To Mow or Not to Mow...? Horse Pastures, Paddocks, and Fields

 and less digestible. When mowing grass pastures, it is important not to cut grass plants too short since cutting too short will reduce leaf area which is needed to stimulate growth. A grass plant that is cut too short is also prone to stress and may die. 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. Horses tend to graze in certain areas of a pasture and utilize other areas of the pastures to pass manure. The grazed areas are very short and known as “lawns.” The ungrazed areas consist of taller grass and they are known as “ruffs.” This is a bit of golf course terminology, but it describes well the different areas of a horse pasture. Mowing serves to shorten the taller grass and enhance its palatability. Over time this will help to eliminate the grazing patterns that can exist in horse pastures and provide better utilization of pasture.

What are the risks, if any, for horses grazing mowed pasture?

The biggest risk associated with mowed pasture is the possibility that the horse may consume molded grass. Once grass is mowed, the portion of grass that is clipped from the plant contains a high moisture content. These clippings are prone to molding. If horses eat grass that has molded, it can cause a variety of symptoms including coughing and nasal discharge, and extreme instances result in death due to mold toxins