The contribution of Horse Pasture Fertilizers can not be overlooked in taking care of forage production. Who does not want a good yield of quality forage and healthy grass, it is next to impossible without a fertilization program in place.
Be it Kentucky grass, novel tall fescue, orchardgrass, hybrid bermudagrass, or any other warm or cold season grass, all these pasture grasses need good fertilizers to grow and treat deficiencies.
This guide is going to help you get familiar with some of the best fertilizers for pasture fields.
11 Best Fertilizer for Horse Pasture
We have narrowed down some best fertilizers for the horse pasture
- Best Overall: Super Juice All in One Soluble Supplement
- Cheap in the price: Natural Liquid Fertilizer 16-4-8 NPK Gallon
- Best weed and feed: Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Weed & Feed
- Nitrogen fertilizer for horse pasture: Milorganite 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer
- Best liquid fertilizer for pasture: GS Plant Foods Hay and Pasture
- Best for money: The Anderson PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer
- Sulfur pellets: Walt’s Elemental Sulfur Pellets 20 LB
- Best for thick growth: Scotts Turf Builder Thick’R Lawn Sun & Shade
- High in performance: JR Peters Inc Jacks Prof77900 Fertilizer
- Best granular fertilizer: Urea 99+% Pure Commercial Grade 46-0-0 Granular Fertilizer
- Best for color enhancement: Gordon’s Tankables Lawn & Pasture Fertilizer
1. Super Juice All in One Soluble Supplement Lawn Fertilizer
Super Juice fertilizer is the supplier of all the essential supplements that a horse pasture requires. This all-in-one grass food eliminates the need for buying multiple feeds to treat different nutrient deficiencies.
Having a good NPK proportion of 14-2-4 improves the overall plant growth and turf building capacity. The super juice feed, Nitrogenous in nature makes the pasture so lush and healthy that everyone will be green with envy.
The new improved formula contains 4% iron which is responsible for the deeper green pasture color.
Application
Super Juice all-in-one feed comes in a dry mix. Mix water with the fertilizer and spray using a hose.
It fertilizes an acre of lawn in a 14-2-4 ratio and two acres at half strength in 7-1-2.
Nutrients uptake starts within 1-4 hours of applications and the pasture start showing results in 5-12 days.
2. Natural Liquid Fertilizer 16-4-8 NPK Gallon
This Bio-enhanced NPK fertilizer got all the essential nutrients that the horse pasture needs. With Nitrogen being a major nutrient, the prospect of flush pasture with this natural liquid fertilizer is quite high.
Nitrogen (N) works to make the pasture nutritious and vibrant in color, Phosphorus (P) promises strong root establishment and timely maturity, Potassium(K) helps with the overall growth and reproduction of plants.
This liquid natural fertilizer shows great outcomes on a horse pasture and the user enjoys early vegetation flush. This natural fertilizer with sufficient nitrogen promotes healthy pasture growth.
Application
Use 1 tablespoon of the fertilizer per quart of water. Load the sprayer either Knapsack, ATV, 3 points, UTV sprayer, and apply light mists on the pasture. 1000 square feet area can be fertilized with10 ounces.
3. Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Weed & Feed
Winter can be cruel for the growth of horse pasture. To ensure optimal growth in fall, the pasture needs all the essential food supplements to grow and counter the harsh weather conditions.
This turf builder fertilizer repairs the damages of the summer and ensures winter blooms. It prepares the roots for the harsh winter conditions.
Scotts Turf Builder works for all types of grass. It boosts up water absorption and nutrients penetration.
Application
Fall is the best time to feed pasture with the Scotts Turf Builder. Start fertilizing from the perimeter and then fill in the middle. Read instructions on the bag for proper spread.
4. Milorganite 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer
A good nitrogen amount never hurts. Plants begin to die and turn yellow because of the low availability of Nitrogen at the root zone.
Milorganite is trusted for over 90 years for fulfilling plants’ nutrients requirements. This fertilizer is formulated with organic fertilizer which other than helping the soil structure build-up also poses no threat to the horse health.
The slow-release nature of the fertilizer allows small, steady release of nutrients at the root zone over a course of time.
This Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer has an NPK content of 5-2-0 and the secret ingredient includes 4% Iron. All the ingredients work to promote growth, enhance color, and hold moisture.
Application
The recommended application is four times each year. However, if you fertilize once a year, feed it in the fall. It has an indefinite shelf life if stored in a dry place.
One 32 lbs bag is sufficient for 2500 square feet. When sprinkled on the pasture, it gives a repellent smell to keep pests away.
5. GS Plant Foods Hay & Pasture Formula
This fertilizer formula is specially made for pasture. It provides extra nutrition, vitamins, minerals, omega oil, and sugar content. It helps manure to breakdown effectively.GS Plant food provides growth of more dung beetles, earthworms, and Nitrogen in the soil.
