Strip Grazing:  What It Is & How It Can Benefit Horses

Strip grazing manages horses’ access to pasture.

Grazing is a natural behavior for horses, and it positively influences a horse’s mental, physical, and digestive health.

Strip-grazed horses are rotated through fresh grass areas by gradually moving a temporary fence. This method aids in weight control, prevents overgrazing, and enhances pasture utilization.

Strip grazing is ideal for horses prone to obesity or metabolic issues.

Image source: https://www.veterinary-practice.com/2024/strip-grazing-delivers-a-steadier-supply-of-nutrients-than-free-grazing

What is Strip Grazing?

Strip grazing controls horse access to fresh grass by using temporary fencing, typically electric tape, in a pasture. This method allows horses to eat evenly and prevents aggressive grazing. Unlike free grazing, strip grazing offers a consistent supply of nutrients and helps to avoid overeating.

Purpose:

• Weight management.
• Pasture use.
• Prevent aggressive grazing.
• Consistent nutrient intake.

Benefits of Strip Grazing for Horses as a Weight Management Tool

Strip grazing has many advantages over traditional grazing methods.

1. Weight Management Tool: By limiting grass intake, strip grazing helps keep horses and ponies ‘ weight in check. Horses on strip grazing systems tend to gain less weight than free grazing horses. They also tend to have more consistent nutrient intake.
2. Pasture Use: Incrementally increasing access to fresh grass prevents horses from damaging pasture areas through overgrazing. This approach also promotes grass recovery.
3. Forage Intake Control: By limiting the grazing area, strip grazing prevents overeating, which is especially helpful for horses with metabolic issues.
4. Better Nutrient Distribution: Controlled grazing means horses get a balanced diet because the pasture is not overgrazed.
5. Reduce Aggressive Selective Grazing: Moving the fence regularly prevents horses from grazing their favorite patches and promotes more even pasture growth.

A grazing muzzle is an additional resource for owners of horses that are “easy-keepers” or prone to metabolic issues.

The Flexible Filly Slow-Feeding Grazing Muzzle safeguards horses that are sensitive to these conditions, providing owners with greater confidence when turning them out on grass.

The muzzle’s lightweight and airy design distinguishes itself from the bulky muzzles currently available, allowing horses to graze comfortably – though not excessively – and interact socially with their pasture pals.

Getting Started with Strip Grazing

To start strip grazing, divide your horse’s field into three areas: a grazed strip, a rest area, and a buffer zone. This way, you can manage the pasture effectively and give the grass time to recover and grow.

Temporary electric fencing is the easiest way to set up strip grazing. It’s light, easy to move, and cheap compared to permanent options. This fencing allows you to adjust the grazing area as needed and gives you flexibility in managing your pasture.

The frequency of moving the fence depends on the growth of grass and the horse’s consumption needs, which vary throughout the year. During periods of rapid grass growth, such as spring, you may need to move the fence more frequently to prevent overgrazing and to ensure a steady supply of fresh grass.

A best practice is to move the fence on both sides of the grazing area simultaneously to maintain a consistent grazing strip size. This approach creates natural strip migration across the pasture, allows the grass to recover, and promotes healthy growth.

When establishing a strip grazing system, consider grass growth, horse appetite, and the time of year for optimal results. Strip grazing can serve as a weight management tool once the rapid spring growth has ended, as it limits grass intake and prevents aggressive selective grazing.

By ensuring a consistent supply of fresh grass, strip grazing can enhance the overall health and well-being of horses. This approach helps your horse maintain a balanced diet while also preserving the quality of your pasture.

How to Set up a Strip Grazing System with Temporary Electric Fencing

Setting up a strip grazing system involves dividing a pasture into smaller grazing sections with movable fences, typically electric tape and posts.

