grass types for horses

HorseOwner – posted 25 March 2005 14:22

Please help!

I moved into my home in Nov. I have 2 horses and I had to put them in the backyard until I could build another fence. They are now in “their yard” but the grass is not holding up well. Also my back yard is an absolute MUD PIT. I live in Spring Texas.I need some advice.

1)What should I fill the low spots in my backyard with sand or dirt? I also have dogs, and I hope to be able to use the backyard as a rotational pasture for the horses.2) What grass/grasses hold up to heavy horse wear? I have 2 1200lb horses and each “yard” is approximately .5 acre. 3) I will have a 3 yard (also approx .5 acre) when I fence in my front yard but it is heavily shaded with 80-year-old pines. Is there a different horse-appropriate grass for that?

Help–I have a pool in the backyard (and no the horses stayed out of it thank goodness) so I would like to do something ASAP so that I can enjoy my new house.

Thanks

cohiba – posted 26 March 2005 10:57

The only thing I know is that horses should’t eat any grasses that are “Endophyte Enhanced” These grasses are bred with a micro organism that makes them unattractive to animals and insects. Fescues have it naturally. I believe.

Good luck………………