Further studies on palatability of grasses to horses

The palatability of twelve grasses to horses was assessed by measuring the height of grass before and after grazing. The grasses were grazed on seven occasions between September 1974 and November 1975 by ponies, Thoroughbreds and hunters. There were significant differences (P < 0.001) between the palatahHity of the grasses, the most palatable being creeping red fescue (Festuea rubra) and tall fescue (Festuea arundinacea). The least palatable grasses were perennial ryegrass(Loliumperenne) and Meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis). There was some evidence that the amount of grass consumed was negatively correlated with the calcium concentration in the herbage.