Is this a bad field or is it suitable for the grazing of horses and ponies ?
Horses and ponies need a suitable field to graze. You should always check a new field before turning a horse into it.
Poor management
Unsuitable boundary fencing posing a risk to horses.
· Old iron rails.
· Sheep wire
· Pig wire
· Chestnut fencing
· Barbed wire- especially rusty or sagging wire
Too many droppings
The picking up of droppings on a daily basis is very worthwhile.
It encourages growth of more palatable grass, decreases worm infestation and improves field appearance.
A field that is covered in piles of droppings needs cleaning and resting.
Poached field
A field that is badly cut up and muddy is known as a poached field.
This is due to poor drainage, which leads to surface water and too many horses on it during the winter months.
Over grazing
Tusocks of coarse grass surrounded by bare grass is usually a sign of over grazing.
Poisonous plants to horses
When choosing a field for a horse make sure there are no poisonus plants,
Shelter
High exposed fields that lack shelter are very cold in the winter months and provide no escape from flies and sun in the summer.
The field needs some form of shelter or shade.
Hedges and large trees do an excellent job or a field shelter.
Water supply
Horse need access to a fresh water supply.
On a hot summers day their water consumption is much greater, up to 45 – 54 litres a day.
If the field has a river or stream, make sure you are satisfied the water is safe and not polluted.
If you are not sure, a water sample needs to be collected and sent for testing.
Check if there is a suitable approach to the water, Steep banking on approach to the water supply are not safe for horses to access.
Bad field >> Home
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