At our temporary location in Cedar Hill we've been blessed with help from our friends to tackle some ground chores! This past month volunteer and staff have been busy with mowing, trimming, pulling weeds, spraying (horse-friendly) weed control in the turnouts, and trimming and removing branches and brush from the 5 acre lot that Ride On St. Louis utilizes. Special thanks to John H., Dianne and Larry K., Joseph L., Katie L., Ron P., Ken S., BriAnn S. and Marita W. and extra special thanks to Joe R. for not only assisting in the improvements but also renting a riding mower and donating the cost.
Their efforts will help control pests like flies, mosquitoes and ticks, promote improved grass and grazing, and increase accessibility and safety for clients, volunteers, staff and horses. Why is mowing important in a horse pasture? Mowing reduces the ability of weeds to seed and choke out grass and makes the pasture more palatable and healthy. Because plants that are mowed are less likely to reach maturity to seed, nutrients in grass are used by the plant to increase nutrients instead. Because horses spend over 70% of their day foraging, this is very important for their digestive system and overall health. Horses have a tendency to graze in patterns, so mowing "ruffs" or areas that are less grazed helps balance pasture uniformity, too. Lastly, tall and especially weedy areas are a haven for pests like flies, mosquitoes and ticks that are not only annoying to horses, but also carry a variety of harmful pathogens. With a healthy pasture we can reduce our hay cost by up to 75%!
Since the ground we currently lease had been vacant for some time, there were many areas that needed a little TLC to restore both functionality and the beautiful aesthetics of the property. We are so thankful to be guests on this peaceful property and have the assistance of our friends!