Grass help!

Sambo

Sambo

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I am moving yards shortly to a 100 acre farm where paddocks are being fenced off, and are very generous sizes. There is a lot of grass there. It is a cattle farm, so the grass has an extremley high sugar content!

I have a rather chunky (fat) 14.2hh Welsh D, who will be sharing a paddock with his current field mates a 14.1 Welsh D and a 15.2 ISH. We will be having about 5 acres for the 3 of them.

I have bought him a muzzle, as I really don't want lami or colic.

We are movinga round April, which I know is just in time for spring grass... ooops...

Any suggestions as to what to do? The grass is pretty high already... can we mow it (I know they cant eat mowed grass), will it be OK by the time they get in? Or maybe get goats out there?!

Thanks in advance!!!
 
I'm not an expert but I don't think goats are great at getting grass short. I would certainly say something in there to eat it off is a good idea, can you get any sheep?
 
i dont have goats either lol... just wondering what would be best... RSPCA might have something I could loan?

Grass is definately over rated!!!!!
 
wellsat said:
I'm not an expert but I don't think goats are great at getting grass short. I would certainly say something in there to eat it off is a good idea, can you get any sheep?
Click to expand...

Goats or sheep would get the grass short - if anything goats would be better as they are more browsers than grazers so prefer longer grass. But either would do - whichever one you can borrow!
 
ive emailed about a couple of sheep on nfed...

just need to speak to farm owner and see if they'd mind! Definately got to be better than getting poorly/really fat horses!!
 
STOP!

you are better off leaving the grass long, its better to graze down older long grass than newer short grass, as this is the more sugar rich, I would suggest you look at strip grazing, or doughnut grazing............

it is a complete falacy to keep your horses on short grass, and restrictions, alow them to gradualy graze on it at first alowng them to rebalance their own sugar levels etc, and then continue to gradualy graze it down, alowing the grass eaten to grow through, but try to always have a patch grazed down.....

google grazing for laminitis, restictions............
 
I am afraid that grass pasture sown for cattle is completely unsuitable for horses as it is too high in nutritional value and has had a lot of fertilizer put on it over the years.
Horses are far safer on traditional pasture with lots of mixed grasses in it.
 
Agree with PeterNatt re unsuitability of 'cattle grass'. You probably will need to muzzle.

Re goats versus sheep. Remember you'll have to have sheep fencing to keep them in, and from my limited experience of goats (next door's) they're a total pain. They'll be on everybody else's paddocking but your own, and probably in the farmer's garden eating his Long Johns off his washing line!!!
 
OMG - so confused now!!!

The grass his just above the ankles now... I am worried though if we don't move till April that the grass will be even richer and longer.

I know its not great for horses... I have brought him a muzzle, but want to avoid if I can. We will definately strip graze - thats for sure. I would like to get out there with a mowed and make it all shorter - but I know that a definate noooo!

I know grass is richer when it shorter as its fresher, but what are the risks of colic if I turn them straight out onto longer high sugar grass??

Also, this is grass livery, so there is no stable to get them away from it at night... :S

Other than this, the yard is amazing... which is why I'm considering goat/sheep to keep the grass eaten!

ARRGGGHHHH HELLPPPPPPPP
 
There are regulations involved with keeping sheep. It's not like buying a horse and moving them when you wish. Besides they need different and specialist care for feet, wool and health. Forget that idea unless you are dedicated. Strip graze, be mean at first until they take the top off. They need a lot less grass than you might think they do.....
 
Yeh - I've read that site - its really good...

How does your pony cope?

I am thinking strip grazing and be very strict!
 
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