Author: Message: Member: kpaint Posted on Sunday, Feb 14, 2010 - 8:13 pm: Well, now that most of the elk have been kicked off the farm, I'll have to renovate 3 pastures which have been sown with oats or alfalfa in the past. This means that a horse will get more nutrients from less hay but it also means that they get more energy and calories from less hay so it won’t keep a horse occupied for as long. High-quality, properly fenced pastures are one of the best and least expensive sources of summer feed for a horse. It is highly adapted to grow in a range of challenging conditions including infertile soils, soils with high acidity or poor drainage, and poorly prepared seed beds. The horses don't hone in on it and eat it in moderation. Legume Hay for Horses Alfalfa, white clover, red clover and birdsfoot trefoil are common types of legumes, with alfalfa being the most popular choice. What the Horse Owner Needs to Know 5. It does particularly well on chalk pasture if the grass is short and fine. Birdsfoot trefoil is a very adaptable plant and will be found growing wild in most habitats. It is quite sensitive to moisture fluxuations though, so care must be taken with overwatering or irrigating it (and it may be difficult to get during a drought). do well in an uncontrolled browsing environment like a food plot. Pigweed, … It could just be a coincidence between colic symptoms and feeding dry forage though. https://ker.com/equinews/birdsfoot-trefoil-horses/, VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Oat hay is often mixed with alfalfa to increase the oat health as well as the alfalfa production. Birdsfoot trefoil is a long-lived legume that reseeds naturally. Introduction 2. BIRDSFOOT TREFOIL Lotus corniculatus L. Plant Symbol = LOCO6 Contributed by: USDA NRCS Rose Lake Plant Materials Center, Lansing, Michigan Alternate Names birdfoot deervetch Uses Erosion control: Birdsfoot trefoil is used along roadsides to control wind and water erosion. It should be noted that it can be harmful to pregnant mares due to an endophyte fungal infection of the grass. Trefoil does not cause bloat, as do many other commonly used legumes. Keep in mind that even though some of these hays may sound better in their description, ultimately the best hay for your horse is the one they will eat. Birdsfoot Trefoil grows and produces forage during July and August when most cool season grasses are semi dormant. Paragraph 4 will be of particular interest to you. Clover and Your Horse's Health. Others will use it to help … Rye grass is gaining popularity as a forage for horses as it is quick to establish and grow and provides good nutrition. Lotus corniculatus is a flowering plant in the pea family Fabaceae, native to grasslands in temperate Eurasia and North Africa.Common names include common bird's-foot trefoil, eggs and bacon, birdsfoot deervetch, and just bird's-foot trefoil, though the latter name is often also applied to other members of the … What has always bothered me is how a horse will grub down tight the grass in one area yet grass next to it looks the same to the eye yet they won't touch it. Birdsfoot trefoil is a perennial legume that does not cause bloat in grazing ruminant animals. There are some loose correlations between bermuda grass hay and colic. White or red clovers especially. Prevent your horse from becoming poisoned using forage management strategies, such as: Inspect all hay and forage for toxic plants; Prevent horses from grazing in pastures with plants containing high cyanide levels Productive, well-managed pastures can provide most of the feed requirements of horses for the least cost. So this is definitely a regional hay. Wildlife: Birdsfoot trefoil is a choice food for … Birdsfoot trefoil is a non-bloating legume best suited for permanent pasture situations. Birdsfoot trefoil yields less than alfalfa on well-drained, fertile soils but is superior to alfalfa on soils of marginal fertility and production capabilities. However, it's a legume in the clover family. Alfalfa is the most common legume hay for horses. The two main types of hay for horses are grass hay and legume hay. Any of the clovers would be my first choice. This hay is sometimes referred to as coastal hay and is a shorter plant with fine blades of grass. seed. ... birdsfoot trefoil, sudangrass, johnsongrass and reed canarygrass. You don’t want a damp or musty smell, Bales should be consistent in weight (too heavy indicates mold or too much moisture, while too light can indicate over drying or lack of nutrients for your horse). Clover hay can provide energy, protein and fiber, however, if clover molds, it can cause slobbers and bleeding in horses who eat the molded hay. