Is Kentucky Bluegrass Good For Horse Pasture?

Kentucky Bluegrass is low-growing and, therefore, low-yielding. Because of this, it is not ideal for hay but is excellent for horse pastures. It is highly nutritious, very palatable, and tolerant of close, frequent grazing. Kentucky Bluegrass also forms a tight sod, providing good pasture footing.

What kind of grass is best for horse pasture?

Grass mixtures containing the following species are good for Midwest horse pastures.

• Endophyte-free tall fescue.
• Perennial ryegrass.
• Kentucky bluegrass.
• Timothy.

Why is Kentucky soil good for horses?

The Maury and McAfee silt soils commonly found here are especially rich in phosphorus and calcium from a layer of limestone. This combination makes the grass grown here especially good for horses; the combination of minerals contributes to building strong bones!

What is horses favorite grass?

In this study, the horses showed a preference for Kentucky bluegrass, timothy, and quackgrass. They didn’t seem to care for orchardgrass, creeping foxtail, or meadow bromegrass. Reed canarygrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, meadow fescue, and smooth bromegrass fell into the moderately preferred group of grasses.

Where does Kentucky bluegrass grow best?

Kentucky bluegrass prefers full sun, but some varieties can do well in lightly shaded areas. Look on the seed tag label of many grass seed mixes, including shade and sun-and-shade mixes, and you’ll find KBG varieties alongside other cool-season grasses.

What should I plant in a horse pasture?

Horses prefer berseem clover, winter rye, and annual ryegrass over turnip and radish. These forages can be useful for extending the grazing season for horses. Because berseem clover produces little forage, you should plant it in a mixture with winter rye or annual ryegrass.

What grass do horses not like?

What kind of grass is bad for horses? Don’t let your horses eat any of the following: sorghum, sudangrass, johnsongrass, or any varieties of these types. Horses can get sick from eating this grass. That’s why horse owners must know what the grass is in their pastures.

What should I fertilize my horse pasture with?

Nitrogen
Nitrogen (N)
Grass pastures containing high yielding forages that are being heavily grazed require approximately 100-150 pounds of nitrogen per year. The nitrogen should be split into three applications of 50 pounds each. Fifty pounds of nitrogen should be applied in spring and fall.

How do I keep my horse pasture from getting muddy?

Six Ways to Prevent Mud

1. Assess your horse’s daily environment. Mud reduces grazing areas and can cause physical problems for horse and human.
2. Use pasture grass to help manage water flow.
3. Control horse traffic.
4. Control the flow from barn downspouts.
5. Install pervious concrete.
6. Consider creating an all-weather pad.

Is Kentucky bluegrass good for livestock?

Uses and Management: Kentucky Bluegrass provides a dense, green sod, especially well adapted for lawns, beautification, and recreational uses. Its forage value is good for livestock and wildlife in early spring when few other plants are growing.

Do horses eat Kentucky bluegrass?

Kentucky Bluegrass is low-growing and, therefore, low-yielding. Because of this, it is not ideal for hay but is excellent for horse pastures. It is highly nutritious, very palatable, and tolerant of close, frequent grazing.

What is the best forage for horses?

Forage Crops for Horses

• Perennial Grasses. Base your forage program on a perennial pasture.
• Bermudagrass. Bermudagrass is a sod-forming, perennial warm-season grass that can be grown statewide.
• Bahiagrass.
• Tall Fescue.
• Orchardgrass.
• Timothy.
• Kentucky Bluegrass.
• Perennial Legumes.

What is the fastest growing pasture grass?

Teff grass originates from Ethiopia. It is a warm-season annual grass that can be used for hay, silage, or pasture. It is fast growing, high yielding, and a forage of excellent quality.

What are the pros and cons of Kentucky bluegrass?

On the positive side of both of these, though, is the fact that it has a quick bloom period in the spring, and recovers extremely quickly from drought wear. Another disadvantage is that Kentucky Bluegrass is not very shade tolerant and will thin or die if planted in heavy shade.

Is Kentucky bluegrass better than ryegrass?

Kentucky bluegrass has better disease, drought, and wear tolerance the perennial ryegrass, but is very slow to germinate. Hence bluegrass and perennial ryegrass are often used in the same mix to get the best of both worlds.

Does Kentucky bluegrass spread quickly?

Kentucky bluegrass is slightly slower to establish than many other cool-season grasses. The slow establishment is primarily a result of slow (approximately 14 days) germination. However, once established it spreads quickly via its extensive rhizome production.

What trees can I plant in my horse pasture?

Safe Trees
If you do wish to plant trees for shade or windbreak in or near your pasture, you might consider the following: Tulip Poplars. Carolina or Canadian Hemlock (not water hemlock which is toxic) Willow.

What should I seed my horse pasture with?

“Figure out which species you need, either to extend grazing or provide more production,” he continued. “Tall fescue is the best grass to stockpile for late fall and winter grazing. Of the cool season grasses, it will produce the most and preserve the best into winter, compared to orchardgrass.”

What is the best material for a horse paddock?

Rock products, also known as sand and gravel, are a great choice for paddock footing because they are extremely slow to break down, don’t hold moisture or bacteria, and can be supported for a stronger base.

Should you mow horse pasture?

Mowing your pastures to a height of 4 inches three to four times a year will keep the grasses less mature. Young plants are more desirable and palatable for horses. Make sure to mow weeds at or before flowering to prevent seeding. You can apply herbicides selectively and carefully as necessary.

How tall should horse pasture grass be?

The optimum height for a cool-season grass is approximately four inches (10 cm), while the optimum height for a warm-season grass is approximately eight inches (20 cm). Mowing pastures also reduces grazing patterns.