Good stable management practices are just as important when keeping horses at grass or turned out, as when keeping them stabled, however it is inevitable that they will not be watched with the scrutiny of stabled horses. On the upside, they can exercise at will.
is there a manure removal plan in place? where manure is scattered, is area unused for at least 3 weeks?
is there sufficient grazing space? (i.e. er 1,000lb of horse, .7 - 2.2 acres per month grazing space if not also growing/feeding hay)
is there a suitable/sufficient run in space? (i.e. 60-80 sq ft of floor space per 1000lb of horse. run in opening should be 10 ft, on the side away from prevailing winds, with heated water in winter, and no no sharp edges on internal structures)
is there enough shade? (100 sq ft per 1000lb of horse)
is there more than one pasture for rotational purposes?
is grass 50% max of feed requirement?
(guideline for older horse is 1-3% of their body weight, grazing = 90-100% of nutritional needs)
is the land free of poisonous plants?
(yew, oleander, water hemlock, jimsonweed, tall fescue, fallen red maple leaves, kliengrass, johnsongrass etc. etc. etc.)
[noxious weeds? what is feeding haylage? anthrax and botulism. yum.fallen red maple leaves are also poisonous for a few weeks after they have fallen.rotational grazing, aeration of compacted soils and clipping of pasture a few times a year.]
is it well drained?
is pasture grass rich enough in vitamins and minerals? fast growing?