Pasture Management
for
Horses

Crested Dogstail Cynosurus cristalus

Favoured by horses
Withstands cold and dry conditions
Poor yield
Poor response to nitrogen

Uses for Crested Dogstail

May be included in horse paddocks as horses appear to particularly like it, even though its nutrient value might not be high. It is a short grass that is leafy at the base and should help to give a good bottom to a sward.

Physical Characteristics of Crested Dogstail

No auricles
Slightly flattened shoot
Ligule short and blunt.
Leaf blades obviously ribbed on upper surface smooth below
Possibly a yellow colour at base of base of stem.
Inflorescence type - dense panicle, looks like a spike but is obviously one sided (the stem is visible from one side but not the other).

Crested Dogstial Inflorescence


Close up of Both Sides of Inflorescence, Showing One-sided Nature


Crested Dogstail Leafbase