What Length should grass be to put horses on field? and how fast

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Therightone

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ok made an earlier post explaining how I just starting leasing 3 acres.

Haven't moved my horse yet as I have just got a trough that needs filling and wanted to pull a few weeds. She is in the field next door, shared with others. Anyway

Went up there yesterday to have a nose around and the grass is pretty under grazed as the owner of next door kept letting his horses in there (with out permission)

With a guess it's about 1 - 2 inches but also has a lot of yellowing grass and clovers. I can keep my horse next door while I let this grow but I don't want her in there too long as it is very poached very Under grazed (talking no grass whatso ever) The owner cares for money and that is it so I am pretty desperate to move her but I don't want to ruin the new field.

I do plan on sectioning it off but not yet (funds). So really, as we are in April could I give it 2 - 3 weeks? and it should grow a good amount by then? How tall should grass be so it doesn't get under grazed? I'm worried if I put her in there now in this damp weather and poor grass she would just turn it all up?

Or as it is just one horse to 3 acres could I put her in there now as it should still grow as she is eating.
 
I'm guessing you mean over-grazed rather than under-grazed? Its not really about the length of the grass but the type and the quality of the sward. Newly-planted grass on a previously ploughed field could be knee high and still get churned up immediately, whereas a good quality sward can be quite short and still cope with a lot. I would be more worried about turning a single horse out onto 3 acres of grass and clover, but then I am used to dealing with good doers!

If your not used to maintaining land I would get hold of something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Managing-Grass-Horses-Responsible-Owners/dp/0851318568 (maybe able to order it at the local library?).
 
If the ground is dry and she is not underweight I would put her in there now. If you let it build up too much you will be struggling to keep weight off her.
 
Agree with Honey08, and assuming the company will still be there, even be it on the other side of the fence. The grazing does not sound that poor for the time of year, and if she has access to the whole area, should be enough to sustain her in the short term.

With 3 acres for one horse as soon as the grass is visibly growing, you could then divide the area up with electric fencing until you can afford something more permanent.
 
If you want to judge how much grass is growing, don't look in the field being grazed, look just outside the gateway where the soil/ temp etc is the same but horses can't get at it. Sometimes I think mine isn't growing at all then spot that we've mown the lawn 3 times in a week and horses look very chilled and well - they can eat it before you see it I think!
I try to keep mine at 5 cms as optimum length for grass, not too long it goes to seed and doesn't tiller out but not grazed too the roots either
 
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