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Discussion on Won't eat some grass
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Member:
maggienm
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 - 9:27 am:
I have noticed in my pasture and others that there is usually a section of tall grass that the horses don't eat.
It must not taste good.
Has anyone else noticed this, any ideas why this happens?
I only have a couple acre pasture so it isn't like the horses can be fussy.
Thanks
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Member:
cheryl
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 - 9:56 am:
Do you clean the manure out of your pasture? If not, the tall grass is probably the area they use. Keeping your pasture clean cuts down on flies, parasites, and prevents the tall grass. I clean our pasture every day. With two horses it takes about 15-20 minutes. Every fecal count I've had done on my horses has been negative.
Cheryl K
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Member:
muffi
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2008 - 11:28 am:
Agree with Cheryl - my guys wont eat the grass and clover next to the riding path we have on property. the path is covered with old soiled Bedding and Manure (balls broken to dust) the grass and weeds grow well there but they won't eat it. I think they smell their own output and do not want to use it as input! LOL
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Member:
paul303
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 12, 2008 - 1:23 am:
Generally, horses tend to avoid long grass. They favor the shorter new growth. They also don't like most weeds. It's good to section off your pasture and rotate it. Leave them in one section until they have consumed what they prefer. Usually they leave the weeds, and the long stemmy grass. At this point, you move them to another section and mow the long grass and weeds ( that have usually produced seed heads by now ). Doing this, helps create better pasture by cutting the seed heads off the weeds before they are ripe, and shortening the grasses which allows the available nutrients in the soil to be used by the roots of the grass plant instead of going to supporting over-long grass blades that horses tend to reject.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 12, 2008 - 7:08 am:
Yes this is common Lori and the "why" and "what to do about it" is explained at » Horse Care » Horse Pasture, Fencing, Barns » Managing Pastures.
DrO
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