THE SPECIES PREFERENCES OF GRAZING HORSES

Palatability studies of 29 species of grasses, legumes and herbs, and two seeds mixtures, were conducted using three replicates of each species. Crossbred ponies and a few Thoroughbreds were obserred and timed for a total of 260 hours grazing. The results were analysed and sbowed small statistical differences between replicates, between tbe 2 years observed and between horses; and highly significant differences (P<0.001) between certain species. The most palatable was a clover-rich mixture. Tbe pasture varieties of perennial ryegrass were significantly more palatable tban S24, and as palatable as timothy and cocksfoot Alta tall fescue, crested dogs tail and wild white clover were palatable. Some herbs, red clover, brown top, red fescue and meadow foxtail were tbe least palatable. Dandelion, ribgrass and yarrow were palatable herbs.