Mown grass in paddock?

[billylula]

Farmer who said he would come and top the paddock (he never came and that's another thread ) also said that he wouldn't pick up the cut grass but it would be cut very finely and just 'mulch' down over a week or so.

I've always thought that it is VERY BAD for ponies to eat mown grass. Do you have to pick up the grass or leave it for a while and if so how long before you can turn them out in it?

Thank you - this is our first pony - talk about learning curve!!!

 

[Sparkles]

If it's mostly thistles and crap grass getting topped and it's all been mulched, then it should be fine. Ours have always been ok as it's not 'mown' grass as such.

How big is your field? If it's small enough to rake it up, then I'd rake it up.

If not and it's quite a bit of grass getting done, wait 5 days and any cuttings should be fine after that.

 

[billylula]

Unfortunately it is lovely lush grass with loads of clover

NF is a scarily good doer so he is contained in a tiny corner at the moment. Can't wait to let him out a bit. Really need a friend for him to help eat all the lovely grazing!

 

[Sparkles]

Have a baby cob who'd rise to the challenge lol.

 

[Biradigo]

Best to wait at least a few days, to make sure it doesn't have any "rich" stuff in it anymore.

 

[billylula]

Thanks. So if we get it done at the weekend, he should be ok on it by the next weekend? Daughter convinced he will get colic unless we pick every last blade of grass up

 

[RutlandH2O]

If it gets wet and the sun comes out, don't let the pony near it! It will ferment. I'd rake up as much as possible, then, if the weather is dry, kick some of the left over cuttings to keep them thin and prevent fermentation. We've had this problem in the past. It is a back-breaking job, but better safe than sorry.

 

[Sparkles]

Nope he'll be fine You'll be able to tell for yourself...when it starts looking like hay and dried, it's a hint that it's safe. Pick a handful up and see how green and wet it still is and go from there. .

 

[billylula]

hellish.

 

[Crugeran Celt]

Had ours cut last weekend and spent two days raking it up, OH thought I was mad but wouldn't put horses out unless it was raked. Nearly lost my mare a few years back when one of my neighbours thought she might like some freshly cut grass and put her clippings over the hedge, severe bout of colic and vet call out bill!

 

[PeterNatt]

Why not use a cut and collector and that way it will be removed when cut?

 

[Twinkley Lights]

Hope it's ok Billyluva quick tip farmers rarley have a gadget to pick up or mulch properly its usually always a topper / mower.

As others have said if it's topped mown I usually leave a week or two if you can (I do in sections) if it's close mown and all picked up then I usually left them back in but we do this bit ourselves and can vouch for the absence of cuttings.