Transition Mix for Horses

For landowners looking to move previously cultivated or high-input land towards a more diverse, functional grassland system. 

The Transition Mix combines traditional grasses with herbs, wildflowers and legumes, creating a more varied plant community than a conventional grass-only ley.

Category	Highlights
Transition from arable land	Designed to help establish a diverse grassland community following arable or higher-input land use, providing a foundation for future horse-friendly pasture management.
Botanical diversity	Contains 14 species, 20% of which are herbs, wildflowers or legumes. The mix introduces different rooting systems, growth habits and flowering periods into the developing sward. All species provide safe variety to the horse's diet.
Soil function	A mixture of grasses, deep-rooted herbs and legumes can contribute to rooting diversity, soil structure, biological activity and nutrient cycling as the sward develops.
Biological nitrogen fixation	Contains Sainfoin and Birdsfoot Trefoil, providing legumes capable of fixing nitrogen without relying on clover or fertilizers.
Pollinator and wildlife value	Knapweed, Oxeye Daisy, Wild Carrot, Dandelion and other flowering species provide resources for insects and contribute to a more ecologically functional grassland.
Clover-free option	Provides an alternative for landowners who want legumes within the sward but prefer not to establish a clover-containing pasture.
Long-term flexibility	Can be managed as a developing grassland, or potentially overseeded later with a grazing or hay mixture once the field has reached suitable conditions.
Functional plant community	Each species has been selected for its contribution to the developing system rather than simply for appearance or rapid grass production.

A diverse plant community does not guarantee a particular soil, nutritional or grazing outcome. How the sward develops will depend on the interaction between the seed mixture, existing vegetation, soil, climate and management.

That is why the Transition Mix is designed as part of a land-management process, rather than as a one-size-fits-all solution.

Developed for function, not just appearance

Every species in the Transition Mix has a role within the developing plant community. The aim is not simply to produce a field that looks colourful. 

Different plants contribute through:

Root depth and structure, Growing and Flowering period, Nitrogen fixation, Forage characteristics, Wildlife value, Drought tolerance, Botanical diversity, Nutrient cycling.

No single plant transforms a field. The function comes from the diverse community.

The Transition Mix contains 80% traditional grasses and 20% flowering species, herbs and legumes. It has been designed primarily for establishing grassland on land transitioning from arable or higher-input agricultural use.

80% traditional grasses: 

Crested Dogstail – 16%
A traditional meadow grass contributing to the structural diversity and persistence of the developing sward.

Chewings Fescue – 22%
A fine-leaved fescue selected as part of the lower-input grass component of the mixture.

Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass – 18%
A traditional meadow grass contributing to the permanent grass component of the developing pasture.

Rough Stalked Meadow Grass – 2%
A complementary meadow grass included at a lower proportion within the grass community.

Cocksfoot – 5%
A deeper-rooted grass contributing to structural and rooting diversity.

Meadow Fescue – 17%
A traditional meadow grass contributing to the structural foundation of the developing sward.

20% flowering species, herbs and legumes:

Sainfoin (Ag) – 4%
A nitrogen-fixing legume with a deep rooting habit, contributing botanical diversity and forage variety.

Plantain – 2%
A persistent herb with a strong root system, contributing to rooting and botanical diversity.

Knapweed – 5%
A long-lived flowering species that provides valuable resources for pollinators and contributes to the development of a diverse grassland community.

Oxeye Daisy – 5%
A characteristic grassland flower providing structural and seasonal diversity while supporting insects.

Salad Burnet – 1%
A drought-tolerant perennial contributing additional botanical and rooting diversity.

Birdsfoot Trefoil (Ag) – 1%
A nitrogen-fixing legume contributing to plant diversity and biological nutrient cycling.

Wild Carrot – 1%
A deep-rooted flowering species providing additional structural and botanical diversity.

Dandelion – 1%
A deep-rooted flowering plant contributing botanical diversity and providing an important early-season resource for insects.

Sowing rate for Establishment: approximately 12 kg per acre

Bag size: 12 kg bag – approximately 1 acre

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.

Choosing the right mix depends primarily on where your land is now and what you want it to become.

