Soil sampling for horse paddocks

Why analyse soils in horse paddocks?

Horses ought to be grazed on grass grown on well-kept pasture with a variety of grasses grown on healthy soil within a specific pH range with a wide range of available nutrients. Health soil along with good horse pasture management has several benefits, including:

• Well managed sustainable grazing keeps horses healthier (mentally and physically)
• Grazing can make up a large part of your horse’s diet (where appropriate) thus saving you money on expensive hard feed.
• Tested and maintained paddocks increase the length of the grazing season and helps establish a strong sward which reduces poaching and weed growth.
• Suitably maintained grazing can minimise the occurrence of metabolic diseases like laminitis

Testing your paddock soil gives you the information required to maximise your grazing's potential for improving horse health nutrition.

HuttonSoils determine soil fertility and soil pH. Enabling horse owners and keepers to implement paddock management strategies for all types of horses and ponies. Managing soil inputs (organic & inorganic fertiliser) - low nitrogen products ought to be used - and monitoring pH ensures that nutrients and soil pH can be optimised for the health of your pasture.

What happens when analysing horse paddocks for grazing?

Soil samples are taken using the instructions supplied within the HuttonSoils sample kit and posted to the laboratory using the FreePost label within the kit.

Within the laboratory the soil samples are labelled and prepared prior to analysis. Soil fertility (concentrations of potassium (K), phosphorus (P) & magnesium (Mg)), the pH (whether the soil is acidic, neutral or alkaline) are determined to enable horse owners, stable owners and equestrian centres to manage their soils. Results are reported using our easy-to-read report via email.

How to sample your paddock?

Place an order for a soil sample kit online using our website. Using the FreePost service your soil samples are sent to our accredited laboratories. On receipt the samples are prepared and analysed. Data are reported in an easy-to-understand format via e-mail.

Costs for soil testing paddocks