Grass Clippings Can Be Dangerous To Your Horse

Grass clippings can be very dangerous to your horse. The potential for serious illness is high, so take precautions when collecting and disposing of lawn clippings.

There are many reasons why grass clippings can make your horse sick.

Choking Risk: Eating a big pile of lawn clippings is not the same as grazing. When a horse grazes, he must go through the motions of selecting, ripping, and thoroughly chewing grass. When faced with a great big pile of wet grass, a hungry horse may take big mouthfuls and end up with a wad of hay stuck in its esophagus. This condition is called choke and it's serious, usually requires the veterinary intervention.

Colic Risk: Additionally, lawn clippings will dramatically upset the balance of microbes in the hindgut, potentially leading to colic or laminitis.

Mold Risk: Damp, green clippings that have been left in a mower bag or pile begin to mildew and ferment quickly. Eating moldy, fermented grass can cause colic or diarrhea.

Respiratory Risk: Dry lawn clippings, on the other hand, can be dusty, triggering a reaction that leads to respiratory distress.

Toxic Exposure Risk: Finally, grass clippings may contain toxic chemicals or plants. Lawn care products are not suitable for use on pastures and therefore not suitable for consumption. And there are any number of toxic plants that may get mixed in with the grass clippings.

Mowing your pasture should not cause these problems. Usually, the clippings will dry quickly and be distributed throughout the pasture, eliminating the dangers associated with mold, fermentation and choke. The risk of toxic plant or chemical exposure is also eliminated. Horses can safely consume dry, well-distributed clippings along with the pasture grass.

By Moira Clune and Noreen Girao

Let Practical Horsekeeping show you how to become an efficient, effective equine expert! Moira Clune and Noreen Girao provide helpful horse care information with a practical twist at http://PracticalHorsekeeping.com/ Our free horse care ezine shows you the fastest, safest, smartest ways to care for your horse and create an organized, appealing environment that works for horse and rider! Sign up today and get our free, veterinarian approved Colic Preparedness Report that shows you exactly what to do in a horse colic emergency. Join us today at http://www.practicalhorsekeeping.com/horsecarenewsletter.html and start getting practical!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Moira_Clune