A report from Konradsheim
Healthy soils are the foundation for healthy horses – we at Steinkraft are convinced of this. Especially in horse husbandry, where feed quality and pasture management are closely linked to the animals' well-being, it's worth taking a closer look. An example from the Lower Austrian mountains shows how KALKMEISTER liquid manure lime and bedding lime were able to transform meadows with a high buttercup content into dense, valuable forage grasslands – entirely without reseeding.
From problematic herbs to robust grasses
Many horse owners are familiar with this: meadows full of buttercups , cuckoo flowers, or dandelions. These plants may look pretty, but they are unsuitable for horses – buttercups, for example, are poisonous when fresh, and their nutritional value is low. In Konradsheim, it was shown that where KALKMEISTER was regularly applied as lime, these plants gradually disappeared – making way for robust forage grasses.
Why lime makes such a difference in horse pastures
Soil pH levels reveal a great deal about soil health. In Konradsheim, the pH level on untreated leased meadows was 5.4 – too acidic. Regularly limed areas, on the other hand, had a pH of 6.4, which is ideal for forage grasses. The difference was visible: dense growth, a healthy sward, and hardly any weeds. Horse owners know how important a stable sward is – it protects against trampling damage, prevents erosion, and provides a consistent supply of usable roughage.
Naturally, without upheaval – harnessing the power of the soil
Remarkably, the conversion was achieved without sowing or tilling. Through the continuous application of KALKMEISTER lime via the slurry and KALKMEISTER bedding lime in the grazing area, the meadow grass developed naturally – a wild type similar to Italian ryegrass. Fast-growing, robust, and with high yield – ideal for horse-friendly pasture management.
White clover also found its place: it grew lushly in sparse areas and naturally supplemented the grasses with protein and nutrients – a harmonious coexistence of grasses and legumes, as is desired in organic horse husbandry.
Improved soil structure – better for water, roots and nutrients
Liming with KALKMEISTER creates stable soil aggregates. These ensure good aeration, promote root growth, and improve water absorption. Especially with increasingly extreme weather events – long periods of drought alternating with heavy rainfall – a stable soil structure is invaluable. It protects against erosion, helps retain water, and makes the pasture more resilient.
Benefit: What horse owners gain from it
-
Fewer weeds in the pasture – in a completely natural way
-
More and denser forage grass – robust, resistant to trampling and tasty.
-
A healthy turf – less erosion and trampling damage
-
Improved feed quality – low enough energy for horses, but rich in structure
-
Sustainable soil improvement – without tilling, without chemical additives
Conclusion: A strong pasture begins in the soil
The Konradsheim case impressively demonstrates that when we give the soil what it needs, it rewards us with healthy, natural pasture forage. Especially in horse husbandry, where quality is often more important than sheer quantity, the support provided by KALKMEISTER is a simple, effective, and sustainable way to improve pasture management – for the benefit of animals, soil, and people.
👉 Here you'll find the product of the month and a good overview of all STEINKRAFT product lines.
👉 Here you can find all STEINKRAFT products at a glance - directly in the shop
