Common Equine Pasture Forages: Red Clover

Characteristics

• Short-lived perennial legume, well-adapted to cool summers with adequate moisture
• Dark pink/ purplish flower (modified raceme)
• Very hairy - stems, petioles and both sides of leaves are pubescent
• Growth habit varies form erect to prostrate
• Numerous stems with large trifoliate leaves
• Watermark "V" on leaves
• Deep tap root - 24 to 36 inches in length

Attributes

• Does not require nitrogen fertilizer
• Nitrogen - fixing nodules on roots can incorporate nitrogen from the atmosphere into protein
• Shade tolerant
• Higher tolerance of acidic soil than alfalfa
• Easily established

Limitations

• Low winter hardiness
• Low drought resistance
• Low to moderate tolerance to frequent grazing
• Moderate tolerance to wet soils
• Some varieties are susceptible to powdery mildew and anthracnose
• Short-lived - 2 to 3 years, new plants may develop from seeds
• Rhizoctonia fungus can grow on leaves and may irritate salivary glands of horse resulting in slobbering. Increased moisture and high humidity will increase fungal growth

Management

• Use in mixtures with cool season grasses
• Easily established using a no-till drill
• Best seeded with grasses at 6-8 lbs. per acre
• Easily seeded with a no-till drill
• Seed should be inoculated with Rhizobium trifolii bacteria
• Seed no deeper than 1/4 inch
• Can broadcast (frost seed) in late winter or early spring when soil is honeycombed
• Top dress annually with fertilizer based on a soil test report
• Add lime as needed to maintain soil pH above 6 to maximize nitrogen fixing ability

Red Clover flower and Distinct Leaf Markings