Topped paddock

[Loula83]

Hi! I had my paddocks topped 11 days ago, when is safe for my pony to go bk on there to graze? the cuttings currently look like hay, they had dried out, had a few dry days and a few wet ones ?
Tia x

 

[Polos Mum]

rake it all up or wait for it to blow away?

 

[laura_nash]

I've always just put mine back on whenever I want after topping, never considered there is any danger. What would be the concern? Wet hay laying about the field is not that unusual in winter, so I'm not sure the difference with some piles of cuttings. Unless there was ragwort or anything in the field before it was topped of course.

 

[Loula83]

I've always just put mine back on whenever I want after topping, never considered there is any danger. What would be the concern? Wet hay laying about the field is not that unusual in winter, so I'm not sure the difference with some piles of cuttings. Unless there was ragwort or anything in the field before it was topped of course.

I was always under the impression it hadn’t to be certain amount of time, due to mould spores. I agree with you tbh, it’s literally IKEA hay that’s got wet sitting on top of some of the W grass now. No ragwort as I pulled it all a while bk xx

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

If your grass cuttings are dry that’s fine...if underneath is wet or damp and yellowing it is fermenting then the horses shouldn’t be eating it for fear of colic.

 

[teddypops]

My fields get topped with my ponies in them. However lots of people say topped when they mean mowed. When my fields are topped, it’s the rough grass and weeds that the ponies don’t eat anyway that are cut down.

 

[pixie]

mine stay in the paddock while its being topped. If its dry enough to be topped then it should be fine.

You only need to worry if it has been done when too wet underneath or if its been mowed.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Your only worry would be if the grass had been quite long so in significant heaps. Had this on our rented field once, topped too vigorously by the owner who didn't realise his topper was set too low. We had to go around scattering the thick bits as they were heating.

 

[irishdraft]

I always rake all the grass/ weeds up it goes rotten underneath if it's a few dry bits shouldn't be a problem

 

[honetpot]

Topping usually stimulate fresh growth, and they want to eat this rather than scraps of dried grass. I leave them on it unless its really long and thick, but in a couple of days they will leave the wilted stuff in favour of the fresh.