HORSE GRAZING UNDER COLD AND WET CONDITIONS - A REVIEW

This review paper summarises information on some aspects of horse graz ing with special reference to areas where summer temperature is limite d, winters are cool or cold, and precipitation is generally high. Due to their excellent ability to utilize herbage of variable quality with a high fibre content, horses are well-adapted to grazing a range of p lant species and pasture types. Although grasses are the most preferre d species by horses, several other vegetation species are eaten depend ing on factors such as season and grazing intensity. Horse growth rate s compare favourably with those of other livestock species, even when they were grazed on poor quality pastures, such as mires. The ability to accumulate much body fat in summer, which can be mobilized as a sou rce of energy in winter, is of great importance in free-ranging horses . Mixed grazing of horses with sheep and/or cattle may lead to improve d grassland management, both from ecological and economic points of vi ew.