Types of Winter Grass Horses Can Eat

Good grass feed is harvested during its optimal growth period to provide maximum micronutrients, proteins and natural vitamins. In addition, horse feed varieties must not be adulterated with chemical contaminants, mole grounds, weeds and other pollutants. It should be harvested under maximum hygienic conditions without the addition of chemical preservatives. Good quality grass forage enables a horse to better tolerate respiratory, blood and fertility problems. Winter grass fields require careful maintenance in order to provide the animal with essential nutrients through the cold season.

  1. Ryegrass

    • Winter ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) has a high drought tolerance, moderate-to-high shade tolerance and a high cold tolerance--making it an ideal winter grass variety. It prefers an acidic, sandy or loam soil type. Its roots release weed-inhibiting chemicals that check the growth of common ragweed, purslane, and redroot pigweed. It is planted in late fall and provides excellent excess soil nutrient removal and erosion control. Lolium mulitflorum 'lam,' or annual ryegrass, is a popular winter ryegrass variety.

    Triticale

    • Triticale (pronounced trit-ih-KAY-lee) is a man-made hybrid of rye (Secale cereale) and wheat (Triticum aestivum or Triticum turgidum). Winter triticaleis makes an excellent source of fiber in the fall and winter months. Triticale is able to efficiently digest starch in the stomachs of horses--for the release of energy. Triticale is high in protein, which is required to repair worn-out tissues, build new tissues and strengthen muscles. The deficiency of protein from a horse's diet leads to a loss of stamina, condition, weight and poor growth.

    Timothy Grass

    • Timothy grass is a perenial monocot from the Poaceae grass family. It was first introduced from Europe as a source of hay for horses and other farm animals. Timothy grass is now widely planted as forage and hay and its airborne pollen is known to cause hay fever. Timothy grass is easy to spot due to its characteristic cylindrical seedheads.