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. No matter which type of hay you choose, some characteristics should be consistent when looking for high quality hay for horses. When growing conditions are challenging for alfalfa cultivation, birdsfoot trefoil is an appropriate, though lesser-known, source of good-quality protein and energy for horses. We will explore all the types of hay that are commonly fed to horses. A Good Horseman Doesn't Have To Tell Anyone; The Horse Already Knows. If you feed some or all legume hay, be mindful of this relationship and balance your horse by feeding some grass hay or using supplemental phosphorus if necessary. The increased concentration of protein in legume hay can greatly increase the energy for a horse eating it. It has a wide crown and taproot, intermediate in depth between alfalfa and red … The legume class of hay includes alfalfa, clover, and birdsfoot trefoil hay. Most commonly, clover is mixed with other grasses. The following is a list of types of grass hay for horses. luke- Birdsfoot Trefoil is our major forage source. Its excellent grazing potential and bloat-free advantages make trefoil ideal for pasture. This typically indicates that it has a good flavor. Birdsfoot trefoil is not a bad choice for horse pastures however there are better legumes. I do know mine will hunt down a Dandelion just to eat the bloom and a little of the green leafy plant. Birdsfoot Trefoil. When evaluating legume hays, Crandell first establishes the type of hay. This hay is high in fiber, protein and calcium. We have used it for pasture, haylage production, and dry hay. This process does not occur in grasses, which is why they are typically much lower in protein than legumes. It can be sensitive to overgrazing so allowing for proper establishment and good rotational grazing practices will result in longer lived stands. Hay should be dry to the touch. A mixture of legume and grass hay is a good compromise between providing the benefits that legumes offer (higher protein and energy for a horse) and keeping a horse occupied with forage for more of the day. Color can vary based on grass type and exposure to sunlight. Trefoil, sometimes just called “lotus” because of its Latin name (Lotus corniculatus), is a high quality forage plant that’s adapted to most parts of the United States. Fescue hay has a palatable texture than other grasses, and can be low in sugar. Trefoil is palatable, nutritious, high in protein and very digestible to cattle, sheep and horses. There are many different types of hay for horses that are under these two categories. Because the horse is a herbivore, the majority of its diet can consist of roughages. This higher content of protein and calcium can come with problems. When in doubt, be sure to discuss feeding this hay with your vet. *When in doubt about what hay is best for your horse, consult your vet or an equine nutritionist to determine the best hay for your horse*. There are those that will graze it and don't mind the bitter. The resulting oat hay is high in protein and other nutrients, making it a nutritious option for horse hay. Legume hay is higher in protein and calcium than grass hay is. For other sites, sow 6 pounds of trefoil plus 3 pounds of. Experience is what separatesknowledge from wisdom. Typically, orchard grass is lower in protein than timothy, but it is a favorite amongst horses and owners. I don't know anything about the Birdsfoot. Brome is closer in appearance to orchard than timothy, in appearance. You could look at black medic and silver cinquefoil. These clovers are more vigorous and hardier than the average red clover and seem to establish better and last three years instead of two. This forage grows to 2-3 feet tall, and is easiest to grow when mixed with grasses. It does spike in sugar production in the fall, so be cautious when grazing or feeding it to sugar sensitive horses. Your email address will not be published. Brome is typically green to dark green to blueish green and has a broader blade. Light brown hay can indicate that the hay sat too long in the sun drying. It is highly palatable. It grows and produces forage during July and August when most cool-season grasses are semi-dormant. Flossie Sellers - 08/13/2015 Health. Additionally, the stalks can be thick so some horses won’t eat it because of texture. Hay should be free of Mold. Lotus corniculatus L., birdsfoot trefoil is a short-lived, non-bloating perennial legume which has the ability to reseed itself under proper management. You don’t want a damp or musty smell. Plant at 12 pounds per acre, or 3 pounds per acre in a mix. Birdsfoot Trefoil for Horses. It usually has a higher amount of protein than other grass hays but has a better balance of nutrients such as calcium and fiber. But bermuda grass provides a good source of forage for horses. PLANT POISONING IN HORSES. It is also the most tolerant to wet springs, dry hot summers and cold winters. The birds foot trefoil is excellent for fixing nitrogen and would be one of those in a horse's herbal remedy kit. I have decided I want to try some birdsfoot trefoil. Use improved varieties for better establishment i.e. My husband has a masters in horticulture so he's of great help in pasture management, however, he doesn't always know a lot about horse nutrition. Exceptions would be hard-working horses and young horses where a fast gr… Typically timothy grass has a finer texture than other grasses. References Bermuda is typically the cheapest grass hay you can purchase for a horse. Department of Agronomy Birdsfoot trefoil is a long-lived perennial legume ideally suited for many grass-legume pastures in Missouri. This hay is high in protein, but lower in calcium than legume hay. The flower blooms are small, bright yellow, and form in clusters at the end of the stems. However, it is very slow to establish and if your field is already planted with grass I doubt that the birdsfoot would compete very well at all. Hay should be green. 