How soon to put horses on topped field?

[TheRedMare]

Hey there.

The field has been topped (where the horses aren't grazing currently) but I'd like to allow them more grass as the bit they're on is currently burnt off quite badly (as is in many places).

Considering it is dry as a bone here and not a spot of rain, when can they safely go back onto this bit of grass? I was estimating about Wednesday (field topped Saturday) but I wanted to see what other people did first. Currently feeding some hay to keep them happy.

(Separately, is there anything I can do with the leftover cut grass? Seems like an awful waste but I understand it had to be done to enourage healthy growth!)

Cheers!

Edited to add, the grass is cut fairly long and I was advised that they'd need to stay off until it dried out. It's not chopped finely in the slightest.

 

[Mule]

I leave it until the cut grass has dried. I had the impression that leaving the topped grass helps improve the quality of the grazing land. I don't know if this is actually true or it's just an assumption.

 

[TheRedMare]

Very likely to already be dry, in that case, though I'll check tomorrow. Everything is just baked... They wouldn't be going on any bits that would have been sheltered and possibly taking longer to dry and rain isn't coming until the end of the week, if that.

Thank you for helping!

 

[Mule]

Very likely to already be dry, in that case, though I'll check tomorrow. Everything is just baked... They wouldn't be going on any bits that would have been sheltered and possibly taking longer to dry and rain isn't coming until the end of the week, if that.

Thank you for helping!

You're welcome

 

[JillA]

Just double check there was no ragwort in it - that needs to totally biodegrade or the horses will eat it when it is dead

 

[Polos Mum]

If effectively you've cut hay but not bailed it I would strip graze it slowly and it will be like throwing large bales of fresh rich hay at them.

Then only start when the stuff lying on the ground looks like / smells like and feels like hay.

Look at the grass nodes (the hard bits in the stalks) if they are green it's still wet if they are brown it's dry,
Test lots of places in the field (edges, under thick bits and under trees take the longest)
Also twist it tightly round in a wisp and feel on you face whether there is still any wet in it.

 

[TigerTail]

As polos Mum said - also don’t turn them out in it til lunch time or late afternoon as you want it dry when they’re eating it as cut grass can harbour botulism, like lawn mowings and silage, which Horses can’t deal with

 

[Dubsie]

If anything like ours it is SO dry they just went straight out on it - was a field with the leftovers of the hay that was baled. Bone dry and still is after 2 months of zero rain.

 

[TheRedMare]

Found some green still that was damp inside when I split the stem so probably just going to rake back a couple of meters (doable where they are as electric fencing up) to give them the grass and chuck the topped stuff aside elsewhere. Thankfully, I know no ragwort as it's been maintained.