Central Florida Horse Pastures

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Central Florida has two main pasture types: "Bottom Land Muck" and "Sugar Sand"

Bottom Land Muck: Basically a very rich loom of decayed vegetation. The depth of the "muck" can vary with the location and can be from several inches to several feet deep. Front End Loaders and Back Hoes have been known to sink completely out of site in some of the deeper muck. The area has to be cleared of a very dense forest that consists of Cypress, Bay, Red Maple, Slash Pine, Oak, and Cabbage Palm to list just a few of the species. Most of the Central Florida Counties have imposed very strict restrictions on clearing these wet land areas. If you can find an area that has been cleared it will sustain vigorous growth of Bahia grass as well as a large variety of unsuitable weeds, swamp grasses, and ferns. The down side of this type of pasture is that it will flood. Sometimes several times a year and sometimes only once every several years, but it will flood eventually.

Sugar Sand: This is the rest of Central Florida called, "High and Dry". These areas were the first to emerge from the ocean and were beach front property for the Native Americans. The soil consists of beach sand. There are deposits of clay below the sand in some areas but this is very inconsistent. These areas have a very dense growth of Sand Pine, Palmetto Palm, several varieties of Oak, vines, and a large variety of smaller vegetation. Both Bahia and Bermuda grass can be grown in these pastures but they are very fragile and extremely prone to drought. These pastures must be fertilized regularly and a strict rotation of grazing must be maintained. The positive aspect of these pastures is that they will not flood.

Central Florida has two general grasses for pastures: "Bahia" and "Bermuda"

Although there are several varieties of Bahia, Argentina Bahia is the preferred choice. It is drought resistant and very hardy. It has a tall seed pod that grows a foot or two high and will reseed the pasture naturally.

Bermuda grass is a little more complicated. Bermuda needs to be in full sun and heavily fertilized. It spreads rapidly and is also drought resistant. There are several varieties and each will only grow in specific regions.

I hope this is helpful to anyone who is planing on moving their horses to Central Florida. If you have any questions or comments please do not hesitate to contact me at www.JRHenline.com  or MailTo:John@JohnHenline.com.

John
J R Henline Realty
532 Valley Stream Drive
Geneva, FL 32732
407-451-5154