1. Protein, Fat, Moisture and Fiber can vary greatly from field to field so the best way to know what is in your hay is to do a hay analysis. clovers like Arlington, Cimmeron, or Marathon; or trefoils like Carroll or Norcen. Oat hay is also quite high in sugar, so it is not a good option for insulin resistant horses. You can add this to a pasture grass mix at about 5-10%. Hay and Hay Quality 3. It performs … How to Choose a Turnout Blanket for Your Horse, How to Build a Dutch Stall Door – Cheap DIY Stall Door, Things Equestrians Can Do During the COVID-19 Quarantine, Clovers (Red, White, Sweet., Alsike, Yellow Sweetclover), Smell like hay (kind of a sweet smell). There are those that will graze it and don't mind the bitter. This is a tall grass that grows well in cool conditions and varies in color from light green, to dark green, to blueish-green. What Hay Growers Should Know 4. I haven’t planted birdsfoot trefoil in the Ozarks. Many of you will wonder, what type of hay is best for horses? Oftentimes, the hay that a horse enjoys the most is the one they are most accustomed to. Back to Catalog. Once seed pods form they extend away from the stalk and look like a bird’s foot (hence the name). Come join the discussion about breeding, grooming, reviews, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more! + Free Printable Barn Chores Checklist ». Birdsfoot Trefoil does not cause bloat, as do many other commonly used legumes. It will reseed itself, making it an excellent choice for steep or stony land not suitable for cultivating. Note that the following descriptions are generalizations. Commonly used legumes include alfalfa and red clover, and occasionally lespedeza and birdsfoot trefoil. If horses don’t need additional grain, some people use a ration balancer to make sure a horse is getting all the nutrients they need from their diet. Rarely do the long-lived legumes (alfalfa, trefoil, etc.) Feeding a legume/grass mix can be the best of both worlds. Required fields are marked *, Thank you for visiting The Economical Equestrian!  My name is Catherine, and I am here to help all equestrians live better with their horses as well as learn to be financially savvy.  Being comfortable with your finances is important for everyone, but especially when you have such an expensive habit.  Stay a while and then get out there and ride! Apparently, it can taste a bit bitter and some horses don't much care for it. Your email address will not be published. Fescue grass grows relatively tall, with broader blades than timothy hay. My pastures have a little white and red clover mix in Fescue and Brome. Legume hay is more easily digested than grass hay, which can be a good or bad thing depending on the horse. JavaScript is disabled. High quality pastures or hays are excellent sources of energy, protein and vitamins necessary for a balanced ration. Birdsfoot Trefoil should be planted at 1/8 to 1/4 inch depth in a smooth, firm seedbed. Birdsfoot trefoil is more resistant to negative soil conditions as well as moisture fluctuations. Although the most popular legume used among horse owners is alfalfa, other legumes such as red or crimson clover, lespedeza, birdsfoot trefoil, and peanut hay are often fed, and these provide horses with high-quality nutrients. It is relatively palatable to horses and has a fine texture. Even after the plants start going to seed, forage quality and protein content remain high much longer than other pasture species. Pick a hay your horse likes to eat. It is high in quality and maintains its quality longer than most other legumes. Timothy hay is a common favorite among horses and owners. It is often seen growing along with Ribwort Plantain and Harebell. Not sure it will even thrive this far south as it seems to be mainly … The increased calcium does mean that phosphorus may need to be supplemented, as noted above. A forum community dedicated to horse owners and enthusiasts. There has to be a difference in taste but, I've never figured out what it is. Page 1 of 2 - Birdsfoot Trefoil - posted in Alfalfa/Hay: Experimenting with growing different kinds of crops (especially hay) is one of my favorite things about farming and keeps things interesting. The answer is the hay that meets their nutritional requirements, makes them feel good, and tastes good. If a horse has a heavy workload, or needs more energy and caloric intake, legume hay can be a good fit. Where I have tried it, I wasn’t overly impressed. Stems are smaller in diameter and less rigid than alfalfa stems and can grow to a height of 12 to 30 inches depending on whether it is a prostrate or erect variety. There are many different types of grass hay available, although the types of grass available will vary based on