advice on splitting field into smaller paddocks and rotationk

Jason Howlett

New User
Joined
13 April 2014
Messages
1
Visit site
I would love some advice on the following scenario:


·******** 16.2 show jumper.

·******** Stabled overnight - turn out from 8 till 4 - so 8 hours a day.

·******** Fed conditioning cubes / mix, alpha A and speed beet as well as haylage.

·******** Ridden 6 times a week, 2 jump, 4 flat for circa 45 - 60 minutes including good warm up and good cool down.



I have approximately a one acre field for him, which is flat and well drained with good quality grass.


1.*** How many sub paddocks should I divide this into?

2.*** What size should each be and should the be the same size or different to suit the season / rotation?

3.*** What should be the rotational pattern and should the rotation pattern be different dependent on season?
 
I would expect 1 acre to be too much, or OK, depending on the land/grass when the grass is really growing spring/summer and not enough when the grass isn't growing and it's wetter eg winter.

You could try a Paddock paradise system (move the electric fence to expose fresh grazing or reduce grazing as needed) for spring/summer and autumn if the grass is still growing well and the ground isn't too wet, then use the whole paddock for winter. Do you have any other grazing to harrow/reseed/rest the paddock as required?

paddock-paradise-track.gif
 
How is his condition/ weight currently?

Is the plan for 1 acre to last you all year? and will his winter turnout be the same?

What is the grass like? old proper horse pasture with lots of different things in or luminious cow pasture a foot deep?

If he's in not too fat condition and it's not crazy cow pasture just been fertilised I probably wouldn't split it up at all, maybe in Sept/ Oct split in half so you can rest it when the weather is bad but if he's only out 8 hours anyway and if it#s not heavy clay again I'd probably just leave it all open
 
Remember every time you divide you increasing the stocking density and there will be loss of grass with poaching at a gateways and poo areas. Horses always seem to walk fence lines and wear grass.
On an acre I would only divide into two and cut down hard feed/hay if needed. Poo pick daily and the rested part fertilise and weed as needed, if you use low nitrogen fertiliser you will get the plant size increasing but not lush growth and feed little and often. In August let him have the whole field but be getting ready for autumn/winter. When it rains look how the land copes and the best draining bit think of using that area for a winter trash pad.
Treat grass as a crop and think ahead.
 
I would split it into 2 for the growing season and rotate every couple of weeks - then come autumn/winter let him have the whole acre, especially if not out 24/7hrs.

As others have said a lot depends on your soil type/fertitily/drainage but my paddocks cope with the above routine. In the spring/summer I find there is plenty of grass from 1 acre with no need for hay, but in the winter I need to give hay to supplement grass in the field from approx Dec - April.
 
Last edited:
Top