Cocksfoot, Bromes , Timothy, Yorkshire Fog
These are 'cool season' grasses, all in the 'high production' category compared to the finer, shorter sward, low nutrient density grasses like brown-top and sweet vernal. All were widely used by farmers prior to rye-grass coming on the scene.
As with all pasture what you sow will depend on the purpose – whereas the former ‘low production’ grasses are ideal for ponies as well as horses recovering from various ‘issues’, the following are more suited to performance or breeding horses and a mix of these make great hay for them too.
If you are planning on allowing grazing access to these grasses the ‘stage of growth’ at which you allow access is critical.
ALL grasses, when in the vegetative stage of growth (short or lush), are too low in Dry Matter, too high in CP/Nitrogen for horses, not to mention when they also have plenty of leaf area, are too high in sugars too.
MANAGEMENT is key – unless you have plenty of acreage and low stocking rates, you will need to have somewhere to keep the horses OFF this grass while you make the hay and for other times of the year when it is in growth mode.
When hay is grown commercially fertiliser will be added to increase yield and # of ‘cuts’ in the season. We have learned by experience that there is a fine line between achieving a good crop and rendering it unsuitable for many horses.
A mix of the following makes great hay for horses (in NZ)
Cocksfoot
Also referred to as Orchard Grass, this grass used to be the NZ farmer’s main production grass before rye-grass.
It tends to make ‘coarser’ hay.
Brome Grasses
Prairie grass and Grazing Brome (closely related) are excellent for most horses – they are large-leafed grasses which grow well during winter and early spring and are drought tolerant.
They do not tolerate waterlogged soil conditions.
Timothy
Best suited to moist, cooler conditions of South Island. Timothy has a distinctive bullrush-shaped seed head.
Timothy grass doesn’t stand up to heavy trampling and is not very drought tolerant so it is great as part of a mix for Performance or Breeding horses. It is a ‘higher sugar’ grass than the likes Brown-Top/Sweet Vernal.
Grows only on moist, heavy soils in cooler regions and is highly palatable to horses.
Yorkshire Fog
Doesn't mind the wetter conditions – a good grass for properties with less than ideal drainage.
Thrives on infertile and acidic soils.
Works well as part of a mix but can tend to dominate other species over time.
Due to their hairiness some horses do not find the leaves of 'fog' grass very palatable (but they do love the seed heads).
Be aware when making Yorkshire Fog into hay as it takes a lot more drying than other grasses.
For these reasons we tend not to include Yorkshire Fog in grass seed mixes.
For a good grass seed Mix in NZ contact Pastoral Improvements
Remember grass of any species is only 'horse-friendly' when allowed to mature before grazing.
If you are resowing - Brand new grass of ANY species is particularly potent and needs to be first grazed by sheep, (or mowed) when it is 6" high, then a crop of hay taken off it after which it should be left until it has 'dried/hardened' off BEFORE allowing grazing access for horses.
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