Topping fields

[malibu211211]

Is it safe to put horses out on fields where the grass has been topped and is still on the floor?

Our YO keeps topping the fields to try to keep the sour patches the same level

She picked up one lot of topped grass from one of the fields the horses had to go in but has just asked for the horses to be moved into another field where there is topped grass on the floor

 

[nikkiportia]

Depends how much is laying. We will top paddocks with horses still in, so long as we're literally just taking the tops off.
A lot of people would disagree, but if you have no alternative paddock to use, and as long as there is not fermenting grass laying, you will be fine.
Just to add, I know there is a colic and lami risk increase. But we have been doing it this way for donkeys years, with no problems at all! But they are TB's and not natives.

 

[malibu211211]

There is quite a bit there and it was topped a week or so ago

The horses going in there are 2 cob x, a TB and a WB x

 

[flyingfeet]

If it was over a week ago you will be fine

we occasionally leave the horses in when we top, but only when we are doing sour patches and weeds, which they won't eat anyway.

For a big top where there is too much grass in the field, we will move them away for a minimum of 5 days

 

[nikkiportia]

Hmmmm, can you not pick up the worst of it? Not sure what your weather is like there, but we've been warm and windy here, and any grass laying has dried out super quick. But as you have 2 cobs, I'd be a little bit wary TBH.