winter grazing

[Stinkbomb]

I have been lucky enough to have been given the use of a field for my two minis alone. I have fenced about 1/3 of this off for my summer grazing as there really is too much grass.
My intention was to use the second half for winter grazing so i could save the half they are in for next summer minus the mud! My dilema is that my "winter field" is now becoming very long. It will be topped around August/September time but i am worried that the new grass will grow just as fast.
My question is does the quality of the grass in winter deteriorate and will it do my minis any harm being grazed on more grass over the winter? If the quality does deterirate what month does this start to happen. What is the risk of lami over winter?

I have never had to think about Lami before so just want to do the right thing. Thankies

 

[pottamus]

Well Lami is always a risk worth avoiding but you could just strip graze the field throughout the winter? The grass will not be as rich as in summer as it starts to die off and slow growing in the autumn. I had my field topped a month ago and will leave it now for winter grazing even if it gets a bit long...it all gets eaten and the more grass the better this year with the hay problems! Normally I get mine topped at the start of August and it grows back about right for winter. This year it will be longer but I don't mind.
I have a native on 2 and a half acres of long grass in winter with no problems but he is well exercised and I weigh tape him each week to check for excess weight. Then he goes in at night on hay if he starts to put weight on.

 

[Christmas_Kate]

In my experience, (not great experience, but hey ho), topping it will make it just as lush. Strip graze it with a few sheep, and all will be dandy. You might need a muzzle on the shettie though

. Don't take for granted that as it's winter grazing the shettie won't pile on the lbs... he will!