9 Reasons to Love Pasture Board for Horses

“Is your horse happy?” The veterinarian’s question startled me. We were chatting outside Knight’s stall in the veterinary hospital. How could my cute OTTB not be happy?! He had a 24 by 24 corner pipe corral with mountain views and a buddy horse next door. I doted on him, and he had an easy arena workload and the occasional trail ride. Knight had just narrowly escaped colic surgery, and we had discovered his stomach was covered in ulcers. The year was 2015 and I didn’t even know pasture board was a thing in Southern California.

In January, I moved Knight in order to get closer to the fox hunt–I was hooked last fall when I attended a “faux hunt” clinic. Also, my research on successful management of horses with kissing spine showed the chance to graze and move around 24/7 is beneficial. I am elated to have found pasture board for my horse. I think my equine best friend is now supremely happy with his new living arrangements. Here are 9 reasons or benefits I have been pondering on the subject of pasture board for horses.

1. Friendship

The afternoon Knight moved in he immediately became friends with a retired Friesian gelding. It warms my heart to see them grazing next to each other, and it is sweet when I go to catch Knight, his pal follows along until we get to the gate. One of my first memories of Knight when I bought him about four years ago was hand walking him down the aisles at the first barn I boarded him and he struck me as very sociable. He wanted to visit certain horses who had their heads out over their stall doors. I’m thrilled he gets even more opportunities to be a social butterfly with the other horses in his small herd. 

2. Exposure to New and Novel Things

Across the street from Knight’s pasture are many soccer fields which on weekends turn into a complete zoo with cheering and families and traffic. The the first time I rode him near those conditions he did not care one bit. His pasture is also adjacent to the area where the fox hounds are exercised during the week therefore he is already been exposed to the smells, sight and possibly sounds of the pack. My hope is when he makes his foray into fox hunting he will feel comfortable with it because of the exposure he’s already had.

3. Play

Back when Knight was a stall dweller, he took opportunities to play with a particular neighbor and it was not always very constructive. In addition to the face tag he would dig holes next to their adjoining wall because he would paw the ground and act like he was charging (ridiculous, I know). Being in a field setting means that he can play unrestricted. The fun never needs to end! If I were a horse, I’d want to be with my besties 24/7.

4. Exercise

I no longer have guilt that if I don’t make it to the barn my horse is stuck in basically a compartment in which he can walk from one side to the other. Knight is able to move about freely and expend energy as he sees fit, and stay a little more fit. In days of yore, there were times when he would leap out of the stall like he could not escape fast enough. When I bring him in from his pasture, he is relaxed and mellow, following me like a lazy dog. So far he’s never had that look in his eye before riding that he needs a lunge before I hop on.

5. Freedom 

I got a cute text which the other day from one of the trainers. It was a selfie and Knight was lurking over her shoulder. The message read something about “My very talented assistant is helping me.” I found out later that it wasn’t just a one-time thing. Knight apparently likes to hang out with her by standing at the fence line when she teaches, and when she teaches on the cross country course (his home field) he will walk along with her. I asked, “Does he get excited and want to follow the other horse and go crazy?” Nope. He just wants to be a pet and follow her. I think the freedom to explore and be social and do what he feels like is key to his happiness.

6. Varied Footing Practice

The pasture Knight is in doubles as a cross country schooling field and has a bit of up-and-down terrain along with an area that in times of rain is a water jump. So this year it’s a full on small pond. (He hates water, so I’m pretty sure he won’t teach himself to go through it, but still–at least he sees it).

When I took Knight on our first trail ride this year, the footing changed constantly and there were ups and downs, and he seemed particularly sure footed. Maybe he has always been that way? Now that I’ve gone out on some fox hunts, I am more aware and more comfortable with ungroomed terrain. I am continually amazed at what the hunt horses navigate and wonder, “Can Knight do this too?” Until we find out next season, it makes me more confident that he is having practice on a daily basis of navigating different types of footing.

7. Healthy Lifestyle

Since I’ve owned him, Knight has had a history of intermittent colic (one episode warranted a 10-day stay at the equine hospital) and ulcer issues. Also, despite liberal feedings and a consultation with a nutritionist, I was never able to get enough weight on him. He has not had any episodes with colic or ulcers since he began his journey to pasture starting last June. The mere fact he can graze and there is always hay available has done wonders for his waistline and I’m assuming, his gut. 

8. Budget Friendly

I did a happy dance when I found out how much the pasture board rate was going to be at Knight’s new home. It is about half the price of what I had been paying for a stall at my local equestrian center. And I don’t have to pay extra for hay.

9. Reunited (and it feels so good)

When I head out into the field to catch Knight, he typically meets me halfway. Think of a movie scene with a much in love couple at opposite ends of a wheat field running toward each other and meeting in a joyous embrace. That is kind of us, but more low key. He raises his head when he sees me, I walk toward him and say, “Hi Knight.” He ambles my direction. I ready the halter for putting on. He reaches me, sniffing for treats and stands patiently while I flop the lead rope over his neck and buckle the leather strap. My heart is warmed.

Moving Knight to a pasture board setting makes me feel like I’ve come full circle in my horse keeping journey. I learned how to ride on borrowed horses who lived in a big field in the Midwest. My first horse Daytona was kept on pasture board. What was old is new again and I couldn’t be happier. And if we could interview him, I’m sure Knight would say the same thing.

Thanks for reading!

Question: What are your thoughts on pasture board? Have you ever experienced this style of horsekeeping? Can you think of a 10th benefit?

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