When does the grass usually start coming through?

[CobsGalore]

At what time of year does the grass usually start coming through? And what temperature does it need to be and for how long for it to grow?

Has anyone's grass started growing already?

 

[Delhi Belly]

I think it needs to be about 7 degrees to start growing, but not sure.

 

[mhorses]

Will probably be another 4 weeks before you will notice a difference. Well it all does boil down to the temperature of the weather. Sorry for the pun.

 

[casinosolo]

I was wondering this as mine has a grazing muzzle when there's lots of grass but hasn't needed it since October now. I'm worried as his previous owner said he got colic on spring grass one year - don't want to put it on too soon, but also don't want to leave it too long! :/

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

2 of my winter paddocks have green shoots coming up.
These were trashed paddocks which were in constant use from end Sept till 10 days ago when I removed the occupants & put them in an even wetter grotty paddock
Oddly the hammered level un-muddy paddock from last autumn (TF was in there till end Sept so grass very sparse) is not appearing to shoot, despite being in sun from noon, tho with the sun out in daytime its going to pick up shortly & will be too much for TF as will be short green stuff.

So - its 'on the grow' already, look closely at rested patches.
Hence warnings ref laminitus are posted up - sunshine & frost will be the enemy of many equines if not managed.

 

[Rhodders]

I have a 2 acre paddock I save for spring, the horses get locked out of it in October and it has a nice covering of grass at the moment but if i let my 4 in now it would be gone in 48 hours. I always leave it till the end of March, then that's it the other 10 acres gets shut off for next winter. The quicker they eat whats there the better, they are all fatty sorts so it will be adequate for the summer without fear of too much lush grass

 

[Mongoose11]

It is definitely growing now! 8 degrees and it is regularly above that at this time of year!

 

[JFTDWS]

Mine's been growing most of winter, in the bits that aren't a sea of mud or a lake, that is. I have two very green looking fields and a surprising amount coming through in patches of their trash paddock too

 

[Enfys]

It is definitely growing now! 8 degrees and it is regularly above that at this time of year!

We got to the dizzy heights of 1C today (that is minus 1C) and from what I can see of my grass it is the usual brown slimy mush that comes from being almost continually under snow for the last 8 weeks. We are forecast, drum roll here ......................



+3C next Saturday

Don't think my grass is going to be doing much growing for a bit yet Just bought in another $1000 worth of hay.

 

[MrsMozart]

It's definitely on its way.

Green shoots coming up, the horses leaving the hay to go through the bog that is the field just to pick at bits, plus Dizz's poos just starting to change.

Another week or so and I'll be asking hay man for as old hay as he can provide and keeping a close eye on the Dizz. Rich hay (or worse, haylage!) and Spring type grass and she gets spasmodic colic

 

[Taisypops]

I was discussing this with my farrier the other day as my lami fear is starting and he said when the temp is consistently above 6 degrees that the grass with start to grow.....x

 

[CobsGalore]

I was discussing this with my farrier the other day as my lami fear is starting and he said when the temp is consistently above 6 degrees that the grass with start to grow.....x

So even if it is above 6 in the day but frosty at night it won't be growing?

 

[Taisypops]

So even if it is above 6 in the day but frosty at night it won't be growing?

Sorry wasn't clear...he said consistently above six degrees during the day.

 

[CobsGalore]

Sorry wasn't clear...he said consistently above six degrees during the day.

Ah ok

 

[Mongoose11]

It will grow during the day if the temp is right whether it then drops below over night doesn't matter.

 

[Nicnac]

10 degrees centigrade will do it. Don't forget that temperatures on forecasts are always in the shade so in the sun, it's way above that these past few days (in Kent anyway )

I have green poos and happy horses as the mud is finally drying out a bit.

 

[indie999]

5 centigrade and above and yes you will have to watch for frost on new growth ...laminitis season starts. Small sugary new blades.

