Clovers are not toxic to horses, but red clover will cause a horse to have excessive slobbering. A fungus on the red clover irritates the mucus membrane of the month causing the production of more saliva. It is usually not detrimental to the horse. When the red clover is removed, the slobbering stops. White clover does not cause excessive slobbering in horses.
Including a grass-legume mix in the recommended forage species has advantages, such as an extended grazing season and nitrogen fixation by the legumes, which enables a lower nitrogen application rate for optimal growth. Choices of grasses and legumes in a seeding mix will vary by your area of the country, as well as the soil characteristics of the area in question.
Consult your local county Cooperative Extension office to discuss the details of your pasture establishment, as well as what grass and/or legume grows best in your area. The acceptability of some forage species, such as reed canarygrass, will vary by location.
