Clover an grazing

[Ragbea]

Does anyone have experience of lots of clover in a field, did it cause the horses any problems, colic etc
Thanks

 

[Quigleyandme]

The grass seed mix I reseeded with last year has a fair proportion of white clover in it. It hasn’t caused any issues with the horses and it is grand for bees.

 

[Cortez]

Clover is a very high protein forage, puts weight on quickly, and can cause photosensitivity burns on horses with white markings and/or pink skin.

 

[SEL]

Does anyone have experience of lots of clover in a field, did it cause the horses any problems, colic etc
Thanks

Nightmare for my metabolic one. Moved last Sept and we've very little clover - so far this spring no pulses.

 

[Horseysheepy]

Great for dairy cows and finishing lambs!

I'd avoid grazing horses or ponies with laminitis, overweight, Cushings if it dominates the grazing.

Can you get some sheep on it or strip graze to reduce intake?

 

[planete]

There is white clover in my rented field. I strip graze and feed some hay all the year round, counting droppings every day and checking the pony's weight every week. No problems so far. I reduce the main area of grazing gradually as the grass starts growing until we end up with a track, leaving the middle to regrow for winter forage.

 

[HeyMich]

It can be a problem for some mares. The clover contains a chemical that mimics oestrogens (phytoestrogen??) and can cause them to produce milk. I have to 'milk' my mare every May/June to relieve the pressure. The vet tells me not to worry, but it can't be pleasant for her!

 

[Horseysheepy]

It can be a problem for some mares. The clover contains a chemical that mimics oestrogens (phytoestrogen??) and can cause them to produce milk. I have to 'milk' my mare every May/June to relieve the pressure. The vet tells me not to worry, but it can't be pleasant for her!

My friend had a scare with a young mare she'd not long owned which suddenly came into milk, turned out it was the clover, thankfully!

 

[Birker2020]

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/clover

It can also cause ataxia if eaten in large quantities as this was something I was aware of when I was trying to work out why my previous horse kept getting ataxia and the vets and chiro kept telling me he didn't have wobblers.

 

[Goldenstar]

I get mine sprayed out now and again that’s four times in thirty or so years .

 

[Ragbea]

I get mine sprayed out now and again that’s four times in thirty or so years .

We have sprayed this week, so you havent had to do it every year, fingers crossed we dont either!

 

[Ragbea]

Thanks all, my pony has been showing colic symptoms for a few days, an generally unwell, really bloated, could barely walk! we have put it down to the clover as started after moving fields (2 weeks after) been scoped etc vet says it can cause similar problems in cattle!

 

[ycbm]

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/clover

It can also cause ataxia if eaten in large quantities as this was something I was aware of when I was trying to work out why my previous horse kept getting ataxia and the vets and chiro kept telling me he didn't have wobblers.

Just so people don't get scared, that's red cover and alsike cover, not white cover which is much more common.
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