Pasture Management
for
Horses

Perennial Ryegrass Lolium perenne

Many varieties have been bred.
Highly productive if higher levels of Nitrogen fertilzer applied.
Persistent if fertility good.
Tolerates intensive grazing
Does not like very dry conditions
Does not like low fertility
Can be damaged by cold weather

Uses for Perennial Ryegrass

Used extensively in agricultural grassland for medium to long term leys where it is highly productive.

Varieties which tiller which tiller well, have prostrate habit, and late heading will be most suitable for horse paddocks and seed should be reasonably cheap. It should be remembered that it may not be the most productive grass when Nitrogen fertilizer rates are at the lower levels commonly used in horse paddocks. It has also been suggested by some research work that rygrass under stress produces higher levels of fructans (a sugar used as a food store) than other species and this could be involved in laminitis.

Useful for hay and silage making but some varieties have higher moisture contents which may be unhelpful.

Physical Characteristics of Perennial Ryegrass

Smallauricles (may be difficult to see).
Flattened shoot.
Leaf blades obviously ribbed on upper surface, smooth below.
Red colour at base of base of stem.
Inflorescence type - spike, no awns present

Perennial Ryegrass Inflorescence


Perennial Ryegrass Spikelet


Perennial Ryegrass Leafbase