Choose the Transition Mix if you are:

• Wanting a clover-free mix
• Looking for a mix without Yellow Rattle
• Planning a transition towards horse-friendly, lower-input land
• Converting an arable field to grassland
• Rebuilding land following intensive agricultural use
• Starting with relatively high-fertility or highly productive land
• Looking to establish a diverse grassland before introducing grazing-specific seed
   

Choose the Biodiverse Grazing Mix if you are:

• Establishing a new horse paddock
• Renovating existing pasture
• Establishing a grazing-focused sward
• Reseeding large grazing areas
 

Choose the Wildflower Grazing Mix if you want to:

• Repair bare patches
• Enrich existing pasture
• Improve tired areas
• Increase plant diversity without reseeding the whole field
• Add wildflowers and legumes to an established grazing system

The Transition Mix and Biodiverse Grazing Mix can have different jobs in the same land-management plan. 

A field might be sown with the Transition Mix and provide the type of grassland you want.

A field might begin with the Transition Mix, spend several seasons developing, and later be overseeded with the Biodiverse Grazing Mix once conditions are appropriate.

Alternatively, if your field has not been reliant on heavy chemical inputs, you may be able to overseed with  Biodiverse Grazing Mix without using the transition mix first.

The aim is not to keep reseeding simply because a certain number of years has passed. The aim is to observe the land and respond to what it needs.

There is no single establishment method that is right for every field.

The best approach depends on:

• Previous land use
• Existing vegetation
• Soil condition
• Fertility
• Drainage
• Available equipment
• Existing weed pressure
• Grazing pressure
• Your long-term land-management goals

The objective is to create good seed-to-soil contact while disturbing as little soil as necessary.

1. Assess the existing field

Look at the plants: A field dominated by vigorous, nutrient-demanding vegetation may have a different fertility profile from an old, fine-leaved meadow containing many flowering species.

Some plants commonly associated with more fertile or disturbed conditions include:

• Nettles
• Chickweed
• Fat Hen
• Docks
• Thistles
• Cleavers
• Chickweed
• Rapidly growing agricultural grasses

These plants are clues rather than definitive indicators. Their presence does not tell you exactly how much nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium is in the soil.

Likewise, a field containing diverse, fine-leaved vegetation and established wildflowers may indicate a lower-input system, but this should still be considered alongside the field's history and soil condition.

Look at the field's history: Previous fertiliser, manure, slurry and cropping can all influence fertility.

A recently cropped or heavily fertilised field should not automatically be treated in exactly the same way as an old, low-input pasture.

2. Remove biomass

Not every field needs biomass removed, and not every field needs repeated biomass removal.

Where a field has a history of high nutrient inputs or is producing very vigorous vegetation, taking a cut and removing the biomass can help export excessive nutrients from the system.

3. Shallow cultivation

Not every field needs to be cultivated. Where cultivation is appropriate, disturb only the amount of soil necessary to create suitable seed-to-soil contact.

Avoid unnecessary deep cultivation where it does not serve a clear purpose as it can harm the soil structure and organisms living in the soil. 

The aim is to prepare a suitable seedbed while retaining as much existing soil structure as practical.

4. Create a stale seedbed

Allow existing weed seeds to germinate, and then carry out further shallow cultivation where appropriate.This can be particularly useful following arable production. It is not essential for every field, but can help reduce competition between weeds seeds and the seed that will be sown.

5. Surface broadcast

Broadcast the Transition Mix evenly across the prepared soil. Sow onto or close to the soil surface rather than burying the seed deeply. Press the seed firmly into the soil.

Roll only where necessary to achieve good seed-to-soil contact without creating unnecessary compaction.

The first year is an establishment and observation period.

The field may not immediately look like the grassland you are ultimately aiming to create.

Existing plants and seeds in the soil will continue to respond to disturbance and changing management. Annual weeds may appear, particularly where the soil has been cultivated.

This does not necessarily indicate that the establishment has failed. Instead, watch how the developing sward responds and manage it accordingly.

Managing competition

If vigorous vegetation begins to shade young seedlings, mowing or light grazing can be used to manage competition. As a general guide, where growth reaches approximately 100–150 mm, cutting or grazing back towards around 50 mm can help maintain light at ground level.

Where fertility is high, removing cuttings can also help continue nutrient export.

Do not automatically mow and remove biomass simply because the plants have reached a particular height. If growth is sparse and slow, repeated cutting may be unnecessary. If vigorous vegetation is rapidly becoming dense and competitive, intervention may be useful.

