Pasture woes?

Question

We have an chance to pasture my 12 horses in a 40 acre pasture that has long history of having horses and cows. It has been vacant for 2 years now, and my father in law says that it will kill my horses if I pasture them there because last years grass was never eaten and was under the snow and now growing new grass. Has anybody heard this and is there any valitity to it? Is there anything I can do to prepare it if it is true? Please respond. Thanks

Answer 1

I pasture 2 horses on 20 acres with rich timothy grass.  This year we had record snowfalls (about 150") and the pasture sat under snow for almost a full 6 months before the horses could go out on it.  We are in a heavy snow region and have never had a problem with the horses eating leftover or new pasture growth after the snow melts.  As long as the pasture has a history of horses and cows grazing on it with no problem, I wouldn't be worried.  As was previously mentioned by others though, if your horses haven't been pastured in a while be sure to gradually ease them into eating the grass so they don't founder.

Answer 2

Lots of people rotate pastures from year to year, it's good farming practice really.  I wonder what he was worried about.  Snow mould?  Lots of Old Wives Tales have their basis in truth and every time I roll my eyes at my Amish Grandma she turns out to be right!LOL  But I've never heard this one.

Answer 3

I've not heard that, 8 yrs back I pastured my girl on 10 acres, that was used for cattle a few yrs before and wasn't cut.  She and my neighbors horse had no problems or ill effects.  I would go for it.

Answer 4

I have never heard of this before.  The only thing which might kill them is laminitis caused by allowing them to have too much and too soon!  Try electric fencing to "strip graze' preventing them eating too much at once and helps preserve the ground.

Check for very uneven surface - could cause a few strains.

Also check your fencing and water supply very carefully.  And check for poisonous weeds, in particular ragwort.

Check shelters.  Trees will do, but they need to be accessible to all horses not just the ones at the top of the pecking order.

I really have not heard of this before.  We took over a paddock at the back of our house in similar state.  Nothing happened.

Answer 5

That is not true. When I got my horses, I put my horses in pastures that hadn't been used for longer than that. There will be grass there that is low in nutrition, but will still be good roughage. I would only be concerned if there are poisonous plants where you live and are in the pasture. I have 70 acres that never gets all the grass eaten and last years grass is buried under the snow. My horses are thriving out there.

Answer 6

I would mow it to 4 inches before pasturing the horses. If possible,rake up and remove the clippings. I'd do it to improve the quality of the pasture.  Check for toxic weed species that may have invaded the pasture after the cows left.  Also check for any small trees that may have seeded...be sure none are toxic species like red maple or black walnut. Last year's grass won't kill them, but it isn't desirable.

Answer 7

Nope, nothing says ungrazed pasture is DEFINITELY a hazard for your horses.  If there are poisonous weeds, then it would be problem.  But regular, leftover grass is actually pretty good grazing for horses or cattle.  I wouldn't worry about it, unless someone who grazed the pasture previously reported horses dying from eating there.  If there's old musty stuff in with the new grass, chances are your horses will not eat the old stuff, and if they do it won't hurt them.

Answer 8

your father in law is full of it, just make sure you dont let them over eat maybe try strip grazing or just letting them out for short periods until they are used to the new grass if they over eat on fresh green grass they could get founder, gradually increase their grazing until they are acustomed to it. also if they are not used to green grass they may get diarhea at first, its normal.

Answer 9

i v never heard of that. we put my mare in pastures like that all the time. we lived in a rural area that the city was trying to buy out. the whole neighborhood always moved our animals around so that everyone could keep there farming rights.  we would put my mare in pastures that hadn't been used for a long time every few months.

it wont kill them, but i do suggest trimming down the top of the grass, mostly if there is cattail grass growing, its not good for them to eat and gets deep in there coats and tails.

Answer 10

Is you father in law thinking that they could founder from the grass? is it really lush? If so they could founder or colic. I don't think they will just die.

Answer 11

The only thing I would worry about is if its all seeded other than that start them out slow if they are not used to so much grazing area.

Answer 12

I've had horses for over 60 years and that's a new one I never heard of.  If I had your horses I'd go ahead and pasture them.

I don't agree with your father in law.

Answer 13

I am wondering if your FIL is thinking of founder if the horses have never been on grass pasture before.That is a horse and management problem, not the pasture itself,.   I have a pasture that has been left unused for probably 3 or 4 years, this year I had to use it because of fencing problems.  This pasture had old grass in it from winters gone by has been under snow and had new grass growing in it...I have had two different horses on it this spring.  I see no problem with either one of them being on this pasture.  There is nothing wrong with letting any pasture sit for a few years (in fact it does the pasture good don't we all wish for that luxury).then deciding to use it in later years...it just does not make sense what you FIL said the way you have written it.  I say go ahead and use it..

Answer 14

If your horses are currently on pasture in the same area then it shouldn't be a problem.

Just make sure that the fences are secure and in good repair and your horses have access to clean fresh water and all should be fine.