Re: RC: Intro to pasture (and grass clippings)

[Bette Lamore <woa@stormnet.com>]

Hi Barb
Now I'm confused. I was told that the first grass to come in after the
winter rains here in CA was extremely high in water content--- low in
nutrition/protein. Wouldn't it be less dangerous to put horses into this
pasture now than when the grass matures and is higher in protein
content? What is it about the first "cutting" of grass that would make
it more dangerous than more mature grass?
Bette (who was obviously spoiled when her horses remained on pasture
year round)
Bette Lamore
Whispering Oaks Arabians, Home of 16.2hh TLA Halynov	
(Yes, really 16.2!)
http://www.arabiansporthorse.com
 

"guest@endurance.net" wrote:
> 
> Barb Peck bpeck@together.net
> Bette:
> Like almost everything, it depends on what kind
> of grass you're talking about
> (young vs mature plants and where you live).
> 
> Here in the NE, after a long  winter of hay, we start
> turning the horse out on grass as early as late April
> (but usually the middle of May). My horses get 1 hr the
> first 3 days, then increasing in increments of 1/2 hr
> so in about 15 days, so they're out all nite on grass
>  in about a month.  I watch their manure, and if it
>  isn't holding together they get cut back,
>  and hay added to the diet.  AFter the
> grasses mature, there's never a problem
> (usually mid June and on Of course who knows this
>  year as we STILL have over a foot of snow on the ground)
> 
>   We have LUSH grass growing in the spring here,
> and the Vets get alot of cases of colic,
>  and some founder in May and June.
> 
> As far as grass clippings fo.. my Vet says the
>  same as yours.
> Although, if you feed them right away,
> as he says, they won't have time to ferment.
>  If you mow the lawn, let the
> grass clippings cure like hay.. you can rake them
> up and feed them that way
> (I only mow the law once every 10 days or so, so
> the clippings are long)
> 
> I have a friend in Ocala Fla.. horses are on grass all year
> round.. sigh, riding all year round too. Lucky.
> 
> Barb
> 
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