The aim is to provide the developing plant community with sufficient light, space and time to establish.

Expect change

The first year may include plants that were not deliberately sown. Disturbing soil can stimulate dormant seeds within the existing seed bank, resulting in a flush of annual weeds or other plants.

Some may be plants that are unwanted in the final sward, others may be plants that are highly desired! Many will naturally decline over time as the perennial sward establishes.

This is part of the transition process.

Observe the field rather than assuming that every unfamiliar plant needs to be removed. Toxic perennial weeds should still be identified and managed appropriately where necessary. For more information on how to handle unfamiliar plants, watch the webinar, “Poisonous plants and Safe Biodiversity for horses”.

The Transition Mix is intended to begin a process rather than create a finished ecosystem immediately.

How the field develops will depend on:

• Soil fertility
• Soil structure
• Drainage
• Weather
• Previous land use
• Existing seed bank
• Grazing pressure
• Cutting regime
• Biomass removal
• Time

Allow the sward to develop

Many of the species in the mix are perennial and will take time to establish.

The appearance of the field may change considerably between the first, second and third growing seasons.

Rather than judging success by how quickly the field looks like a finished meadow, look for signs that the plant community is becoming more diverse and established.

Allow flowering and self seeding

Once the sward is established, allowing plants to flower and set seed where practical can help maintain botanical diversity and reduce the need for future interventions like overseeding.

The appropriate cutting and grazing regime will depend on the type of grassland you are developing and your intended end use.

The transition takes time

For many fields, 2–3 years provides a useful period in which to observe how the sward develops and decide what the land needs next. This is not a requirement to reseed after three years.

The developing field may become a suitable long-term grassland in its own right.

Alternatively, you may decide to introduce another seed mixture once the land has moved sufficiently towards the conditions required for your chosen end use, for example a grazing pasture or hay field.

What to do next

There is no single correct endpoint. You can continue managing the developing sward if it is providing the type of pasture you want. You may decide to:

Establish a diverse grazing pasture by overseeding with the Biodiverse Grazing Mix for Horses.

Develop a hay meadow by overseeding with an appropriate hay mixture 

Continue with the Transition Mix and see what other plants appear from the soils seed bank. If you are happy with the developing clover-free pasture, there is no need to intervene further!

The important thing is to know your end goal and observe the land before deciding what it needs next.

Transitioning land is a process

Moving land from arable or high-input agricultural production towards horse-friendly, ecologically functional grassland is not simply a matter of putting seed in the ground.

The condition of the soil, existing vegetation, fertility, seed bank, weather and future management will all influence the result.

This is why Hoof & Habitat approaches pasture management as a system.

Horse pasture management is its own discipline. Great horse pasture management happens where agriculture, environmental sciences and equine sciences overlap.

The Transition Mix is therefore designed to be used alongside observation and appropriate land management rather than as a standalone fix.

Our educational resources explore how soil, pasture, biodiversity, grazing behaviour and horse welfare interact.

You can explore our educational webinars and courses to learn how to make decisions that fit your land, horses and practical constraints.

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Can I graze horses directly on the Transition Mix?

Yes. However, the field should be managed according to its stage of establishment and the needs of the developing plants.

Plants need sufficient time to establish roots and withstand grazing pressure.

Can I use this instead of the Biodiverse Grazing Mix?

Yes. The Transition Mix can provide a clover-free alternative for someone who wants a diverse grassland containing legumes but does not want clover.

Why is there no clover?

The Transition Mix has deliberately been formulated without clover.

This provides an option for horse and landowners who prefer a clover-free sward while still wanting legumes capable of biological nitrogen fixation to reduce reliance on nitrogen fertilisers.

The mix contains Sainfoin and Birdsfoot Trefoil for this purpose.

Why is there no Yellow Rattle?

Yellow Rattle is used in meadow creation because it is a hemiparasitic plant capable of reducing the vigour of grasses.

It's a useful tool, but there is some debate over its safety (contains iridoid glycosides) and it provides little forage benefits to horses.

Consequesntly, we decided not to use it for a seed mix which has the intended use of transitioning pasture to horse grazing and horse hay fields. 

Do I need to remove all the existing vegetation before sowing?

Not necessarily. The appropriate preparation depends on what is already growing, the condition of the soil and your objective.

