Rye grass?

[Leam_Carrie]

I am on heavy clay. I need to reseed parts of my winter grazing which are bare. Looking at meadow mania they do a rye grass free mix or one with... any views on this?

I did google and it seems rye grass may be too rich for horses and contribute to laminitis - but that it’s commonly used with horses so a bit conflicting. I do need something that will establish quickly and be hard wearing (probably not the right term for grass!!). My main concern is my mini Shetland as I’m always careful about what he has.

Thanks in advance

 

[PeterNatt]

We never use any Rye grass for our permanent grassland as although it is tough grass and will stand up well it is too rich for our horses.

 

[Leam_Carrie]

We never use any Rye grass for our permanent grassland as although it is tough grass and will stand up well it is too rich for our horses.

Thanks - that’s good to know. Sounds like the rye grass free is the way to go.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I wouldn't use rye either too rich

 

[Leam_Carrie]

I wouldn't use rye either too rich

I have a whole new respect for anyone with land since having fields for my horses. So much to learn. Thanks for the advice - I’ll order the rye grass free mix (and enjoy my free horse friendly wild flower seeds!)

 

[Pinkvboots]

That's what I would do but then I don't even seed mine it's old cattle grazing so it's rich enough.

 

[Wheels]

I live in an area where everyone else around me keep dairy herds.

Every other field within a few miles radius is ryegrass. It doesn't matter what I seed my field with, within a few years it will be mostly ryegrass anyway.

I went for one of the horse mixes that has a few different grasses in it in the hope that they will take hold so at least my horses might get a mix of grasses rather than all grass but I think that's the best I can do for them!

I restrict grazing in other ways if I need to.

 

[PeterNatt]

These are the suggested grasses:
Red Clover
White Clover
Chickery like lettuce
Plantin
Freddy Rye Grass
Timothy Grass
Dull Timothy Grass
Wild Flower Hay Crop