We included this fertilizer in the top because GS plant pood is specifically made for pastures. It provides a place for beneficial bacteria and other microbes.
It is even beneficial for lower quality soils. This fertilizer improves drought tolerance, improves yield, and increases minerals with humic acid. It promotes the growth of Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria.
6. The Anderson PGF Complete 16-4-8 Fertilizer with Humic DG
Up next is another complete fertilizer supplying all the essential plant nutrients. All the nutrients are packed in one bag to make pasture fields lush and healthier.
Another great thing that a user would like is that the feed comes in superfine particles. For ample nutrients supply, superfine particles deliver double the particles per square foot.
What attracts the user most, is its slow release build, which ensures nutrients availability for a longer period (up to 8 weeks, on average).
Anderson PGF’s complete fertilizer fights problems of low fertility, improves soil health for plants to process nutrients better.
Application
Apply when the pasture field is dry. After application, to help particle move into the turf canopy, water in with a minimum of 0.2 inches.
Do not collect clippings at least one mowing as you might end up picking the particles.
7. Walt’s Elemental Sulfur Pellets 20 LB
These Walt’s Elemental Sulfur Pellets are credited for boosting the rate of protein formation in the horse pasture.
As the name suggests, the active ingredient in Walt’s Pellets is 100% sulfur. It works for a variety of horse pastures by stimulating growth and nutrition absorption.
100% sulfur content guarantees greener pasture fields all year long. Sulfur restraint the pasture from yellowing.
Sulfur is also well known for lowering the pH of the soil. When acidic soil is desired for plantation, use sulfur pellets for lowering pH.
Application
These sulfur pellets do not require preparations and mixing for application. Simply, spread the pellets professionally and you are good to go.
8. Scotts Turf Builder Thick’R Lawn Sun & Shade
Another gem by Scotts Turf Builder. If you desire thicker, greener pasture, then this fertilizer by Scotts is your answer.
If the pasture has turned weak and thin, these products thicken it by providing all the essential nutrients at the root zone.
It just not fertilizes but rather improves the soil to set a stage for abundant lush growth. Its soil-improving features make it a favorite among users.
What’s best about this fertilizer is the presence of grass seed in the mix. That’s how the smart formulation helps in thickening the grass by filling the gaps.
This 3-in-1 solution contains seed, fertilizer, and soil improver.
Application
Prepare the soil before application by mowing the soil to the height of 2 inches or lower. Remove the debris and dead grass to loosen the top layer of the soil.
Now the soil is ready for applications. Use a spreader to apply to the required area. For the first two weeks of applications, water regularly to keep the soil moist.
The fertilizer shows results within 35 days of application if it is applied and cared for as per the instructions.
9. JR Peters Inc Jacks Prof77900 High-Performance Fertilizer
JR Peters Inc is known for working hard at building efficient fertilizers using new and traditional blending methods.
One such fertilizer from JR Peters Inc is Jack Prof77900, having an NPK proportion of 25-5-5, with a proportion like this expect healthier, lush pasture fields.
What sets this fertilizer apart is its NPK proportion, it is not easy to find a fertilizer with such maximum NPK delivery.
With Nitrogen (N) being a major nutrient, it supports plant growth and enhances color, Phosphorus (P) strengthens the root system, whereas the Potassium (K) helps in sustaining overall growth and reproduction.
Added macro secondary and micronutrients boost up the growth rate by multiple times. This fertilizer works to supply all the nutrients to heavy feeding plants in moderate to warm temperatures.
Application
Make a solution before application. As the fertilizer is made from 100% soluble raw material, it will form a true solution with warm water. Mix the fertilizer with water and it is ready to use.
It can be used as continuous liquids feed and periodic feed alike. Read the label on how much to apply per the plant species.
10. Urea 99+% Pure Commercial Grade 46-0-0 Granular Fertilizer
A plant requires a higher Nitrogen concentration than any other nutrients. Plant turn yellow or begin to die if they lack Nitrogen.
The same is the case with horse pasture, not enough Nitrogen is going to hurt eventually. Therefore, this Urea 99+% Granular fertilizer meets all the Nitrogen requirements of the pasture field.
Urea fertilizer, being granular, releases the nutrients where it’s needed the most, the roots.
Urea is used worldwide as a Nitrogen source. It combats problems caused by Nitrogen deficiency like abnormal growth and yellowing of leaves.
Application
It can be applied after being mixed with water. When diluted with water, the mix is neither acidic nor alkaline. After dilution with water, it is ready to be applied.
11. Gordon’s Tankables Lawn & Pasture Fertilizer
Best Concentrated liquid fertilizer in the list.2.5 gallons of Gordon’s Tankables covers approximately 15,000 sq. ft area. This fertilizer is very quick in action. It contains an extra amount of iron which promotes root and leaves growth.
