Grass Clippings and horses?

Question

Now I know its a big no no, and I've never done it, but I want to know exactly WHY grass clippings should not be fed to horses. I've heard reasons from it compacts in their gut causing colic to they can inhale it and get respiratory infections.

Answer 1

grass clippings are a no no because.  

When grass is mowed the clippings start to decompose right away and they go thru something called Heat.  Hay also does this, which is why it is left to sit on the field and dry for a day or more before baleing so that it does not light the barn on fire - it gets that hot in bales.   Heat is caused by the decomp.. and fuels the growth of bacteria which decomposes the grass.. which causes more heat.. which fuels more bacteria.. and becomes a toxic level quickly, and creates a lot of gas. however its also over within 24 hours or so as long as the grass isn't kept heaped or in a catch bag

The bacteria when eaten by a horse is now in a perfect place to grow and go nuts..create gas and toxins.. and causes founder or colic and torsion

When a horse eats grass on its own the heat cycle is done in a smaller way ( that's how horses stay warm in the winter.. decomposing grass in the gut is a personal space heater)

Cows by benefit of their multi stomachs can handle the  grass clippings and the bacteria by moving it back and forth until the worst of the gas is gone and they can burp it out.  A horse can not burp or vomit to rid itself of this.

Answer 2

You are right, it's a huge NO, for several reasons.

Firstly, the petrol contaminates the clippings. The remaining fumes, and traces in the clippings, can be breathed in and ingested, obviously not good for horses.

Secondly, the clippings are very loose and "fluffy", so they are easy for the horse to inhale and pick up to eat. The inhaling is no good for them and not having to "pull" at food allows them to eat really fast, which can cause choke.

Thirdly, you are right about it impacting. It does build up in them and can definitely cause blockages, which then causes colic.

Another reason is that, since the clippings are warm and get all lumped together, the clippings immediately start to grow mould and ferment, another cause of colic if ingested. This fermentation can also start inside the horse, causing colic or laminitis.

Also, the grass can have pesticides and fertilizers in it, as well as pieces of plants poisonous to horses.

So, that's some of the reasons horses should never be allowed grass clippings. If some grass near or in a horse paddock has been mowed, ensure that the clippings are dumped far away from the horse paddocks. If they are left in or just outside the paddock, horses will try to eat them, which can be really bad.

Answer 3

I think it may have something to do with the mower being run by petrol and there is a chance of contamination.

That is what I have heard anyway so I am just guessing but it sounds feasible.  

Answer 4

NO it ain't fine for a horse to eat grass clippings

if they eat them they get a bad stomach ache (colic) and they can die from it if they roll too much so i don't think it is ok

person a few answers below me said it was fine

Answer 5

all i know of is colic..idk..sorry

Answer 6

Grass clippings are fine as long as your horse is use to eating high protein forages.  If the horse is poor and not getting enough to eat you should feed in moderation to avoid colic.  It would also be good if the grass had a day to dry before being fed.  Horses will eat cut grass faster than when they graze.  In addition I wouldn't feed the grass if it has much clover in it.  Just as when feeding hay it should be cured/dry to avoid getting hot in the horses system.  Several of these factors can cause colic.  You should be fine if you keep this information in mind.  

Answer 7

i think it is ok as long as your grass clippings are fresh.  if they are old they will mold and make them sick.  i feed my horses clippings all the time and they are fine, you just need to make sure that they aren't starving when they you feed it 2 them or they will bolt it down.  and make sure there is nothing on your grass that would make them sick.  

Answer 8

It's because it ferments (goes sour), which isn't good for the horse.

Answer 9

The clippings are mixed with gas and stuff like that when they go through the mower, and then they ferment and its just not good for the horses. Other than that, Im not so sure about the compacting and respitory infections.  

Answer 10

Most lawn clippings have been treated with any number of organo-phosphates.  Weed killer, fertilizer, insect killer, all in the name of maintaince.  None of which are recommended as horse feed.