Planning to fertilize your horse pasture? Not sure how to and when to do it in the right way? Like golf courses, horse pastures also require great care. One of the best ways to care for your horse is to care for its paddock.
There are multiple factors why the grass in your horse pasture does not grow properly, improper fertilizing being one of them. The persistence of a productive pasture relies on applying the right fertilizer at the right time. This is when the need for browsing the top fertilizers for horse pasture arises. Hence, we have compiled a guide to help you in choosing the best horse pasture fertilizer. Read on to get familiar with the best fertilizer for horse pasture.
Overview of the Top Fertilizers for Horse Pasture
Comparison Table
| Fertilizer | Release Time | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Super Juice All in One Soluble Supplement Lawn Fertilizer | 10-12 days | Easy application, fast absorption, improved formula with more iron, promotes lush growth |
| The Andersons Professional PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer | Up to 8 weeks | Slow-release, all essential nutrients combined, suitable for any grass type |
| Scotts Green Max Lawn Food | 3 days | Dual-action formula for rapid greening, high iron content, applies to any grass type, avoids staining surfaces |
| Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food | N/A | Provides optimal winter growth, strengthens roots, improves water absorption and nutrient penetration |
| The Andersons PGF Balanced 10-10-10 Fertilizer | Up to 8 weeks | Complete fertilizer with balanced nutrients, slow-release build, suitable for any grass type |
| Scotts Turf Builder Thick’R Lawn Sun & Shade | Up to 7 weeks | 3-in-1 solution with seed, fertilizer, and soil improver, repairs weak and thin grass, promotes lush growth |
| Natural Liquid Fertilizer 16-4-8 NPK Gallon | N/A | Sugar-based chelation process, bio stimulator, contains trace elements and vitamins, promotes green growth and winterizes the lawn |
Ranking List
1. Super Juice All in One Soluble Supplement Lawn Fertilizer – Best Overall
Super Juice stands out as the best overall fertilizer due to its easy application, quick absorption, improved formula with increased iron content, and ability to promote lush growth in just 10-12 days.
2. The Andersons Professional PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer – Best for Soil Health
The Andersons PGF Complete is recognized for its ability to improve soil health by supplying essential plant nutrients, its slow-release formula that provides continuous feeding for up to 8 weeks, and its suitability for all grass types.
3. Scotts Green Max Lawn Food – Fastest Results
Scotts Green Max delivers quick results in just 3 days, thanks to its dual-action formula and high iron content. It applies to any grass type and avoids staining surfaces, making it a top choice for rapid greening.
4. Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food – Best for Winter Preparation
Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard ensures optimal grass growth during winter by providing necessary nutrients, strengthening roots, and improving water absorption and nutrient penetration. It’s ideal for preparing your pasture for harsh winter conditions.
5. The Andersons PGF Balanced 10-10-10 Fertilizer – Best Commercial-Grade Fertilizer
The Andersons PGF Balanced Fertilizer is a high-quality commercial-grade option that supplies all essential nutrients. Its slow-release formula ensures availability for up to 8 weeks, making it a reliable choice for consistent and balanced fertilization.
6. Scotts Turf Builder Thick’R Lawn Sun & Shade – Best for Thickening Weak Grass
Scotts Turf Builder Thick’R Lawn Sun & Shade is awarded for its unique 3-in-1 solution that repairs weak and thin grass by filling gaps with seed, fertilizer, and soil improver. It promotes thicker and healthier grass growth within 35 days.
7. Natural Liquid Fertilizer 16-4-8 NPK Gallon – Best Liquid Fertilizer
Natural Liquid Fertilizer receives recognition as the best liquid fertilizer due to its bio-enhanced formula, sugar chelation process for increased nutrient uptake, and the inclusion of trace elements and vitamins for promoting green growth and winterizing the lawn.
7 Best Fertilizers for Horse Pasture
A well-maintained pasture gives maximum forage output and reduces the cost of additional horse nutritional supplements. The use of relevant fertilizer after proper soil tests provides healthy lush green pastures. On the contrary, more nutrients will result in a nutrient imbalance in the soil.
