Types of Grass for Quarter Horses

Horses are grazers and can spend hours each day cropping grass while in the pasture. Not all grass is the same when it comes to maintaining healthy Quarter Horses, though. Since they are performance and working horses, it is vital that Quarter Horses get sufficient protein and nutrients in their diet. An easy way to supplement a hay-based diet is with energy-rich grasses.

  1. Alfalfa Grass

    • Alfalfa is rich in calcium and other nutrients essential to healthy Quarter Horse development. Alfalfa encourages growth and lactation so it is best for younger horses. Any horse whose diet includes alfalfa should be monitored closely since the protein-rich grass can cause excess weight gain.

    Bermuda Grass

    • Bermuda grass can provide a good balance to alfalfa since it has constipating abilities, which balances the laxative quality of alfalfa. Bermuda grass does best in the warm, sunny months of summer. The grass is drought-resistant and has an extensive root system so it will continue to thrive in under moderate-to-heavy grazing conditions.

    Orchard Grass

    • Orchard grass is a good choice for horse owners on a budget since it is less expensive than other types of grazing grasses, such as Timothy grass. Orchard grass has more protein than Timothy grass, but is not as constipating as Bermuda grass.

    Tall Fescue

    • Tall fescue grass is a good option for cool-weather grazing. Like Bermuda grass, it is drought-resistant and can stand up to heavy grazing and traffic. A diet too heavy in tall fescue can cause weight loss and hoof soreness, so Quarter Horses should not graze solely on tall fescue and should be monitored.

    Timothy Grass

    • Timothy grass can be quite expensive, depending on where you live and how many acres you would like to plant for grazing pasture. Timothy grass is a particularly successful grass for free-fed horses and for horses with growth problems.

    Red Clover

    • Red clover can provide a nutrient-rich supplement to a hay diet. However, Quarter Horses that eat too much red clover can develop "blackpatch" or excessive salivating due to a fungus called Rhizoctonia leguminicola. The fungus thrives in cool, damp environments, so be sure to to feed your horse hay mixed with the red clover. Blackpatch is neither incurable nor fatal but red clover consumption should be limited.