grazing with cows

[roshumphreys16]

I have been asked if cows can graze in the field with my ponies, I am not worried about them 'getting on' but I would like to know if this is OK with regard to the condition of the grazing, worms, etc. Can anyone help?

 

[scotsmare]

Personally I wouldn't as cows can be a bit thick and charge around for no reason - not sure I'd want my horse getting in the way of 30 tons of burgers

(My horses are on a farm - cows are in their own fields, horses in separate ones).

 

[Paint it Lucky]

I have known people graze horses with cows without problems. Cows are good in that horse worms can't survive in them so they help to reduce worm burdens. However i would be aware that cows are generally on very rich grazing, which can be unsuitable for horses (especially laminitic ponies!) so bare this in mind.

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

I don't know how they would affect the grazing but as far as the worms are concerned I don't think there would be a problem - I think its like sheep - different sorts of worms and they will act as a biological hoover! Mine are kept with sheep so no really the same at all - sorry!

 

[martlin]

QR
I graze horses with cattle with no troubles at all - cattle are less fussy grazers and tidy up the paddocks very well, also they do reduce the worm burden.

 

[Steeleydan]

I used to work some where that had cows with horses, they didnt bother the horses but when I went into the field they used to stare funny at me and start walking toward me I was petrified they would stampede me!! Also they can chew the tails as can sheep.

 

[jacaranda]

My horse grazes with cows with no problem and as the others have said the cows reduce the worm burden.

 

[Donkeymad]

Personally, I think it is a great idea, the only down side for me would be the cow pats in your field!

 

[Nudibranch]

Mine used to graze with cows and as others have said, they are good for reducing worms and they will also eat the bits the horses won't, and vice versa. If you're worried about them charging around you could always separate them with electric fencing but we never had any problems at all. In fact wish my YO would get some cows or sheep in - the grazing is a bit of a state.

 

[teddyt]

[ QUOTE ]
Personally, I think it is a great idea, the only down side for me would be the cow pats in your field!

[/ QUOTE ]
Ditto

 

[supagran]

When one of my horses was first put in with young calves they would all end up galloping round the field, but then settled down. In fact my mare because "leader of the herd" and would round the cattle up on her own. Never had a problem with tail chewing except when the calves first went out in the field, but then all I did was plait the horses' tail and it wasn't an issue then. As was said earlier, the only drawback was the colour of the horse when they roll in the cow pats!!!!

 

[custard]

[ QUOTE ]
Personally, I think it is a great idea, the only down side for me would be the cow pats in your field!

[/ QUOTE ]

On this note just a word of warning. My neighbour has ponies and year before last, her neighbours cows got in and stayed for several days, depositing plenty of muck in their wake. This acted as super rich instant fertiliser and at least one of the ponies got really bad laminitis shortly afterwards. Could have been co incidence but it would be enough to put me off, sheep on the other hand no problem and very beneficial for the grazing.

 

[fatpiggy]

I used to ride a pony that lived on a farm and shared the cows field. In fact his best mate was the bull - not good when you were trying to catch him! The only thing I'd be concerned with is that the farmer is wanting good grazing to either fatten them or encourage them to make more milk, depending on whether its dairy or beef cattle, but a horse owner needs poorer grazing to prevent weight gain.
Custardsmum - I very much doubt if the cowpoo caused the laminitis. For a start, the horses aren't going to graze anywhere near a cowpat so any fertilised grass wouldn't get into them. Also, sheep are far more efficient fertiliser spreaders than cows because they do little "pellets" all over the place. Your neighbour's pony's laminitis was probably just coincidence and brought on by good growing weather. My friend's pony got an attack last year for the first time in 15 years, despite being on a starvation paddock and stabled at night. Our grass is really rich and last summers wetter conditions just encouraged it. The vet said he'd seen loads more cases than in previous years.

 

[Tharg]

Is it dairy or cattle?

 

[Ashgrove]

Yesterday was the first day mine went out with the cows and calves (beef). We have lush grazing, so the ponies wear muzzles all year (in every night as a rest from the muzzles).
So far so good.