The next section of this article comprises a detailed review of the 7 best fertilizers that give the dark, healthier turf to the horse meadows.
1. Super Juice All in One Soluble Supplement Lawn Fertilizer – Best Overall
The Super Juice All in One Soluble Supplement Lawn Fertilizer is widely regarded as the all-in-one complete balanced fertilizer for the pasture field. It is an amazing nutritional supplement that ensures the return of vibrant green leafy vegetation to your horse field pasture.
The nutrient richness can be analyzed that the half concentration would be enough to treat a full acre of pasture. Accordingly, you can use a bag of this nitrogen fertilizer to treat 2 acres. The application of this fertilizer is super easy, as it comes as a dry mix. Simply mix it in water and you are ready for application to your horse pasture field, using a hose-end sprayer. Moreover, its updated formula contains more iron (4%) and makes the pasture so lush that the owner will start swinging in joy. It absorbs in the soil within 4 to 5 hours of application and the pasture start showing results in 10-12 days.
Pros
- More iron contents
- Balanced nitrogen proportion
- Half concentration would be enough for one acre.
Cons
- A bit messy due to dry mix
2. The Andersons Professional PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer – Best for Soil Health
The next best fertilizer on the list that fights the problems of low fertility is Andersons Professional PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer. It improves soil health by supplying all the essential plant nutrients to the pasture field.
What attracts the horse owners most is that all the essential nutrients are combined in a bag to improve soil health. It comes in superfine particles that cover double areas. Furthermore, it is a slow-releasing fertilizer that continues feeding plants for up to 8 weeks. You just have to be more cautious to follow the watering routine a minimum of two inches deep after its application. The fertilizer is easily applicable and the best fit for any type of grass.
Don’t forget to read the instructions to get the maximum out of it. The right time to apply it is when the pasture is dry. Coupled with, its slow release ensures nutrient availability for a longer period with zero biowastes.
Pros
- Slow-release formula
- Comes in super fine powder
- Balanced fertilizer with NPK of 16-4-8
- Availability of nutrients for a longer time
Cons
- A bit heavy on pocket
3. Scotts Green Max Lawn Food – Fastest Results
Moving forward, the next best fertilizer for horse paddocks on the list is Scotts Green Max Lawn Food – Lawn Fertilizer Plus Iron Supplement. It has the ability to feed your lawn effectively and provides lush green pastures in just 3 days due to its dual-action formula. Compared to other horse pasture feeds, it contains more iron (5%0 which promotes greening in a pasture in no time. Each grain of the fertilizer is rich with nutritional supplements that the grass field will grow to the maximum without leaving any patches. As a part of the Scotts lawn care plan, it applies to any grass type in spring, summer, and fall time.
However, due to fewer side effects, it is ok to enter the pasture after the fertilizer is applied. Plus, its special formulation avoids staining concrete, driveways, and other surfaces in your horse pasture.
Pros
- Avoid staining concrete and driveways
- Applicable to all grass types
- Reduced side effects
- Iron-rich fertilizer gives vibrant green vegetation
Cons
- NPK ratio is not clearly mentioned
4. Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food – Best for Winter Preparation
Winter can be harsh for the grass in horse paddocks. Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food ensures the optimal growth of grass in horse pasture by providing the soil with all the required food supplements. Additionally, it gives strength to the plants to combat cruel winter conditions. This turf builder fertilizer is strong enough that by a single application of this feed, the new round of grass with a stronger root network. However, it shows the best results on all grass types. It prepares the roots to grow and encounter harsh winter conditions. Also, it boosts up water absorption and nutrient penetration.
Fall is the right time to feed Scott turf builder in the horse paddock field. First, apply on the perimeter and then move to the middle of the pasture for best results. However, read instructions on the bag for proper spread and to get maximum output.
Pros
- Ensures stronger grass-root network
- Best suited for winter
- Fit for all grass types
- Promotes water efficacy and absorption
Cons
- Can burn out grass if applied heavily
5. The Andersons PGF Balanced 10-10-10 Fertilizer – Best Commercial-Grade Fertilizer
If you’re looking for a high-quality commercial-grade fertilizer, then you can never go wrong with The Andersons 10-10-10 PGF Balanced Fertilizer.
