Managing pasture for horses is challenging. We are constantly balancing welfare, safety and grass growth, often with limited opportunity to rest land. As a result, most equine pasture is under continuous pressure.
Many horse pastures are not underperforming due to poor care or bad intentions, but because the biological processes that allow pasture to function are rarely discussed or taught.
Soil is frequently stressed. Simplified, grass-dominant systems struggle to support soil biology, forage diversity and long-term resilience.
At Hoof and Habitat, we help horse owners move from grass-dependent systems towards functional pasture, improved biodiversity and healthier land — without increasing restriction, workload or complexity.
From Traditional Horse Pasture to Functional Land
Conventional horse pasture management has often prioritised:
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Maximising grass production
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Removing broadleaf plants like Ragwort and Docks
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Visual tidiness and short, lawn-like swards
Over time, this reduces plant diversity, simplifies soil biology and limits forage choice. Fields become more vulnerable to poaching, compaction and seasonal stress.
Functional horse pasture works differently. It focuses on:
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Keeping living roots in the soil for longer
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Supporting a wider range of plant species and growth structures
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Maintaining ground cover that protects soil and supports recovery
These changes do not require neglect or loss of control. They require understanding how horses interact with land, and how land responds in return.
Why Biodiversity Matters for Horses
Horses evolved to browse and select from a diverse range of plants. Grass alone cannot meet behavioural, nutritional or digestive needs.
In horse pasture, increased biodiversity can:
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Support natural foraging behaviour and self-selection
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Improve gut health and fibre diversity
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Reduce pressure on grass species
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Improve soil structure, drainage and recovery
This is about welfare and function, not appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is increasing biodiversity in horse pasture safe?
When done appropriately, yes. The key is plant choice, context and grazing pressure.
Not all wildflowers or herbs are suitable for horse pasture. Our approach focuses on species that support forage diversity, soil function and equine wellbeing, rather than visual appeal or rapid establishment alone.
Biodiversity is not added for its own sake. It is introduced to serve a function.
Will biodiversity-rich pasture make horses overweight or laminitic?
Risk is not determined by diversity alone, but by:
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Species composition
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Grazing pressure
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Rest periods
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Existing metabolic health
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Horse care and management
Simplified, grass-dominant systems can actually increase risk by concentrating sugars and reducing fibre diversity. Functional pasture focuses on choice, balance and regulation.
Do I need to rewild my land for this to work?
No. Rewilding is one possible outcome, not a requirement.
Many horse owners stop at improved soil function and increased plant diversity. Our education supports decision-making at every stage, from small changes within conventional systems through to more ecologically led approaches.
Are your seed mixes suitable for mixed and cross grazing?
Yes. Our mixes are designed with horses in mind first, while being suitable for cross grazing with donkeys, sheep, cattle and goats where appropriate.
This allows flexibility without compromising equine welfare.
How is this different from traditional horse pasture advice?
Much traditional advice focuses on control:
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Removing plants
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Increasing grass yield
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Managing symptoms rather than root causes
Our approach focuses on function:
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How soil biology supports recovery
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How plant diversity affects grazing behaviour
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How management decisions influence long-term resilience
We support informed choices, not rigid systems.
Horse-Focused Seed Mixes, Safe for Cross Grazing
Our seed mixes are designed with horses in mind first. They support equine wellbeing while also being suitable for cross grazing with donkeys, sheep, cattle and goats where appropriate.
Each mix is formulated to:
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Increase plant diversity safely
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Support soil function and recovery
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Integrate into existing horse pasture through overseeding
Practical Change, Not Ideology
Increasing biodiversity does not mean rewilding overnight. It often starts with:
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Improving soil function
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Targeted overseeding
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Adjusting grazing pressure rather than removing animals
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Strategic rest
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Allowing some plants to complete their life cycle
As soil function improves, some horse owners choose to explore rewilding approaches. Others stop at biodiversity-rich pasture. Both are valid.
Our role is to support informed decision-making, not prescribe outcomes.
Hoof and Habitat focuses on function over appearance, education over prescription, and welfare-led decision-making rather than rigid systems.
Customer Story
Due to some unfortunate, unforeseen circumstances, I had to allow one of my fields to be totally destroyed over the winter. The field was a mess, an embarrassment, and I found myself explaining and justifying the state of the field to whoever laid eyes on it. My intention was to 'sort the field out' before I allowed my horses to graze on the field.
However, circumstances led me to turn my horses out on the field of 'weeds' and I was absolutely blown away. They were selectively eating the 'weeds' and totally disregarded the 'grass'. I'm convinced that they are not designed to eat grass solely and require a balanced diet of different species beyond grass.
They are capable of self selection and so I believe it is our responsibility to provide them the ability to self select!
Helen Searle, freelance riding coach and yard owner
Five Star Customer Reviews
The British Rewilding Mix is the first seed blend I have found designed for both equine wellbeing and biodiversity. It has create more diversity within my field. Both my horses love the patches I overseeded and I’m excited to sow this blend further across my field.
Smallholding owner, Norfolk
Sian from Hoof and Habitat continues to provide some much needed support for our small herd of goats and my wife's 3 horses. We depend upon Hoof and Habitat to create some balance to our forage.
Simon Debondt, Smallholding Owner
I have nothing but praise for the team at Hoof and Habitat! Excellent service and support!
Nothing is too much for them and they absolutely care! I highly recommend them!
Helen Phillips, Yard Owner
Future Products
Is there a topic that you would like to be educated on, or a seed mix you daydream of being able to buy? Let us know!
Contact us if you own Horses, Ponies, Donkeys, Goats, Sheep or Cows and would like to work with us to develop and test seed mixes for these animals. All our mixes are developed to be sown and grown with sustainable and environmentally conscious land practices.