Some fields may benefit from substantial preparation, particularly following arable production. Others may require less disturbance. The goal is to create suitable seed-to-soil contact without unnecessarily disrupting the soil.

Do I have to remove biomass before sowing?

No. Biomass removal is a management tool, not a universal requirement.

Where fertility is high and vegetation is vigorous, removing cut material can help export nutrients. Where fertility is already relatively low, extensive biomass removal may be unhelpful.

Do I need a soil test?

Not necessarily. A soil test can provide useful information however, you can learn a great deal by combining observations of the vegetation, soil structure and field history.

If the results of your observations are unclear, or your pasture doesn’t appear to be improving despite your efforts and time, a soil test may be worthwhile.

How do I know whether my field is too fertile?

There is no single plant that can tell you exactly how fertile a field is. Instead, look at the whole picture.

Consider:

• Which plants dominate
• How vigorously the vegetation grows
• Whether the sward is dense or sparse
• The amount of flowering diversity already present
• Previous fertiliser, manure or slurry applications
• Previous arable use
• Soil structure and organic matter

Plants such as nettles, docks, thistles, chickweed and vigorous agricultural grasses can provide clues about nutrient availability or disturbance, but they are indicators, not objective measurements.

Will I get weeds after sowing?

Possibly. Cultivation can stimulate seeds already present in the soil, so annual weeds and pioneer plants may appear during establishment.

Do I need to mow during the first year?

Not necessarily. Mowing can be useful where vigorous vegetation is shading young seedlings or becoming too competitive. Where growth is sparse, repeated mowing may be unnecessary.

Should I remove the cuttings?

It depends on the fertility and management objectives of the field.

If you are trying to gradually reduce fertility, removing cuttings (biomass) exports nutrients from the system. If fertility is already relatively low, leaving biomass may sometimes be appropriate.

How long does the transition take?

Every field is different. Weather, fertility, soil condition, previous land use, existing vegetation and grazing pressure can all affect establishment.

For many fields, 2–3 years is a useful period for observing how the developing grassland responds and deciding what to do next.

This does not mean the field can’t be used for grazing or making hay for the first three years - it can, if it grows appropriately.

What should I sow after the Transition Mix?

That depends on what the field has become and what you want it to do.

If your aim is horse grazing, the Biodiverse Grazing Mix for Horses may be appropriate once conditions are suitable.

If your aim is horse hay, an appropriate hay mixture may be considered.

You may decide that the developing Transition Mix already provides the type of grassland you want. Let the land and your goal tell you what it needs next.

Can I use this for horse hay?

The Transition Mix can be cut for hay. This mix is designed to enable a longer-term grassland restoration strategy where commercial hay production is the eventual objective.

This mix is compatible with the SFI Countryside Stewardship scheme (Herbal Ley - GS4, SAM3, CSAM3) and reduces the need for nitrogen inputs. 

Is the Transition Mix suitable for all soil types?

It is designed to be a general purpose mix suitable for a broad range of UK soils, but no seed mixture can overcome extreme soil conditions on its own.

Drainage, compaction, fertility and soil structure will affect establishment. Where soil conditions are severely limiting, addressing the underlying constraint may be more important than simply adding more seed.

Can I overseed the Transition Mix later?

Yes. Once the developing sward has established and conditions are suitable, it can potentially be overseeded with a grazing or hay mixture.

Will I need to reseed every few years?

Not necessarily. The objective is to establish a functioning plant community that can persist under appropriate management.

Perennial species can remain within the sward for many years and will self seed if allowed to complete their lifecycle.

Future overseeding should be based on the condition and composition of the field rather than a predetermined reseeding schedule.

Is this mix safe for horses?

Yes the mixture has been developed with horse-friendly land management in mind. However, please remember that no seed mixture can make a pasture safe for horses as land management, weather and other factors such as the soil seed bank also contribute to the final sward.

How much area does one bag cover?

One 12 kg bag is designed for approximately one acre of establishment at approximately 12 kg per acre.

Can I make a bulk order?

Yes. Please email info@hoofandhabitat.co.uk before ordering so we can discuss bulk pricing and delivery options.

Where can I learn more about transitioning land?

Hoof & Habitat's educational resources explore pasture management, soil health, biodiversity and horse welfare as connected systems.

They are designed to empower you to make decisions appropriate to your own land. Explore our educational collection here.