The particle size of the fertilizer is extremely fine. This ensures that every area of your horse paddock receives an equal amount of nutrients. You can say it is a complete fertilizer supplying all the essential plant nutrients.
Another great feature of this amazing fertilizer is its slow-release build which guarantees the availability of the nutrients for a longer period. To your amazement, one bag is enough to feed pasture up to 8 weeks on average.
Likewise, it fights low fertility, improves soil health to make horse pasture fields look lush and healthier. It can be applied on any grass type at any time but is ideal for spring and fall application.
The best usage practice is to mow first and apply to dry foliage and then water in thoroughly.
Pros
- Ideal NPK ratio of 10-10-10
- Quick-release nitrogen supply
- 5000 square feet of coverage per bag
- Longer availability of nutrients to the soil
Cons
- You may find it expensive
6. Scotts Turf Builder Thick’R Lawn Sun & Shade – Best for Thickening Weak Grass
Review another best product by Scott turf builder to help you establish a thicker and greener horse pasture. If the grass in your horse pasture has turned weak and thin, then Scotts Turf Builder Thick’R Lawn Sun & Shade – 3 in 1 Lawn Fertilizer by turf builder is exactly what you need. It repairs the soil to set a stage for abundant lush growth. Its soil-improving formula is what attracts the customers most. The magic lies in the formulation, presence of grass seeds in the mix. Now you can clearly understand that how it thickens the grass – yes, by filling the gaps. Thus, this fertilizer is a 3 in 1 solution that contains seed, fertilizer, and soil improver.
Before application, first, prepare the soil by mowing to the height of 2 inches or lower. Then apply it using the spreader to the required area. After application, water regularly to keep the soil moist at least for two weeks. You can get desired results within 35 days if applied and cared for as per the instructions.
Pros
- 3 in 1 fertilizer
- Thickens the grass by filling the patches
- Repairs soil
- Thickens pasture by filling the gaps
Cons
- Undefined NPK ratio
7. Natural Liquid Fertilizer 16-4-8 NPK Gallon – Best Liquid Fertilizer
To meet the nutritional needs of the grass field, this liquid bio-enhanced NPK fertilizer Natural Liquid Fertilizer 16-4-8 NPK Gallon works great as the grass needs nutrition for its growth.
The fertilizer is designed by utilizing a sugar-based sugar chelation process that increases the uptake of the product in the leaf of the plant. This acts as a bio stimulator by feeding the soil. Moreover, the liquid horse pasture fertilizer also contains vitamin B1, B12, and plant hormones such as gibberellins, indole acetic acid, and auxin.
Moreover, it also contains trace elements such as boron, iron, zinc, cobalt, manganese, molybdenum, and sulfur. It promotes green growth and also works as a lawn winterized in the fall. The shiny feature of this liquid fertilizer is its easy application on the pasture field. Highly recommended, if you want to see your pasture and healthier.
Pros
- Gives amazing dark green color
- Amazing combination of plant growth hormones
- Presence of trace elements zinc, boron, cobalt
Cons
- Doesn’t mix very well
How to Choose the Best Fertilizer for Horse Pasture
Are you planning on fertilizing the pasture for your horses? Do you fear that something may go wrong? Don’t stress out. We have got your back! As a horse keeper, it is advantageous to dedicate a few acres to grow a pasture. It helps in saving a hefty sum of money. But maintaining the quality of the grass is another challenging yet mandatory duty to fulfill.
Adding fertilizers to the pasture improves the quality of the grass. It makes up for deficiencies of nutrients and, as a result, fulfills your horse’s need for additional nutritional supplements. Good quality pasture makes your horse develop a healthy physique along with fast metabolism etc.
Many horse keepers end up making mistakes while looking for the best fertilizer for the horse pasture. Here are some of the important factors you should consider before choosing the fertilizer:
Soil Sampling of Pasture Soil
As the name suggests, soil sampling is a technique that requires you to analyze the nutrient content of the soil. It helps you understand the requirements and deficiencies of the land so you can add the fertilizers accordingly.
