Grasses

The following table sets out common grassland species, information about them, their use by horses, and the soils they relate to.

If you would like this information in a more accessible format, please contact planning@southdowns.gov.uk

Species Common Name and Latin Name	Information	Main soil type
Cocksfoot Dactylis glomerata [thumbnail image?]	Quite drought resistant and productive. Horses are happy to graze it, especially in winter, but prefer it young.	All soil types. Can become dominant in fertile soils.
Common bent Agrostis capillaries	Not affected by latrines. Tillers well (produces side growth to create dense plants).	All soil types.
Creeping bent Agrostis stolonifera	Tolerant of a wide range of conditions. Favoured by horses. Tillers well and copes in low nitrogen conditions.	All soil types.
Crested dogstail Cynosurus cristatus	Favoured by horses. Good winter grass. One of the most productive grasses where nitrogen is not applied.	All soil types.
Meadow fescue Festuca pratensis	Often included in both conservation and horse seed mixes. May be favoured by horses.	All soil types.
Red fescue Festuca rubra	The native variety is one of the most palatable grasses to horses. One of the most productive grasses where no nitrogen is used. Very tolerant grass.	All soil types.
Rough (-stalked) meadow grass Poa trivialis	Stands up well to grazing, especially on heavy soils, and is palatable.	All soil types, especially clay.
Sheep’s fescue Festuca ovina	Nutritious but low-yielding. Withstands heavy grazing, is drought resistant and tillers well.	Prefers chalk and poorer soils.
Timothy Phleum pratense and Catstail Phleum bertolonii	A good grass on moist, heavy land and persists through winter. Leafy and high yielding, even with lack of nitrogen.	Suited to clay soils.
Upright brome Bromus erecta	Readily grazed by horses at all times of year.	Chalk soils.