Pasture is the foundation of every horse’s diet, but how often do we consider what’s really going on beneath our horses’ hooves?
Over time, the sheer weight of horses, often well over 350kg, can lead to soil compaction. This silent issue reduces grass productivity, limits water and nutrient uptake, and forces plants to fight for survival rather than flourish. The result? Weak, low-nutrition grass that struggles to bounce back from grazing or weather extremes.
The importance of aeration
Regular aeration is essential to breathe new life into your fields. It breaks surface seals, reincorporates oxygen, and improves root development. Experts recommend aerating at least once a year, ideally twice:
- Late Winter/Early Spring: To kickstart growth as the season turns and support early grass development.
- Autumn: To help the land recover from summer grazing and prepare for winter.
Feeding the soil, Not just the plant
To really maximise both growth and nutrition, experts recommend a targeted annual application of fertiliser for grazing pasture and if you are looking for a natural, sustainable fertiliser, then advanced seaweed fertiliser and the addition of a bacteria solution could be the answer. This duo feeds not just your grass, but your soil microbiome, unlocking a range of benefits for plant resilience, growth, and nutrition.
What should you look for in a fertiliser?
Unlike basic seaweed fertilisers, you want an Advanced Seaweed solution with a bespoke blend of seaweed and humic substances, the organic remnants of ancient plant and animal life, broken down over thousands of years.
Humic substances act like a sponge within the soil, storing water and nutrients for both plants and microbes. They also improve soil structure, help chelate (bind) toxic heavy metals, and promote the growth of beneficial fungi.
Meanwhile, seaweed delivers:
- Trace minerals and bioactive compounds
- Plant hormones, enzymes and antioxidants that support stress resistance
- Root expansion, increasing nutrient uptake and drought tolerance
- Steady, safe growth without the spike of sugar-rich flushes
The result? A sweeter, higher dry matter grass that’s energy-rich and gut-friendly, ideal for horses prone to digestive issues or weight gain.
Why do you need to add bacteria to the soil?
The bacteria solution complements the seaweed application by introducing beneficial soil bacteria that improve nitrogen cycling and overall soil health. It supports natural growth rhythms, avoiding the risky growth surges that can contribute to conditions like laminitis.
And there’s no need to wait no withdrawal period means horses can be safely turned out on treated pasture the same day.
Efficient, Eco-Friendly, Economical
Whether you’re managing grazing land or hay fields, this system of natural products works with nature. For hay fields, a second application of just the Advanced Seaweed post cut is recommended to replenish the nutrients removed by the previous growth.
And here’s a bonus for the environmentally conscious: Seaweed is one of the world’s most effective natural carbon sequestrators, making this an approach that’s good for your pasture and the planet.
Edwards’ Seaweed Fertiliser UK is a supplier of natural seaweed products for commercial and domestic application. Using seaweed harvested sustainably from UK waters, their chemical-free products are made from a unique blend to enhance plant and soil health.
For more information, visit ukseaweedfertiliser.co.uk, or contact them on 01584 711635 or email sales@ukseaweedfertiliser.co.uk.