If the pasture soil is nutrient-deficient and lacks essential minerals, the pasture will not yield products up to your expectations. Soil sampling and analysis are vital to growing a healthy and best-quality horse pasture.
Grazing Pattern of Horses
Horses are known to be grazers. They eat little at a time but eat frequently at short time intervals. It results in about 17 to 20 grazing periods per day. Naturally, horses live off a fiber-based diet. So the fertilizer you choose must be enriched in fiber content to meet the horse’s feeding requirements.
To learn whether the added fertilizer plan is suitable for your horse, make sure to observe its grazing pattern. If the horse shows signs of refusal towards eating from the pasture, consider changing the fertilizer plan.
The Right Time of Applying Fertilizer
The timing of applying fertilizer also drastically affects the outcomes. Fertilizers give the best results when they are applied at the right time. Every grass has a different ideal time of fertilizer application. The cool-season grasses including, bluegrass, orchardgrass, and bromegrass, should be fertilized at the start of spring to attain more benefits.
If you accidentally skip applying fertilizers to the grass during early spring, you can add it in late spring. However, it is recommended to fertilize horse pasture in early spring.
Types of Fertilizers (Liquid vs Granular)
Fertilizers can either be in liquid or granular form. When adding fertilizer to the horse pasture, choose liquid ones. It is because they even out the soil pH more efficiently. You can avail them easily from an online or local fertilizer store.
The granular fertilizers are better off as health boosters for horse pasture. Such fertilizers contain a high amount of salts, which can potentially burn and damage the grass. Each pellet holds an unequal amount of nutrients, which results in an imbalanced distribution of nutrients.
Choosing the Right Fertilizer Material
Horse pasture requires fertilizers that are rich in nitrogen contents. However, fertilizers containing phosphorous and potassium are also in use. An ideal fertilizer contains large amounts of nitrogen with balanced amounts of phosphorous and potassium. Such a fertilizer does a great job in providing healthy and nutrition-filled grass for horses.
Experts recommend performing a soil test before adding any fertilizer. It helps you discover everything you are exactly looking for. Careful thinking and tests help reap fruitful outcomes.
Method of Fertilizer Application for Horse Pasture
To see the best results of the added fertilizer, make sure to follow the method of application given below.
- Mow the land of pasture and take out weeds from it. It makes the soil look neater and easier to work with.
- Apply the fertilizer while following the instructions written at the back of the package.
- Avoid adding water to the newly fertilized pasture for at least 24 hours.
The horse can start grazing the pasture after the first rainfall. The instructions at the back of the fertilizer package will suggest the correct method and time of application. Give the instructions a thorough read to avoid any mishaps and reap the best results.
Why Trust HorsyPlanet?
When it comes to choosing the best fertilizers for your horse pasture, you can trust HorsyPlanet as your reliable source of information. HorsyPlanet is a trusted blog dedicated to providing valuable insights and recommendations for horse owners and enthusiasts.
At HorsyPlanet, we understand the importance of thorough analysis and research when selecting the right products. That’s why we have carefully evaluated and considered various factors to ensure that we bring you the absolute best options for horse pasture fertilizers.
Our team of experts has extensively studied the composition, effectiveness, and application methods of each fertilizer. We have taken into account factors such as nutrient richness, slow-release capabilities, suitability for different grass types, and the ability to promote lush and healthy growth.
By putting these fertilizers through rigorous scrutiny, we aim to provide our readers with accurate and unbiased recommendations. You can trust HorsyPlanet’s selection because it is based on a comprehensive analysis, ensuring that the fertilizers we endorse meet the highest standards of quality and effectiveness.
FAQs Regarding Best Fertilizer for Horse Pasture
Soil fertility is the main force behind forage yield in horse pastures. However, it is critical to provide the grass with adequate nutrients. That is why you should be careful in picking the fertilizer for your horse’s pasture. Here are some frequently asked questions related to the best fertilizer for horse pasture.
