kellyeaton
Well-Known Member
people say strip graze but why would you strip graze if there are more sugar straches in shorter grass than there is longer grass?
Werid question?
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scotsmare
Well-Known Member
Ultimately you are reducing the amount of intake of grass by limiting them to a small area.
piebaldsparkle
Well-Known Member
Strip grazing just restricts the amount of grass the horses have access to at anyone time.
Persephone
Well-Known Member
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people say strip graze but why would you strip graze if there are more sugar straches in shorter grass than there is longer grass?
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Aah! Tis a paradox indeed! I think the more recent advice is to use more scrubby/hay type grass.
people say strip graze but why would you strip graze if there are more sugar straches in shorter grass than there is longer grass?
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Aah! Tis a paradox indeed! I think the more recent advice is to use more scrubby/hay type grass.
hollyandivy123
Well-Known Member
i have set up a track, so they are walking more than normal strip graze,
Peacelily
Well-Known Member
I think you're referring to shorter grass is more challenged to grow than grass left to grow longer and so the stress on the plant encourages it to produce more....eeep.... would be guessing to say fructans (a type of sugar)....but I fear my a level biology might be letting me down on that one....
is that what you're thinking of? so for people who want to restrict for eg. laminitic ponies, doing it this way can actually be worse due to the way the plant is growing (please correct me anyone if I'm wrong...I fear I might be....)
is that what you're thinking of? so for people who want to restrict for eg. laminitic ponies, doing it this way can actually be worse due to the way the plant is growing (please correct me anyone if I'm wrong...I fear I might be....)
D
Donkeymad
Guest
As I understand it, you are correct.
Tnavas
Well-Known Member
Shorter grass doesn't grow so well if the weather is hot though - optimum regrowth is only good when graass is no less than 3 inches, shorter than that it cannot cope with the evaporation of moisture so actually doesn't grow so well.
Strip grazing may reduce intake once the grass is short but it often means the horse gets restricted exercise - this then means that the horse doesn't lose the weight in a healthy manner. Track circuit is a great idea.
Generally you need to allow ½ acre of available grazing to allow the horse to exercise enough - this may need to be started by using a lawn mower with a catcher and mowing it short. Strip grazing can often be very hard on the grazing too as the horses are treading on the area repeatedly, damaging the plants and pugging it when it's wet.
Strip grazing may reduce intake once the grass is short but it often means the horse gets restricted exercise - this then means that the horse doesn't lose the weight in a healthy manner. Track circuit is a great idea.
Generally you need to allow ½ acre of available grazing to allow the horse to exercise enough - this may need to be started by using a lawn mower with a catcher and mowing it short. Strip grazing can often be very hard on the grazing too as the horses are treading on the area repeatedly, damaging the plants and pugging it when it's wet.
kellyeaton
Well-Known Member
so in all words strip grazing does work as long as the area is big enought?
flyingfeet
Well-Known Member
Whilst short grass does have more "goodness", a horse grazes below the optimum length. Unlike a lawn for example the grass is grazed lower and doesn't have the chance to recover.
Basically strip grazing is about reducing grass intake. You want to have "manky looking" horse pasture. Do not top or attempt to make it look pretty as this does encourage the grass.
Basically strip grazing is about reducing grass intake. You want to have "manky looking" horse pasture. Do not top or attempt to make it look pretty as this does encourage the grass.