Grass seeding paddocks

[Thomasthecob]

Our paddocks are some what bare some grass but were grazed to death before we moved on so not a lot of grass so we have been looking at grass seeding one paddock obviously we would need to keep horse off the paddock whilst the seed takes but how long do you need to keep horses off a freshly seeded paddock? thanks

 

[PorkChop]

It takes approximately two weeks for intial germination.

If it is thinner patches or you are overseeding to get a more dense growth then I would leave 6-8 weeks.

If there are quite a few properly bare patches and larger areas then you would be better resting for the summer tbh.

 

[JillA]

18 months. Yes, honestly, if you want it to remain over time. You can crop it for hay the first summer but if you graze it, the young grass will be pulled out by its
roots and you will be back to square one next year. Even over seeding has the same problem - young grass without deep roots. I know. I did it one year and learned my lesson next time - cost me a couple of bags of good seed and the contractors bill to be right back where I started.
You might be surprised at how it will recover on its own, so long as you spray off any weeds with a selective herbicide - spray, then rest for three weeks and see where you are then? Autumn is the best time to reseed anyway, when the ground has warmed up and there is likely to be more rain than mid summer.

 

[honetpot]

It all depends if you are over sowing existing grass or its absolutely bare.
I have a winter thrash paddock which by the end of the winter is barren. As its always going to get trashed I buy the cheapest quickest germinating grass just to get some cover. It does mean its rye, so you have to be careful because it not really horse grass.
I use this round the gateways and walkways as well.
The proper grass paddocks that are a bit bare I harrow and buy horse and pony paddock grass which has finer grasses, without clover. I use,
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/The-Grass-...18769737&_sid=665417475&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322, as most equine/agricultural stores do not carry much stock and it comes in a couple of days.
If you want to rip it all up and start again its going to take up to two years before its horse proof and most of us can not lose the turnout.