 

[amandaco2]

I think temps over 8 will get it growing. Not seen that much happening yet but its so boggy anything coming up gets trampled

 

[Adopter]

It gets very chilly at night where I am on top of moorlands and even with the cold wind currently our grass is definiately growing.

Colour of droppings changes as more grass is in the diet, and my two have definately got greener droppings this week. I have cut the additional feed/hay down to half what they need a day, as I do not want them to put weight on at this point given they have access to the grass over the full 24hrs!

 

[crabbymare]

Droppings are changing here and a couple of bare patches are starting to shoot a bit so grass is comingthrough now. Its been up to around 3-4 degrees some days but in the sun its feeling warmer

 

[LauraWheeler]

Mine's been growing most of winter, in the bits that aren't a sea of mud or a lake, that is. I have two very green looking fields and a surprising amount coming through in patches of their trash paddock too

Same here. It's never realy stopped. I was told it needs to be above 6 degrees for it to grown. But for the last week we've even had midges and I was told it needs to be over 11 degrees for them so it's deff been warm enough for grass down here

 

[FfionWinnie]

It grows slowly all winter. You won't notice if it has grazing animals on tho unless its a very low stocking rate. As to when growth can beat consumption in a normal rate of stocking. Probably in about a month but varies from the north to the south obviously.

I split my fields up about a week ago and I can see a slight difference already on the ungrazed side

 

[scarymare]

It grows slowly all winter. You won't notice if it has grazing animals on tho unless its a very low stocking rate. As to when growth can beat consumption in a normal rate of stocking. Probably in about a month but varies from the north to the south obviously.

I split my fields up about a week ago and I can see a slight difference already on the ungrazed side

Agree with this. Very very slow in winter but real growth can only start with an AVERAGE soil temp of 5 degrees or above. There are alot of wishful thinkers on this thread! I'm also out of haylage and have 26 acres but this would no way sustain my 10, even though 3 are ditty yearlings.

As for when it will be significant, I think all bets are off on this. It was soooo wet this summer that my lot had glow in the dark green poos in late November even though forage given ad lib by then. Those who fertilised with a slow release at the back end, or those who limed will be reaping rewards sooner - lots of variables!!!!!

 

[hihosilver]

I think as well it depends a lot on where you are. In the south the grass is growing now and we only had to feed haylage for 2 weeks this winter. All horses are fat including a yearling.

 

[niagaraduval]

Can't wait for my winter paddock to regrow , they totally trashed it. Can't wait for the hay making to begin either !! Yay !! Once the hay is done they are out on 12 acres.. I usually let them be for 2 weeks after them being turned out on the 12 acres as are both totally uncatachable during the first few weeks of freedom.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

depends where you are, here in Eastern Central Scotland it can be late April before its a worry. The last few nights have been -3 so not holding my breath (plus I have fatty natives, I don't want it warmer just yet!)

 

[CobsGalore]

I have fatty natives, I don't want it warmer just yet!

Same!

It's been really sunny and around 7 or 8 degrees here for the last few days, although later this week it's forecasted to get cold again, not getting above 2 degrees most days. Hopefully that'll put a stop to the grass growth until they have lost a bit more weight!!

 

[canteron]

Agree with this. Very very slow in winter but real growth can only start with an AVERAGE soil temp of 5 degrees or above. There are alot of wishful thinkers on this thread! I'm also out of haylage and have 26 acres but this would no way sustain my 10, even though 3 are ditty yearlings.

As for when it will be significant, I think all bets are off on this. It was soooo wet this summer that my lot had glow in the dark green poos in late November even though forage given ad lib by then. Those who fertilised with a slow release at the back end, or those who limed will be reaping rewards sooner - lots of variables!!!!!

I agree with this, having a lami horse myself, I would say that, in my experience, the grass starts to grow about 2 weeks before you notice it!

Essentially, in a field there will be all sorts of different varieties of grass - some which grow at lower temperatures than others, and some warmer more sheltered spots, so it is definitely better to take precautions with a susceptible pony earlier rather than later.