Gordon’s Tankable pasture fertilizer promotes the growth of beneficial microbes and soil fixing bacteria.
It provides easy application with instruction paper. The shiny feature of this fertilizer is that it is specific in action for pastures.
Buying Guide For Best Horse Pasture Fertilizer
A buying guide is supposed to tell you what to look for in a horse pasture fertilizer but not what to buy. The most widely used plant feeds are NPK fertilizers. A periodic NPK delivery is essential for the plant’s growth and sustainability.
In an NPK fertilizer, N stands for Nitrogen, P for Phosphorus, and K for Potassium. Many fertilizers often have added micronutrients in the formulation.
An NPK fertilized having 14-2-4 written over it means it has 14% Nitrogen, 2% Phosphorus, 4% Potassium. A fertilizer having all these three essential nutrients is said to be a complete fertilizer and vice versa.
It is the soil testing that is the ultimate decider if the field needs complete fertilizer or just an individual nutrient one.
The soil testing fails to give any number on the Nitrogen availability as Nitrogen is rapidly mobile. However, it does tell if the soil needs P and K or not.
For pasture fields, nitrogenous fertilizer is required because of the high nitrogen demand of the field. On average, the desired concentration of Nitrogen is 90 pounds per acre in a year.
Nitrogen for Pasture Fields
Nitrogen is the key component responsible for the abundant growth and vibrant color of the field. Slow growth and yellowing of pasture is an indication that it needs Nitrogen.
Nitrogen Application on Pasture Fields
- Nitrogen is barely needed during spring as the grass growth is at its prime, however, a little quantity is not going to hurt. A light Nitrogen application is going to spike up the growth rate for farms with high stocking rates and intensive grazing.Some times high nitrogen favors weeds you can review our best weed killer for pasture list to get rid.
- Split application of Nitrogen (30-60 pounds per acre) in winter goes a long way as the pasture growth is stunted during the winter season.
- In summer, Nitrogen fertilization is recommended during the harvest time.
Phosphorus & Potassium for Pasture Field
Phosphorus & Potassium helps in the proper functioning of grass fields. They work by improving growth, metabolism, reproduction, and soil fertility. P & K also help in the breaking of nutrients and activation of growth-related enzymes.
Application
Their application is not restricted by any season. These nutrients can be applied whenever the weather is favorable or when there is a deficiency.
How To Manage Your Pasture
Let’s hand you some useful tips on how to manage your pasture
- Care for the pasture feed by looking out for weeds and legumes.
- An effective plan for high forage yield
- Test your soil and apply fertilizer
- Distribute the forage supply between the number of animals
- Alternate grazing period keeping in mind the rest or recovery period.
FAQs
Can you fertilize a pasture with horses on it?
That’s a big no-no. Fertilizing a pasture with horses on it is going to have some consequences. Horses should be removed from the premises when the pasture is fertilized.
How can I improve my horse’s pasture?
Follow these steps to improve the horse’s pasture
- Improve soil fertility
- Pasture renovation to fix unproductive areas
- Manage grazing pattern by separating the grazing area into smaller fields
- Control weel growth
- Fertilize.
How soon can you put horses on pasture after fertilizing?
After the application of fertilizer, do not allow the entry of any horse in the fertilized field as the naive horse may end up consuming the fertilizer which may lead to health deterioration.
Do not lift restrictions on the horse’s
entry in the pasteurized field until
- a downpour of half an inch
- If the rain does not fall, for 2-3 days
- till the fertilizer is completely absorbed in the soil
Let them graze once the fertilizer is dissolved in the soil.
Will fertilizer hurt horses?
Yes, it is capable of hurting the horse. Horses may face some health issues when they become exposed to eating fertilized forages and drinking contaminated water.
Should I mow my horse pasture?
Yes, it is recommended for healthier, productive horse pastures. Mowing at the height of 4-6 inches is a good pasture management practice to control weeds and uneven grass.
How big should a pasture be for 2 horses?
Pastures should be large enough to accommodate for rotational grazing. For two 2 adult horses, a one-acre pasture would be enough to graze.
How many pounds of fertilizer do you need per acre of pasture?
Approximately 50 pounds. However, this number changes depending upon the nutrients deficiency and pasture conditions.
What fertilizer is safe for horses?
It is said that organic fertilizers are safer for animals. However, ideally, it is best if they are not in the grazing field when fertilizer is applied.
Conclusion
When we put all this together, we get to know that horse pasture can not have a quality yield without a fertilization plan. Our pick is Jacks Prof77900 High-Performance Fertilizer as it delivers NPK in ample quantity to fulfill plant needs. However, you can select a fertilizer depending on the pasture conditions and the availability of soil nutrients.
