A colleague from Oklahoma is probably correct when he characterized the nutrition and feeding of horses as a livestock management system which has a general lack of research information and is thus dominated by misinformation, misinterpretation, old fables, myths, old wives tales, trade secrets, and just plan guessing. The fact that horses and mules often fall into the 'hobby' or 'pet' category adds an emotional element and lessens the influence of economics in forage and feeding decision-making. He goes on to remind us that a "pasture" may be a holding paddock, a run, or a large pasture. Priorities have to be established. Is the area mostly for exercise, etc.? Is it primarily for forage? Or do you genuinely expect both? The reality is that most of the small, over-stocked exercise areas and.runs in Iowa are not usually feasible to manage for significant forage production. It is probably best not to waste time and money trying to make them productive.