The Grass Doctor

Types Of Grass Seed For Horses?!?!?!(Please answer!!)?

We are fencing off a new pasture, and there isn't a lot of grass. I am looking for the names of grass seed that is good for horses.(nutrients,that type of stuff) And if you want to know, We are NOT going to put the horses in the pasture until it has alot of grass. :) ok! Websites,or personal opinions are welcome.! Thank you!!! i live in west virginia.

Public Comments

1. Go to your local feed store, and they will be able to advise you about grass which grows best in your area. The local Agricultural Extension Agency (a government agency) will have excellent information about grass, weeds,etc. You need to make sure you get local advice, because it does vary according to location.
2. Definitely contact your county extension agent for advice. They can also help you with a soil test. In West Virginia you probably have several options for grasses, and the best might just be a mixture of several types of seed. If you don't intend to get real and local advice, you will probably do okay with orchard grass in WV.
3. Your local farm bureau or agricultural extention can advise you and also sell you the seed. There are usually choices of pasture mixes for horses, some including legumes like alfalfa, and others just grass mixes. Some offer low fructan grass mixes because of the high incidence of insulin resistance in horses and the high numbers of laminitis-prone horses. They can also do soil testing to determine whether you need to balance the soil. Just be aware that it takes two years for new grasses to develop a sturdy enough root system to handle the abuse that grazing horses inflicts. Horses eat the grass down to the ground and will pull the roots out if they aren't mature, and their hooves will tear up the ground without a well established root system.