- Nutritional concerns: Grass clippings can provide some nutrients, but they are generally low in protein and other essential nutrients that your horse needs for proper growth and maintenance. Additionally, grass clippings can be high in moisture content and low in fiber, which can disrupt the normal digestion process in horses.
- Contaminants: Grass clippings may contain various contaminants, such as pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, or weed killer residue. These substances can be harmful to your horse if consumed in significant amounts.
- Mold and toxins: Freshly cut grass clippings can quickly develop mold, particularly if they are not properly dried. Moldy grass clippings can produce harmful mycotoxins, which can cause various health problems, including respiratory issues and digestive problems when ingested by horses.
- Risk of digestive upsets: Grass clippings are often indigestible for horses. The rapid fermentation of grass clippings in the digestive tract can cause gas buildup and lead to colic, a painful condition caused by gastrointestinal disturbances.
- Lack of variety: Feeding only grass clippings can result in a lack of dietary variety for your horse. Horses benefit from a diverse diet that includes a variety of forage sources, such as hay, pasture, and grass hay.
For these reasons, it is best to avoid feeding grass clippings to your horse. Instead, provide them with a balanced diet of high-quality hay, fresh water, and other appropriate feed supplements as recommended by your veterinarian or equine nutritionist.