Lawn clippings for donkeys

[Hazkirbo]

On my way to the yard we pass 2 lovely donkeys who seem happy and healthy. Recently their field has been mown and the clippings have been left all over for them to eat.

Obviously this worries me as horses can’t eat lawn clippings but maybe donkeys are different. Admittedly, I don’t know heaps on donks and maybe their stomachs are more hardy than horses?

Should I leave a note with some advice on why keeping the lawn clippings in is bad, or just keep my nose out?

What would you do?

 

[wkiwi]

track down owners of leave a note.
donkeys are even more susceptible to sugars than horses, and the quick ferment of the cut grass can increase sugar levels.

 

[only_me]

Has it been topped or mowed?

Leaving topped grass in field is fine for them to eat, mowed grass isn’t

 

[Hazkirbo]

Has it been topped or mowed?

Leaving topped grass in field is fine for them to eat, mowed grass isn’t

Pretty sure it’s mowed, clumps all over the field

 

[Quigleyandme]

I recall a news article in which a well meaning neighbour had tipped his lawn clippings in a paddock containing two donkeys that both subsequently died. There was no malice in it and the news article was to try and stop it happening again.

 

[Cecile]

I wouldn't worry if the paddocks have been topped especially with this heat wave but if its grass cuttings I'd pop to have a word as it could be someone throwing it in as donks and horses eat grass right = grass cuttings to some people is just grass

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/horrific-images-show-poisoned-ponies-14598376

 

[Identityincrisis]

So i know that mowed grass is bad for horses but I've never understood why?! No one I've spoken to has ever really had a fully informed reply, can someone explain, please?

If i hand picked some grass, say for a horse on box rest, is this ok?

Genuinely confused and very interested!

 

[millikins]

So i know that mowed grass is bad for horses but I've never understood why?! No one I've spoken to has ever really had a fully informed reply, can someone explain, please?

If i hand picked some grass, say for a horse on box rest, is this ok?

Genuinely confused and very interested!

Several reasons.

It is too easy for them to eat too much, too quickly.
It is already part mulched, it will start to ferment very quickly, large quantities of fermenting fodder can upset the gut balance leading to colic and laminitis.
It's clumpy and can cause choke.

Most members of the non horsey population need this explained, it is not unreasonable to think, well it's a horse, they eat grass so should be fine.

 

[be positive]

So i know that mowed grass is bad for horses but I've never understood why?! No one I've spoken to has ever really had a fully informed reply, can someone explain, please?

If i hand picked some grass, say for a horse on box rest, is this ok?

Genuinely confused and very interested!

As millikins says mowed grass is a risk, topped fields are usually fine as it is distributed more and they usually prefer the stuff that is growing, picking grass for hand feeding is no problem, I have pulled up a full net for one on box rest and fed with no reason to be concerned, they also enjoy nettles that are wilted which are safe to feed.