Degrading Pasture Quality

[LostHillFarm]

What causes pasture quality to degrade?

Yesterday I had 7 horses and 2 foals in my starter pasture and suddenly my horses were losing weight and not getting enough food. When I investigated I found that the pasture quality was below 50% and the picture showed the same.

I've searched the forum and didn't find an answer...

I assume I had too many horses in the pasture? or do I need to allow a pasture to sit fallow after so many seasons or years? or mow more regularly? (I was only mowing occasionally when it was at 100% so I am certain that I didn't mow the grass that short)

Thanks

[BlackOak2]

What causes pasture quality to degrade?

Yesterday I had 7 horses and 2 foals in my starter pasture and suddenly my horses were losing weight and not getting enough food. When I investigated I found that the pasture quality was below 50% and the picture showed the same.

I've searched the forum and didn't find an answer...

I assume I had too many horses in the pasture? or do I need to allow a pasture to sit fallow after so many seasons or years? or mow more regularly? (I was only mowing occasionally when it was at 100% so I am certain that I didn't mow the grass that short)

Thanks

You offered the answer yourself. Pastures loose quality only because horses graze in it. You can put them in two separate pastures, offer them a barn or simply (as most of us do) supplement their grass a little with some grains. You can mow the pasture (this will offer a larger reduction in quality) to manually reduce the amount your horses can graze (for fat horses). Pastures regain their quality (regrow their grass) as time and seasons pass. Summer will regrow it quicker, winter at a much slower rate.
On your horses page, the question mark by stabling will offer more in depth information. As well as the information roll-over by the quality marker in your farm view.

[LostHillFarm]

Thanks!