Q: I have heard that pollinators like bees and butterflies are in danger of not having enough flowers. Are there flowering forages that I can include in my horse pastures that support both my horses and the pollinators?
A: Insect pollinators such as bumble bees and monarch butterflies have shown population decline in recent years. Pastures provide a great opportunity to support these insects while also producing forage for grazing animals like horses. When planning to incorporate flowering species into a pasture, it is important to consider three factors:
1) a little goes a long way, pastures do not need to be full of flowering plants and as little as 1 percent ground cover occupied by flowers can significantly help insect pollinators
2) depending on the pasture type and land characteristics, seeding flowering species can be throughout the pasture, or in strips such as along fences or even overgrazed areas
3) incorporating a mixture of species with different flowering seasons can provide more floral resources throughout the summer, which can support more pollinators.
There are many flowering forages already used in horse pastures, many of which are legumes. Clovers (e.g., white, red, crimson) are easy to establish and can provide flowers throughout the season, especially during rainy periods. Alfalfa will also flower throughout the summer but must be allowed to rest and grow to maturity. Therefore, alfalfa may be best for rotated pastures. Birdsfoot trefoil is another common pasture species that can produce a persistent forage source with flowers once established. When incorporating birdsfoot trefoil in horse pastures, select a variety that does not produce prussic acid. Aside from supporting pollinators, legumes (e.g. alfalfa, clover) also improve pasture yield, seasonal distribution, and adaptability to weather conditions.
When selecting flowering species, it is important to note that not all types are safe for horses. Although species such as thistles, milkweed, buttercup, and black locust trees all provide excellent floral resources for insect pollinators, all (and more) are toxic or physically harmful to horses. Research has not yet been conducted to determine if native wildflowers (e.g., goldenrods, purple coneflower, black-eyed susan) are toxic or palatable to horses and should be avoided when seeding directly into pastures at this time.
The post Ask the Expert: Pollinator-Friendly Horse Pastures appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
