Possibly a very stupid question...

ThePinkPony

ThePinkPony

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Apologies in advance if it is daft, but im getting conflicting information.

Our lawn is well overdue its first cut, and with the iminent (i hope) arrival of the pony, there is going to be a shedload of wasted grass cuttings.

I know you cant feed horses fresh grass cuttings, BUT a farmer friend said dry them out and they are perfectly fine to feed-apparently its just hay then... and ive never really tought about it but really, thats all hay is isnt it..

I cant find any information on the net about it and my horsey friends are all unsure, a couple said yeah use it and one said hell no!!

im :confused::confused::confused: and i have the sneaky feeling that im being incredibly stupid.
 
I'd say yes if totally dried out, but spread it thin on the ground so it dries all the way through.

Be interested though in what others say.
 
I would suggest the farmer is right... as long as you cut the grass and the sun keeps his hat on so it completely dries out properly it will be fine to feed as it will ultimately turn to hay; the problem will arise if the grass gets rained on then it will start to ferment and go bad... then you really musn't feed it to your horse!!!! Hope that helps :)
 
It very much depends what you cut the grass with, if you use a lawn mower, the grass gets mulched and is not suitable for drying out. You would need to use a topper, scythe of a flail mower.
 
You say your new pony is arriving? The grass/hay will be very sugary especially with dandelions in it so if it is a typical pony it might be too much? Just a thought
 
Hey if cut with a mower definately no the fumes, and if any rust, petrol or oil etc can cause bad problems! Also that kind of finely chopped grass won't ferment in the gut properly and is very likely to cause colic.
 
The reason I've been given not to feed grass cuttings is colic. Finely chopped grass cuttings stick together and could easily be swallowed in a 'lump' which could then cause a blockage in the gut. I have scattered them thinly on a bare paddock before to avoid that problem but my ponies didn't relish it as I thought they would. Have also tried to dry but not easy as they heat up and start to ferment very easily. Composting them is by far the best solution!
 
Thanks for the Advice.

Ive decided against it anyway as the chickens are coming first and ive used it for them to pick about in. i did think the dandelions were warning me about something but i couldnt quite remember what it was. She will totally be grazing in the garden, its big and takes alot of mowing :d

P.s, i call her pony more for the alliteration, but she is actually technically a horse.
 
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