Overall herbage quality improves when undesirable broad-leaved plants and their associated coarse stems are reduced or eliminated. Rid the area of potentially toxic plants and insects, and reduce or eliminate undesirable grasses such as annual three-awn and some of the volunteer naturalized winter annual grasses. The quantity of the desirable forage will increase because it produces more efficiently without weedy plant competition.

Blister beetle control is another reason to reduce broad-leaved weeds in horse-grazed areas because the beetles can congregate on some weeds. Blister beetles are a problem in alfalfa, and they also feed on pigweed, kochia, and other broad-leaved weeds. They also tend to congregate on some broad-leaved plants without feeding.

Pastures, runs, paddocks, and meadows can all be sprayed with herbicides for weedy plant control. Always read the container label for all the application information. Observe all precautions and grazing or haying restrictions. The herbicide choices are many, and the use of a given herbicide depends on the problem and objective.

1. Ally
2. Amber
3. Banvel
4. Grazon P+D (2, 4-D and picloram)
5. Rave
6. Remedy
7. Roundup
8. 2, 4-D
9. Weedmaster (2, 4-D and Banvel)

These herbicides and mixtures are used for special cases. Where there is a unique weedy plant problem, it is wise to consult a weed control specialist for a recommendation and precise recipe. Always follow the label guidelines. Be certain to have the proper permits and licenses to buy and use herbicides.

All of the herbicides above are used to control broad-leaved weeds after they emerge and begin growing. Numbers 3, 4, 6, and 9 are generally used to control weeds that are resistant to 2, 4-D alone or broad-leaved weeds stressed by something such as drought or maturity. Rates can be somewhat fitted to the need and objective. Remedy, Banvel, and Grazon P+D are also used for woody plant control.

If a pasture contains alfalfa or clovers, broad-leaved weeds can be controlled with 2, 4-DB. This chemical is not 2, 4-D, but 2, 4-DB. It has limited effect on alfalfa and many clovers, but it will kill vetch.

There are not any specific herbicide data relative to horse forage readily available. Guidelines must be the restrictions on the label.

Some of the postemergence herbicides have a grazing restriction of seven or more days. To simplify matters and ease uncertainty, consider as a guide that all pastures sprayed postemergence need a ten-day use deferment for horse pasture. It is wise to keep horses off sprayed pastures until the spray has dried to avoid chance of eye or skin irritation.

Some weeds accumulate higher nitrate content for a short time after being sprayed with 2, 4- D and possibly other postemergence herbicides. If these weeds are palatable and in good supply, it is conceivable a nitrate reaction in horses is possible, but the weed spraying itself is considered nontoxic.

The regular deferment periods recommended should take care of the potential problem. Some horse managers are petrified of using any herbicide because they lack chemical understanding and fear horse health problems with a high-value horse. There is no known serious problem with spraying a pasture properly, using approved herbicides, employing the stated deferment, and continuing the forage use. The advantages of spraying are great. Those who are extremely cautious should use the grazing-restriction guidelines above but also consider that, if it rained, the forage would be even cleaner. Some horse managers use herbicides regularly and have no reservations, because experience has proven the practice. Managers should be cautious of roadside spraying or such things as oil-field-site spraying where herbicides not approved for pasture are used.

Mowing can be done for weed control and aesthetic purposes. It is inferior to herbicides for weed control, but it does help. It should be considered a last resort, but sometimes it is the best choice if there is risk of herbicide damage to neighboring areas. Ideally, mowing should be done after the weeds have grown at least 12 inches and budding has started. Weeds will usually need to be mowed several times per season. Mowing is expensive, but it may have more real value when used in conjunction with aesthetic needs, weed control, and balance of forage use in the grazing approach.

Cattle can also be used as a partial aid in weed control because they graze certain broadleaved weeds differently than horses. We discuss cattle and horse combination grazing more in grazing management. Sheep and goat flocks are a great biological method of weed and brush control.

Perhaps the most important thing to consider regarding weeds is that all weeds are not undesirable. If a plant that is not the base forage for a pasture is present, consider its usefulness. If it is palatable, nutritious, and relatively nontoxic, use it - don't kill it. Use with good recovery periods often removes those plants and allows the base forage to dominate, especially if cattle or other stock can be used in conjunction with horses.

Brush control is a more variable management input than usual weed control, and we cannot cover the subject here. If brush control is needed, there are many methods, varying from hand controls to aerial application. Analyze the brush problems and seek advice from specialists to determine the best way to treat the problem.