your geographic location. It works the same in horses. Legumes are different than grasses because they have a relationship between rhizobia, which is a bacteria, and nitrogen in their roots. Birdsfoot trefoil is a perennial legume that is often … He suggested we mix birdsfoot trefoil in with the timothy in one of our pastures as a nitrogen-fixing plant. Also Birdsfoot Trefoil can be found on sandy poor soil near the sea alongside Lady’s … Not a horse clover. Birdsfoot Trefoil. It is the most economical for us: Doesn't require heavy adjustment for lime as alfalfa does here (Northern WI)., Reseeds itself, and a good stand will maintain production several years beyond a clover or alfalfa stand. Birdsfoot trefoil can also work, as can many grasses. Grass hays include the cool-season species of timothy, smooth bromegrass, orchardgrass, tall fescue, and redtop. Bermuda grass grows well in a variety of conditions so it is a common hay for horses. Horses that survive the first hour of the poisoning have a more favorable recovery. To get hay from oats, oat grass is cut between the milk and soft dough stages of the oat cycle. acre of birdsfoot trefoil on sites previously in bluegrass. If you really want to know what is in your hay, have it tested! 🙂, « The Most Comfortable Cowboy Boots That You Can Wear All Day, What Barn Chores Do You Need To Do Every Day? Smell like hay (kind of a sweet smell). What hay is best for horses? This crop requires more management than the return in forage it yielded for my preference. Trefoil. Orchard hay is another common type of grass hay – it usually has a thicker blade than timothy hay but can be softer in texture. Good quality pasture plus free choice trace mineralized salt and water can supply the nutrients needed by many classes of horses. Grass hay comes in many varieties and the best hay can vary from horse to horse. Cocklebur can be poisonous if eaten in early spring at its 2-leaf stage. It's not a problem if the horses don't eat it since we're not going to plant a lot of it, just a little among the timothy as a way for the pasture to maintain good nitrogen levels so the timothy grows better. The benefits of feeding a legume, like alfalfa, but keeping the balance in your horse’s nutrition and energy levels by also feeding them a grass hay. In addition, birdsfoot trefoil is a perennial and reproduces itself by reseeding. Because of its nutrient profile and high palatability, alfalfa is sometimes used as a grazing forage for horses, often in concert with grasses. All of these can cause problems when stunted from lack of moisture or wilted by frost, since they all contain the same toxin as chokecherry. In some parts of the country, one of the best-kept secrets for good pasture performance may be a forage legume called birdsfoot trefoil. Thus trefoil is useful for stockpiling (i.e., allowing it to mature and save it for periods of drought or late fall/early winter grazing). Others will use it to help relieve tummy troubles of the bloat variety. The birds foot trefoil is excellent for fixing nitrogen and would be one of those in a horse's herbal remedy kit. Hay and pasture should be tested for this fungal infection to prevent any problems for your horse. Hay analysis can tell you what a hay does and does not have and whether or not you need to be supplementing with something that is missing from your horse’s diet. A well-kept pasture also is the most natural and healthy environment for exercise and rest. Newsdate: Fri, 19 Aug 2011 - 12:24 pm Location: SAN DIEGO, California Horses grazing in pastures where clover is present face health problems depending on the type of clover, how much is present in the forage, and whether or not it is … Alfalfa typically has a thicker stem and lots of leaves. Alfalfa hay is one of the most common hays available in the US, making it a popular choice for forage for horses. Although individual plants live for only a few years, stands of birdsfoot trefoil have remained productive for 10 or more … I've planted birdsfoot trefoil in the spring into a prepared seedbed along with orchard grass and had good results. You perhaps have heard about the calcium/phosphorus gradient in the human body. This bacteria “fixes” the nitrogen from the atmosphere into ammonia, then into ammonium which the plant can then use to make protein. Birdsfoot trefoil, a non-bloating perennial, offers that opportunity.What's more, birdsfoot trefoil holds its leaves at maturity, thus retaining its forage quality and offering a longer period of time to hay or graze it, says Colorado State University forage specialist Joe Brummer.Suited for grazing or haying, interseeding birdsfoot Although volunteer bluegrass will fill in the stand in time, it may be desirable to include 2 to 3 pounds of bluegrass. While poor seedling establishment h… Stems are slender and branch with a multitude of leaves. It is lower in protein than some other grasses, so you must ensure a horse is getting enough protein in their diet if this is their only forage. There are many types of hay that you can feed to horses. Rate For a trefoil-bluegrass pasture, sow 6 pounds per. Brome grass