Feeding hand picked grass?

[Stubbornmare]

As our pony is on complete box rest at the moment (she is however allowed out for in-hand grazing) we wondered what the rules are for handpicking some grass for her. I know you can't give a horse grass cut by machinery, but what are the rules for hand picked grass?

 

[hellybelly6]

I did this for my horse when he was on bed rest with a tendon injury.

I picked him grass, dandelions, hawthorn branches, cleavers. Go easy on the grass though as I was amazed at how quickly he ate it all.

 

[Chico Mio]

[ QUOTE ]
I know you can't give a horse grass cut by machinery, but what are the rules for hand picked grass?

[/ QUOTE ]

I 'know' you can't, but I do! I would never feed my horse lawn cuttings or grass that had been cut by a strimmer. But, over here they have these weird sit on grass cutters that the small holders use to cut hay (which is subsequently dried and stacked). They also cut long green grass and bring it in as animal fodder, I quite often get offered it for the horses. As long as it is fresh I will take it and feed it the same day as it is exactly the same as it being cut with a scythe. If any is left I spread it about to dry and then feed it when it is more haylike. Leaving it stacked up damp and warm would make it ferment and then it would be trouble! I also use to cut and feed whole green oats.

In short, if you cut it cleanly and give her a little at a time I can't see you having a problem.

 

[kerilli]

as long as it is long pieces of grass, (not short pieces stuck together the way it comes out of a lawnmower) it's fine.

 

[Honeypots]

The problem with lawn cuttings is they start to ferment very quickly and can cause colic.
Hand picking grass is no problem at all and I do it daily for my ponies and guinea pigs

 

[glenruby]

Hand picking grass is great for a horse on box rest, especilly if they are poorly or off their food. Most studs and vets will hand pick grass for their horses on box rest. We used to give 4 large muck buckets to an in foal broodmare who was confined to the stable when her filly fractured her pedal bone. Horse also gotad lib hay and small amt of grain

 

[Donkeymad]

As long as the grass is long it will be fine. They must chew it properly hence short grass is not suitable.

 

[kellyeaton]

ya there will be no probs with hand picked grass try and find hawthrone danolions nettles etc it will love that!