Biodiverse Grazing Mix for Horses

General purpose mix suitable for most soil types. Performs best in soils that are not chemically fertilised. Composition: 80 percent grasses, 20 percent herbs and wildflowers.

The herbal and wildflower component introduces functional diversity into the sward, supporting:

• Variation in rooting depth
• Access to a wider range of minerals
• Soil microbial activity
• Grazing choice for nutritional and behavioural enrichment

These species are included to support system function alongside grasses. Many are relatively lower in sugar compared to improved agricultural grasses, and their presence helps reduce overall sward sugar concentration.

The grass species have been selected for their relatively low sugar profile, grazing tolerance, growth habit, and contribution to soil structure.

20 percent herbal and wildflower species: Wild Carrot, Lady’s Bedstraw, Meadow or Tufted Vetchling, Birdsfoot Trefoil (Ag), Musk Mallow, Sainfoin (Ag), Ribwort Plantain, Salad Burnet, Self Heal, Common Sorrel, Dandelion, Rough Hawkbit, Lesser Knapweed, Cow Parsley, Red Clover (Ag)

80 percent traditional grass species:
Crested Dogstail, Red Fescue, Common Bent, Smaller Cat’s tail, Smooth stalked Meadow Grass, Cocksfoot

Intended use: Full paddock establishment or renovation

Sowing rate:

3 g per square metre for establishment

1 to 2 g per square metre for renovation and overseeding

Seed classification: UK native unless otherwise stated as agricultural (Ag)

Exact species proportions may vary slightly depending on seasonal seed availability and final testing. We reserve the right to substitute equivalent species where necessary.

This Biodiverse Grazing Mix is designed for full paddock establishment or renovation.

If you have patches or strips of bare soil that need seeding, our Wildflower Grazing Mix for Horses is designed for:

• Overseeding
• Patch repair
• Track edges
• High impact areas

If you would like a sward with a higher percentage of non grass species, you can purchase both the Wildflower Grazing Mix and the Biodiverse Grazing Mix and sow them together.

There is no single correct way to establish a sward (herbal ley). Guidance will vary depending on whether this mix is being used for new establishment, renovation, or post crop reseeding, as well as what equipment you have access to.

Sowing rates
For new establishment: 3 g per square metre (12 kg per acre)
For overseeding: 1 to 2 g per square metre (4 to 8 kg per acre)

For overseeding smaller areas, consider using the Wildflower Grazing Mix for Horses.

What determines success

Soil condition
Healthy, functional soil that is not over fertile gives the best results. You can learn how to support soil condition by taking our soil course.

Preparation method
For new establishment, existing surface vegetation should be buried.
For renovation and overseeding, graze the existing sward short so seed can reach the soil and seedlings can compete for light. Light harrowing can help create seed to soil contact, but avoid over harrowing. Excess disturbance and bare soil can create opportunities for perennial weeds to establish.

Sowing window
Sow in autumn or spring, or when there are at least 8 hours of daylight, light daily rain, and no frost.

Seed can be surface sown by machine or by hand. When sowing by hand, mixing seed with compost can help achieve more even distribution. Broadcast the seed and compost together.

Do not bury the seed. Press it into the ground to ensure good soil to seed contact.

Grazing pressure and rest
Rest is essential for establishment.
Our blog article, Supporting land without restricting horse movement, explores nine ways to rest land without compromising horse welfare
 

Many of the species in this mix are perennial and will take time to establish. Soon after sowing, there may be a flush of annual weeds from the soil seed bank. While these can look untidy, they provide shelter for young seedlings, support insects, and will die back naturally within the year.

As the annuals decline, the young sward will become established and can be managed through light grazing. Remove any toxic perennial weeds that establish alongside the herbal ley by hand.

Ongoing soil condition and grazing pressure will determine the character and success of the sward.

Meadow type grasslands are typically not cut or grazed from spring through to late July or August, allowing plants to flower and set seed. While this mix contains perennial species that do not rely on reseeding every year, allowing some seed return reduces the need for future overseeding.

Where possible, rotate grazing and consider fully resting fields between late March and early August at least once every three years, checking that seed has dropped before grazing resumes. This is optional, but it significantly improves long term sward persistence.

If you would like to learn more about supporting soil condition and pasture function, you can enrol in our soil course.

If you would like to understand why sward biodiversity matters, how diversity affects equine metabolic risk, and how to design grazing systems that reduce long term inputs, our educational courses explore pasture, soil, and horse welfare as connected systems.

They are designed to help you make decisions that fit your land, horses, and constraints, without enforcing rigid rules that don’t work in real world situations. 

You can explore our educational courses here. 

You have the right to return items within 14 days of receiving them, even if you simply change your mind. This is part of the Consumer Contracts Regulations. However, the returned items must be in their original, unopened packaging and in a resaleable condition and you will need to pay for and organise shipping. Upon receipt of the item, we will process the refund.

In the unlikely event that the items that arrive with you are faulty or damaged, send us photographs that show the damage/fault and we will issue a replacement.