencing strives to meet and exceed their customers’ expectations while offering competitive pricing, free estimates, and ongoing relationships. They also offer run-in sheds, light grading, dry lots, brush clearing, and removal and disposal of old fences. They install most types of equine fencing, including vinyl horse rail, Centaur flex, post and board, split rail, slip board, and non-climb horse wire. Steve N., a satisfied customer, endorsed Chester County Fencing, saying "Chester County Fencing built a beautiful fence for a reasonable Integrity and Workmanship from Chester County Fencing price. Their people are profes- sional, friendly, and extremely accommodating. They made the extra effort to be sure we were happy with all the details. Great people! We could not be happier we chose CCF!" Integrity and workmanship are the foundation of Chester County Fencing, a full-service fence company committed to serving your needs through sup- plying and installing your fence or providing you with the materi- als needed to do it yourself. “We want you to have a great one- stop-shop experience with our company,” said VP of Estimating, Jesse Fisher, “allowing you to invest your time in your family and horses.” Great fencing is the cornerstone of keeping horses safe and happy while enjoying their turnout, as well as enhanc- ing the value of a property. Fully licensed and insured, Chester County Fencing is locat- ed at 772 Poplar Road, Honey Brook PA and covers PA, MD, DE, and NJ. For more informa- tion, call (610) 273-3300 or email Info@ccfencingllc.com . Remember...tell our advertisers you found them in East Coast Equestrian !