Fertilizer use in springtime (April or May) increases summer yield, whereas spraying in summertime (in mid of June) increases autumn yield. It is advised for split doses to divide the entire quantity of fertilizer required into two portions, utilizing half in springtime and the other half in the summertime.
Forages with exceptionally high nitrate concentration can cause possible horse health issues. Fertilizer should not be sprayed in horse regions. To avoid horses from mistakenly swallowing the fertilizers, horse entrance to the fertilized field will need to be restricted.
Limit horse entry unless at least a half-inch of rain has occurred or for 23 weeks in the case of no rainfall. If you do, properly clean it up and, if required, wash it. Keep horses away from fertilized pastures until it rains.
“Mowing” refers to the act of trimming grass. It is the method of cutting grass to a similar level in a pasture or yard. The primary purpose of pasture maintenance is to keep or improve grass quality.
Daily mowing is critical for maintaining safe and productive pastures for horses. Mowing of horse pasture at the height of 4 to 6 inches is an effective approach for controlling many pests, “leveling out” grass growth and encouraging tillering of pasture grass species to strengthen the stem.
The most prevalent causes of nitrate toxicity in horses are polluted groundwater, direct fertilizer intake, or the eating of fodder cultivated in the region of spilled fertilizer. Horses must usually be taken from freshly fertilized pastures and returned after a light rain. It is advisable to avoid grazing for 3 to 4 weeks after spraying nitrogen fertilizer.
Horses can be susceptible to nitrates by the consumption of fertilizer or poisonous forages, as well as through drinking polluted water. Since horses lack a rumen, so they are generally tolerant to nitrate poisoning.
When soil is fertilized, grass stems absorb a large amount of chemical nitrogen, resulting in fast growth. If your horse consumes it in this condition, it may become nitrate poisoned and die. High nitrate consumption reduces the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity, resulting in stress, higher respiration rate, and breathing trouble.
One of the most important things to remember while caring for a horse pasture field is to use the best horse pasture fertilizer. Scotts Horse Pasture Fertilizer is safe for horse pasture. This fertilizer is suitable for all types of grass. As the name implies, it is recommended to use it at any time of year since it aids in the growth of deep roots and the healing of damage caused by the summer heat and droughts.
There are several ways you can improve a horse’s pasture. Some of these are mentioned below:
– Clear garbage from the property on a daily or weekly basis or before it rains.
– Fertilize as well as lime your pastures when needed, depending on your soil test results.
– Trimming grass ensures that fresh growth is sensitive and nourishing for horses.
– It is critical to control pests in horse pastures. Mowing the horse pasture at the height of 4 to 6 inches is an effective approach for controlling many pests.
– Enhance the topsoil in your pasture. If you haven’t tested your fields for nutrient concentration during the last 2-3 years, now is an excellent time to do so.
Cool-season grasses like orchard grass, timothy, and tall fescue have been the most often cultivated plants for hay. Every one of these grass varieties has a high nitrogen (N) fertilizer need. A common suggestion for N fertilizer is 40 lbs of nitrogen per ton for predicted hay production. A soil test helps you determine how much phosphorus to apply; typically, 20-40 lbs per acre can boost legumes production in most hay fields.
Conclusion
There is hardly any horse owner who wouldn’t want a great pasture for their equine buddy to graze on; but what makes a pasture suitable to serve the purpose? The answer is, horse pasture fertilizers!
While usual fertilizers can facilitate the growth of rich green fields, they are likely to contain harmful pesticides that shouldn’t be part of a horse’s diet, obviously. This is why you need to check out various horse pasture fertilizers on sale to determine which type would suit you, and your pet, the best.
Although each of the reviews above features the top fertilizers for horse pastures, we found the Super Juice all in one Soluble Supplement to be the most balanced fertilizer for horse paddocks. Nonetheless, you can always go for other kinds of horse pasture fertilizers like nitrogen and liquid ones as per your preference and suitability. Just one bag and you’re good to let your horse graze happily on the nutritious ground. Which one is your favorite?
