06/13/2026
I get this question a lot!
Do you know the differences between timothy and foxtail? 🌾🌾
Timothy is a desirable perennial forage with seed heads that lack awns (left).
Foxtail is a weedy, annual grass with awns on the seed heads (right). Awns are bristle-like structures, which can embed into the horse's lips, mouth, gums, and gut when eaten. Foxtail seed heads tend to be a greater problem in hay than pasture since horses cannot easily sort them out.
For more information on foxtail, visit https://extension.umn.edu/horse-pastures-and-facilities/plants-cause-mouth-blisters
