Horse field grass question?

Question

my theory(that i've talked about with others) is that if you plant a field of grass, with grass seed that is a higher quality, you wont have to feed as much hay in the summer time.

what type of grass/grass seed mixture would you suggest is the best for horses to graze of of?

thanks!

Answer 1

wow I never thought of that, that is a good idea on the grass vs hay need. I think Bermuda Grass would be best for horses!

Answer 2

Depends on where your at. Down here in Texas and all over the southern states, costal bramuda is excelent. Orchard grass is good too in cooler climates. Luck

Answer 3

We use a sort of pasture mix that has varying grasses -- then we make sure to have a mixture of clover and alfalfa. Brome, red fescue, red clover and white clover, etc.

Then we take pure alfalfa seed and sprinkle it out a bit in the field, alfafa is a weed but the first year it never seems to come up - the second year, though, you'll see it everywhere. If you don't have a pony I'd definately use some alfalfa in your field. Ponies can founder too easily off of rich green grass in the spring, but with our horses we don't even hay them. (we have to hay our pony and miniature because they can't go out on the rich grass for long for our fear of founder) but we have a 16.2 hh tb, a qh, and a mixed horse that's about 16hh and they get free range grazing and come into their pens when they wish, they have about 5 acres of our land and we never feed them hay in the spring summer and rarely in the fall, just in the winter.

Just make sure to scrape the poo out evenly in your field, because if it gathers in one place it'll kill out the grass, but spreading it out makes wonderful distribution, and definately try to re-seed your pasture once a year, it really keeps ours in great shape and we don't need ANY hay for the spring -> fall!

Edit: Having a horse with access to a pasture makes them much healthier than dry-lotting them and feeding them hay. Their hooves grow better from the ranging, and their coats seem to shine much better. Every horse we take home does beautifully on the pasture, you can tell when they've been out to pasture and when they haven't and we don't feed a very expensive grain to our horses - nor do they need nearly as much as they would if they were dry-lotted and given hay. ^_^ healthier and happier horses!

Answer 4

I don't know what it's called but as far as I know mine is just a standard pasture mix. They get no hay in summer  - Just a very small feed for supplements etc.and I mow 4 acres to get enough haylage for winter too.

Edit; They are turned out 24/7

Answer 5

We buy a specific blend especially for pastured horses. It's the highest quality. In the summer, our horses are on this 24/7 with nothing else but water and they stay in excellent shape. The county extension will know what's best for horses in your area. We have a seed supply here that makes up a variety of seeds for pasture and also our feed store carries a good brand of premixed horse pasture seed. One grass to avoid if you might have a lactating mare is tall fescue as it can cause a lot of trouble with the milk.

Answer 6

Timothy would be best, but you do have to be careful and make sure they don't overeat and founder.  You could also go with Orchard grass (another great one), or Fox tail (which most pastures are).  You just have to make sure they don't over graze the pasture and eat the grass below 5-6 inches.  Any lower than that and you can ruin the plant and it may not grow as well as it should and as fast.  Good luck, with costs of hay not a bad idea.

Answer 7

I have a 4 acre pasture planted with a coastal bermuda mix.  I don't feed ANY hay in the summer.  Gee, who woulda thunk it?

It takes many years to establish a healthy pasture though so get with your Ag-Extention agent for pointers.  Make sure you get a seed mixture that is formulated for your area and climate.

Answer 8

My pastures are mostly grasses of differing species. Take your pick there is probably some of that in there.  Timothy is another good mix.  I would stay away from red clover and alfalfa just because it could become over powering and take over the pasture and then the horses could become sick on too much of a good thing.  Once the grasses have been established, all you have to do is keep the weed population down by either spraying or by hand.  Since you have not asked about that I will assume that you are familiar with that.  Yes you are right the more grass pasture you have the less hay you have to feed during the summer.  I usually depend on pasture grass all summer for my guys thus saving on the amount of hay that is used for the year.