Pasture Management
for
Horses

Creaping Red Fescue Festuca rubra

Good winter hardiness
Copes with low fertility soil
Gives good bottom due to creeping habit
May not be palatable due to bristle like leaves, but is favoured by horses
Digestibility and mineral content may be low
Pure fescue sward can lead to fescue toxicity
Poor establishment

Uses for Creeping Red Fescue

Frequently used for sports turf, and horse paddocks where it produces a good hard wearing turf helped by its creeping growth habit. Unfortunately its popularity in sports turf helps to keep the price of seed high, otherwise it might be used more for horse pastures.

Physical Characeristics of Creeping Red Fescue

No auricles
Has rhizomes
Leaf blade rolled and bristle like.
Inflorescence panicle