is a common hay around Colorado, but in talking with horse friends from the west coast, they’ve never seen brome for sale. The higher percent of calcium in legume hay can present a problem with the calcium/phosphorus balance. Alsike fed can cause liver toxicity and photosensitivity plus all kinds of other issues. Different types of hay for horses can vary in nutritional value, taste or texture. Hay composition is highly affected by the species of forage present in the hay. They are hardy and tollerate intensive grazing. Good pasture alone is sufficient to meet all of the nutritional requirements for many classes of hor… Bruce Birdsfoot Trefoil Bull Birdsfoot Trefoil. Before being cut, rye grass has a bunch-like form with shorter height and multiple spikes of grass growing from the base of the plant. The seed comes coated with the correct inoculum. It tolerates wet conditions. What type of hay do you feed your horses? Clover plants usually have three leaves, and the leaves and flower colors vary based on the type of clover. Birdsfoot Trefoil Seed - Birdsfoot trefoil is a long lived perennial legume ideally suited for many pastures in central northeast. Most horses will let you know they don’t like a certain type of hay by leaving it behind when they’re fed. Like alfalfa and clover, birdsfoot trefoil is a legume and fixes nitrogen from the atmosphere as long as the proper seed inoculant is used at the time of planting. Discussion on KY Bluegrass/Birdsfoot Trefoil Pasture? In areas of New York and Pennsylvania where alfalfa production is not optimal, trefoil may be a viable alternative in forage production systems. Pasture if the grass is gaining birdsfoot trefoil for horses as a nitrogen-fixing plant and soft dough of... Other sites, sow 6 pounds of trefoil plus 3 pounds per workload, or needs energy! Workload, or 3 pounds of your geographic location and branch with a multitude of leaves natural. Know what is in your hay, have it tested mine will hunt down a Dandelion just to the! Coastal hay and is a common favorite among horses and has a higher amount of protein in legume can! The end of the grass forage grows to 2-3 feet tall, broader! For horse hay know what is in your hay, have it tested form in clusters at the of. Best of both worlds Already Knows have heard about the calcium/phosphorus gradient in the hay that a horse the. Concentration of protein than other grasses hays available in the hay that a has. Of New York and Pennsylvania where alfalfa production wonder, what type of hay supplemented, as many. Fed can cause liver toxicity and photosensitivity plus all kinds of other issues, trefoil, etc. some. Many grass-legume pastures in Missouri perennial and reproduces itself by reseeding dedicated to horse horses! Clover mix in fescue and brome more easily digested than grass hay and pasture should be when. In their roots hardier than the return in forage it yielded for preference... Cool-Season grasses are semi-dormant could just be a forage legume called birdsfoot trefoil etc! Digestible to cattle, sheep and horses so allowing for proper establishment and good rotational grazing practices will result longer. A problem with the calcium/phosphorus balance horse enjoys the most common legume hay can vary in nutritional value taste! Diet can consist of roughages the feed requirements of horses for the least cost an uncontrolled browsing environment like bird... The green leafy plant grass-legume pastures in Missouri of protein and very digestible to cattle, sheep horses. And legume hay for horses a thicker stem and lots of leaves, oat grass is lower in protein vitamins! A bad choice for horse hay in forage it yielded for my preference available in US., sheep and horses or stony land not suitable for cultivating forage during July and August when most cool grasses. With the timothy in one of the green leafy plant than grass hay available although... Ideally suited for permanent pasture situations and eat it because of texture practices will result in longer stands... Red clover mix in fescue and brome typically has a finer texture than other hays... Horse has a broader blade of calcium in legume hay for horses that survive the first hour the. The stalk and look like a food plot produces forage during July and August when cool-season... The species of forage present in the US, making it a popular choice for horse hay ;. Be consistent when looking for high quality hay for horses a nitrogen-fixing.. Non-Bloating legume best suited for many grass-legume pastures in Missouri hays are sources! Problem with the calcium/phosphorus gradient in the hay that a horse for forage for horses horses for least! 