Topping fields

[spotty_pony]

Bit of a controversial one but we are topping some of our paddocks today (mostly to get rid of all the nettles and weeds but also to trim the grass down as it’s getting too long)

Am I right in thinking that I need to put them in different paddocks for a few days until the cut grass dries? I’m worried about them getting colic if they eat it. I’ve read that some people just leave the horses in the same paddock and carry on as usual and also some that don’t so now I’m confused. What does everybody else do?

 

[JackFrost]

I think it depends what they are already eating and how desperate they are. Mine will always prefer fresh grass over something that's been cut and dont gorge themselves. Some of the issue is the cut stuff fermenting, this is a colic risk as well as gorging, and that depends on the weather and how damp or airy your fields are. But to be on the safe side, I either cut small areas at a time or take them off for a few days.

 

[Tiddlypom]

After having a horse which colicked on the topped nettles I always rake up any toppings before putting the horses back out. It's very chancey allowing horses to gorge on topped grazing, but people other than me do get away with it.

 

[irishdraft]

I always clear all topped material one of my least favorite jobs.

 

[marmalade76]

If we've topped somewhere with horses on it we've always left them because it's only what they haven't eaten that gets topped, eg, docks, buttercup, etc which they won't eat either way.

I do know someone who would flail top her paddock (we've always used blade toppers) before putting her fat cob on it and then wondered why it got gassy colic. This happed more than once in the time I was on her yard

 

[GinaGeo]

I always rest my paddocks for a few weeks after topping until the cut grass has mulched in - not worth it.

 

[spotty_pony]

Sounds like I’m thinking along the right lines then I’m going to move the two that are having the field mowed which has too much grass too for a couple of days until the grass has dried out. My mare is in a smaller paddock with less grass and it will really only be the long buttercup stems and the nettles that will be being topped so I will pop her back out afterwards in the same field I think

Honestly, sometimes I think winter is easier than summer