grass cuttings

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alimb1

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Went to put horses out in field last night to find that farmer who owns the field trying to be helpfull had topped the entire field!!!Have forked up as much as I can but is the only field horses can go in at moment as other being rested for winter, so horses currently stabled much to their disgust! Does anyone know how long to wait before turning back out?Thanks
 
Ours have always stayed in the same field too with no ill effects. they also eat all the scrap haylage left round the edges when it's cut as well....
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It depends on how long the grass cuttings are. If they are short, like lawn cuttings, then watch out, if they are quite long, they should be OK.
 
I leave turned out too, whilst its being done
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But then its 10 acres, so if they are scared they can go away from the monster!!!!

Isnt it that grass clippings start to ferment when piled up...... if they are spread around they might just dry out????
 
With the short clippngs the horse does not have to chew very much, so little saliva is swallowed. The saliva is necessary to prevent the grass from fermenting in the stomach, hence the short lawn-like cuttings cause problems.
Yes, they will also start to ferment if piled up.
 
I've always found that as long as the cuttings are spread around, and not lying in clumps, and the weather is warm enough to dry them, then you should have no trouble.
Try and avoid thick piles of damp grass though.
 
We leave turned out while they are topping the fields. Long, well spread out grass cuttings seem to do them no harm.
 
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