1. Plan the Grazing Area: Choose an appropriate size by considering herd dynamics, the nutritional value of the pasture, and the desired forage intake. A well-planned strip-grazed system ensures that horses receive consistent nutrients and helps prevent overgrazing. 
2. Install Temporary Electric Fencing: Use electric tape along with extra posts to set up a lead and back fence. Moveable fences enable gradual expansion of the grazing area.
3. Allocate New Strips Regularly: Move the fence forward about three feet a day to give gradual access to fresh grass. Don’t create too many corners, which can complicate the system.
4. Supplement Forage: If the grass supply is insufficient, offer hay or other forage to ensure a balanced diet.
5. Monitor and Adjust: Observe the horse’s appetite, body weight, and pasture conditions to modify the system as necessary.

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Setting up a Track

A track system divides a paddock into grazing and resting areas by marking a grazing ‘track’ around the perimeter. This creates a loop with the ungrazed area in the middle, encourages the horse to move more while grazing, and mimics the greater distances they would cover in the wild.

Tracks can help horses burn extra calories and promote healthy grass growth by allowing the ungrazed area to rest and recover. To establish a track, begin by marking the grazing track with temporary electric fencing or other appropriate materials.

The track should be wide enough for horses to graze together and move past each other comfortably. A manmade or natural shelter should be along the track for horses to escape the elements. A wider area should be available for horses to gather, socialize, and lie down.

Tracks can be customized with different surfaces like sand or rocks to replicate a wilder environment and provide mental stimulation for horses. This variety will keep horses engaged and promote overall well-being.

Restricted Grazing

Restricted grazing means limiting the amount of grass available to your horse to promote healthy weight management and prevent overgrazing. Strip grazing is a form of restricted grazing where you fence off a small area of the pasture and move it regularly to allow access to fresh grass.

Limiting grass intake can prevent aggressive selective grazing and promote a more even nutrient distribution. Controlled grazing benefits horses susceptible to laminitis or obesity since it allows you to manage their sugar and calorie intake. While restricting grazing, monitor your horse’s weight and adjust the regimen as necessary to ensure they receive the proper nutrients. You can also employ restricted grazing alongside weight management strategies like exercise and dietary changes for optimal results.

By working with an equine veterinary professional, you can develop a customized restricted grazing plan for your horse. Although restricted grazing can function as a weight management tool, ensure your horse receives all the essential nutrients for optimal health.

Challenges and Solutions in Strip Grazing

Strip grazing has its challenges.

1. Too Little Space: Horses need room to move. Crowded areas can cause stress and uneven grazing. Adjust the fencing to give them enough space. Consult your vet to determine the optimal space for your horses.
2. Rapid Spring Growth: During rapid spring growth, horses may consume a lot of fresh grass, increasing the risk of laminitis. Reduce access during these times.
3. Track System Issues: Creating a track around the pasture can improve movement but requires planning to avoid overuse of specific areas.
4. Grazing Area Recovery: Resting areas need recovery time before horses are introduced back. Recovery periods can fluctuate throughout the seasons.
5. Multi-Horse Herds: Herd dynamics can complicate strip grazing. Use multiple fenced sections for horses with different nutritional needs.

Tips for Strip Grazing Horses

1. Electric Tape and Posts: Keep tape handy and move the lead and back fences regularly to provide new grass while protecting ungrazed areas.
2. Monitor Forage Intake: Ensure horses get enough fresh new grass without overgrazing. Give supplementary forage when needed.
3. Adjust Grazing Section Sizes: Depending on pasture quality and horse requirements, adjust the grazing area to balance grass intake.
4. Maintain Pasture Quality: Rotate grazing areas and avoid compacted or over-trampled ground.

Final Points

Strip grazing is an effective weight management tool that promotes efficient pasture utilization and optimal horse health. Gradually increasing access to fresh grass with a movable fence system ensures horses get a balanced diet while protecting pasture quality. By following tips and monitoring horse and pasture conditions, horse owners can achieve long-term benefits from this method.

Common Questions

Below are common questions we get asked about this topic.