Going from parched to poached strains both your soil biology and your pasture's root systems. However, with the right management strategy, you can protect your land, maintain grass cover, and produce high-quality grazing year-round.
Mitigating the Parched Phase (Drought & Heat)
When summer drought or heatwaves strike, pasture grass goes into survival mode. Grass can die back, leaving bare patches that weeds will eagerly claim come the autumn rains.
Adopt the following strategies to help minimise the worst effects of drought:
- Don’t cut dry pasture. Try and time any cutting activity carefully and leave grass at a minimum height of 7–10 cm when heatwaves start. This will help provide more shade for the soil, reduce evaporation, and protect the plant's crown.
- Use a biostimulant seaweed feed to help the grass cope with environmental stress. Emerald Pro is proven to help grass tolerate heat - it contains natural hormones (cytokinins) that help prevent the grass going into shut down mode. Apply this from May onwards
- Implement strip grazing or track systems. Restrict access to parched fields. Rotate horses through smaller sections to give tired paddocks time to recover.
- Over-seed with deep-rooting grass varieties. When autumn moisture returns, be ready to reseed damaged areas using drought-tolerant pasture mix containing deep-rooting species. Premier Paddock Mix with Herbs is a great drought-tolerant blend because it contains a variety of specific deep-rooting herbs including burnet and yarrow.
- Use a fertiliser that will support grass resilience. In a drought context, potassium is an important nutrient as it helps the grass close its pores (stomata) effectively to prevent water loss. Apply a pre-drought feed like High-K fertiliser in late spring if the ground is not already stressed by drought.
Managing the Poached Phase (Wet Weather & Mud)
As rain hits sun-compacted ground, water can't penetrate easily and can pool on the surface. Heavy hooves quickly churn up wet topsoil, destroying grass roots and creating poached mud traps around gateways and water troughs.
- Harrowing is one of the most effective ways to aerate the soil allowing oxygen to reach grass roots. It is also a beneficial way to remove dead grass; level out bumps and help break up clods. In poached areas of the field, harrowing will create a more even surface ready for the next steps. It also helps water infiltration allowing new seeds and growing grass to be properly fed.
- Protect high-traffic areas. Gateways, feed stations, and water troughs take the brunt of hoof damage. Consider laying heavy-duty ground reinforcement grids or hardcore bases to keep horses out of deep mud.
- Keep an eye on weeds. Before you think about reseeding, treat weeds that are in growth stage with a high-performing selective herbicide. Read our comparison guide to selectives to choose the right one for your situation.
- If you have treated weeds, observe any waiting period shown on the label before reseeding. Then reseed bare patches as follows:
- For small areas, use Premier Paddock Repair Seed Pack – perfect for those bare corners.
- For larger areas or if your field has suffered significant thinning, use Premier Paddock Mix with Herbs as described above or Premier Paddock Grass Seed. This mix contains creeping red fescue which helps crate a dense knit of grass – making the surface more durable against hoof traffic.
- Establish a sacrifice paddock. Dedicate one smaller, well-drained area or a hardstanding yard during prolonged wet spells. Restricting horses to this area saves the rest of your acreage from total turf destruction.
Seasonal Soil & Grass Repair
Soil that is rich in organic matter acts like a natural sponge: holding vital moisture during dry spells and absorbing excess rainfall during torrential downpours.
As well as adopting the strategies detailed above, regularly testing your pasture's soil can tell you the nutritional state of your soil so that you can take the correct remediation action and generate optimum soil health.
Get in touch with our equine team if you have any concerns relating to the impact of weather on your pasture health. All advice is free and tailored to your specific location and challenges.
This post was written in collaboration with Millie Wilkinson.
Millie Wilkinson
Millie Wilkinson is Agrigem's Account Manager in charge of equine customers. She has more than 12 years' experience in the equine sector including running her own yard, competing for the England team in the Pony Club, working as a showjumping competition groom, and latterly a showjumping coach.
Millie has ridden, owned, and sold horses her whole life. She is an established name online where she is an active voice in the latest conversations around elite horses. Millie is a keen proponent of good grazing nutrition and the importance of high-quality paddock maintenance in supporting the health of all horses.
Article Notes:
Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. For label and safety information, refer to the manufacturer’s website.
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