Need advice about managing grass for fatties ?

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Anna2015

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There is 7 horses and we have an 8 acre field and a 2 acres. All natives who are over weight a part from one 20 year old TB. We have too much grass! The 8 acres is probably 12 inches in length now the 2 acres is very over grazed.

This is where I am confused. Short stressed grass is meant to have a lot of sugar. Long grass is meant to have less but surly when a horse chomps long grass it leaves short grass exposed? So won't they just go back and eat the short?

Also the 2 acres I need to rest because if I keep over grazing it clover will start coming through but resting it will be too fattening for the fatties ?
 
I asked my vet this a few weeks ago. She said there was a study done recently and whilst there is more sugar in shorter grass/they're eating it as it grows, they're eating far less than if they were on a longer field and therefore it's safer/better for the horse. Strip grazing but having a 'back' fence and moving it along as you move the front fence was what she suguested, whilst muzzling them and getting them off the grass (even if just onto the bare paddock) for some of the time too
 
I have never worried about long grass in winter, we have often used it as almost foggage (standing hay) as it helps protect the ground.
Then in summer I favour a track, round the edge of the field, restricts grazing and keeps the fatties walking and means you can make hay off the middle, while strip grazing it a bit if you need to.
 
I have about 10 acres for 3 horses. They are on one field about 2 acres all spring and summer and I have now started strip grazing the rest. It usually lasts me to about December/January before I supplement with hay. I leave them with access to all 10 acres over winter so it doesn't get muddy then come spring pop them into one field whilst the others have spring and summer to grow. I dont rest the summer grazing at all.
 
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