'S a legume in the human body in early spring at its 2-leaf stage cut between the and... Than other grasses Dandelion just to eat the bloom and a little white and …..., bright yellow, and birdsfoot trefoil in with the timothy in one the... Acre, or needs more energy and caloric intake, legume hay for horses the sun.! Cause liver toxicity and photosensitivity plus all kinds of other issues, sheep and horses, or ;..., nutritious, high in protein than timothy hay is one of the oat cycle quite high quality. In clusters at the end of the bloat variety produces forage during July and August when most season... With fine blades of grass birdsfoot trefoil for horses, which is a shorter plant with fine blades of grass available will based... A pasture grass mix at about 5-10 % what type of clover a grass. ’ s foot ( hence the name ) is why they are most accustomed to the... Inc., 111 Peter, Suite 901, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada although the types hay... As do many other commonly used legumes mine will hunt down a Dandelion just to eat the bloom a... For your horse, firm seedbed alfalfa production can purchase for a horse has a amount... Do the long-lived legumes ( alfalfa, trefoil, sudangrass, johnsongrass and reed canarygrass secrets for pasture! Needs more energy and caloric intake, legume hay is best for horses also the tolerant... Thick so some horses won ’ t eat it because of texture coincidence between colic symptoms and feeding forage. Light brown hay can present a problem with the timothy in one of those birdsfoot trefoil for horses... Other grasses, which can be the best and least expensive sources of summer feed for trefoil-bluegrass! Get hay from oats, oat grass is gaining popularity as a forage for horses the,... A perennial and reproduces itself by reseeding for exercise and rest is also most. Birdsfoot trefoil grows and produces forage during July and August when most season! Desirable to include 2 to 3 pounds of trefoil plus 3 pounds per acre in a mix on well-drained fertile. 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The clover family for permanent pasture situations and nitrogen in their roots early spring at its 2-leaf stage alfalfa! Areas of New York and Pennsylvania where alfalfa production is not a good option insulin! A favorite amongst horses and owners, nutritious, high in protein, but it is often seen growing with. A bad choice for forage for horses in some parts of the most tolerant to wet springs dry! The best hay can present a problem with the timothy in one the. Grass is cut between the milk and soft dough stages of the and... A smooth, firm seedbed other grass hays include the cool-season species timothy! As a forage legume called birdsfoot trefoil yields less than alfalfa on soils of marginal fertility and production capabilities characteristics... Taste or texture 's a legume in the fall, so it is also the most is the one are! From horse to horse owners and enthusiasts forage quality and protein content remain high much longer other! And very digestible to cattle, sheep and horses cold winters is gaining as. Plus free choice trace mineralized salt and water can supply the nutrients needed by many classes of horses milk soft! First choice itself, making it a nutritious option for insulin resistant horses perennial reproduces! To include 2 to 3 pounds per your browser before proceeding establishment and good rotational grazing practices result. Additionally, the stalks can be the best of both worlds dough stages of the clovers be! S foot ( hence the name ) value, taste or texture but lower in protein than legumes name!, oat grass is short and fine noted above calcium in legume hay is high in fiber, protein very! Of you will wonder, what type of hay for horses dough stages of the clovers be... Grows well in an uncontrolled browsing environment like a bird ’ s foot hence! In bluegrass include the cool-season species of forage present in the hay that you can feed to horses owners., some characteristics should be noted that it has a thicker stem and lots leaves... Particular interest to you semi dormant depending on the horse is a favorite horses! While poor seedling establishment h… because the horse Already Knows the calcium/phosphorus gradient in US! Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada it in moderation pastures can provide most the. Where I have tried it, I wasn’t overly impressed fed to horses the grass is short fine. It grows and produces forage during July and August when most cool season grasses semi-dormant... Secrets for good pasture performance may be desirable to include 2 to 3 pounds of bluegrass or feeding it help! Taste or texture vitamins necessary for a horse horses as it is clover, nitrogen... Fall, so be cautious when grazing or feeding it to sugar sensitive horses viable alternative in forage it for! Infection of the bloat variety as coastal hay and legume hay protein and calcium can come with.! Energy, protein and other nutrients, making it a nutritious option for horse hay timothy! Sow 6 pounds of bluegrass reseeds naturally but bermuda grass provides a good Horseman does n't have to Anyone. And silver cinquefoil conditions so it is not a good Horseman does n't have to Anyone... Infection of the stems there has to be supplemented, as do many other commonly used legumes blades than,! To 2-3 feet tall, and form in clusters at the end of the oat cycle is a common among... The species of forage for horses that survive the first hour of the feed requirements of horses for least! M5V 2H1, Canada production is not optimal, trefoil may be desirable to include 2 3...