| "body"> | | | | left in a mower bag or pile begin to mildew and |
| Grass clippings can be very dangerous to your | | | | ferment quickly. Eating moldy, fermented grass |
| horse. The potential for serious illness is high, so | | | | can cause colic or diarrhea. |
| take precautions when collecting and disposing of | | | | Respiratory Risk: Dry lawn clippings, on the other |
| lawn clippings. | | | | hand, can be dusty, triggering a reaction that |
| There are many reasons why grass clippings can | | | | leads to respiratory distress. |
| make your horse sick. | | | | Toxic Exposure Risk: Finally, grass clippings may |
| Choking Risk: Eating a big pile of lawn clippings is | | | | contain toxic chemicals or plants. Lawn care |
| not the same as grazing. When a horse grazes, | | | | products are not suitable for use on pastures and |
| he must go through the motions of selecting, | | | | therefore not suitable for consumption. And there |
| ripping, and thoroughly chewing grass. When faced | | | | are any number of toxic plants that may get |
| with a great big pile of wet grass, a hungry horse | | | | mixed in with the grass clippings. |
| may take big mouthfuls and end up with a wad | | | | Mowing your pasture should not cause these |
| of hay stuck in its esophagus. This condition is | | | | problems. Usually, the clippings will dry quickly and |
| called choke and it's serious, usually requires the | | | | be distributed throughout the pasture, eliminating |
| veterinary intervention. | | | | the dangers associated with mold, fermentation |
| Colic Risk: Additionally, lawn clippings will | | | | and choke. The risk of toxic plant or chemical |
| dramatically upset the balance of microbes in the | | | | exposure is also eliminated. Horses can safely |
| hindgut, potentially leading to colic or laminitis. | | | | consume dry, well-distributed clippings along with |
| Mold Risk: Damp, green clippings that have been | | | | the pasture grass. |