Any point resting a field for a few weeks?

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

Afternoon

Getting highly sick of muddy field already and considering giving it a 4 or so week break for Jan or in Feb.

Situation is that have 3 acre field that is a couple of tracks in summer and fully open in winter. I have an area by gate that is mud free with a shelter that I fence off daily for turn out of two lami ponies and remove in eve for horse that go out overnight. Either 2 or 3 ponies go out at 9.30pm and come in a 7.30am. The field does not have great grass cover so hay needs to be fed in addition.

So far it doesnt look too bad, there are some muddy areas on other side of mats but the top of field is fairly dry and doing ok at the moment. However as I usually keep at least 2 out over night all winter by time spring comes it's in a bit of a state. I do rest it for a few weeks early spring and put ponies in garden (about 1/2 acre) but can't do this at present as too wet. We are on very very heavy clay

Seriously considering giving the feild a break but not sure if its worth it/will make much difference?

I have an all weather turnout as mentioned and well as a small grass trash paddock so all ponies will still get daily turnout while field resting. The one that is in work will most likely carry on doing a bit of work dependant on weather conditions.

Any thoughts?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Afternoon

Getting highly sick of muddy feild already and considering giving it a 4 or so week break for jan or in feb.

Situation is that have 3 acre feild that is a couple of tracks in summer and fully open in winter. I have an area by gate that is mud free with a shelter that I fence off daily for turn out of two lami ponies and remove in eve for horse that go out overnight. Either 2 or 3 ponies go out at 9.30pm and come in a 7.30am. The field does not have great grass cover so hay needs to be fed in addition.

So far it doesnt look too bad, there are some muddy areas on other side of mats but the top of feild is fairly dry and doing ok at the moment. However as I usually keep at least 2 out over night all winter by time spring comes it's in a bit of a state. I do rest it for a few weeks early spring and put ponies in garden (about 1/2 acre) but can do this at present as too wet.

Seriously considering giving the feild a break but not sure if its worth it/will make much difference?

I have an all weather turnout as mentioned and well as a small grass trash paddock so all ponies will still get daily turnout while feild resting. The one that is in work will most likely carry on doing a bit of work dependant on weather conditions.

Any thoughts?

We find that keeping the horses off the field but letting the sheep on it helps a muddy field to recover, so long as the weather is not just making it wetter and wetter.

 

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

We find that keeping the horses off the field but letting the sheep on it helps a muddy field to recover, so long as the weather is not just making it wetter and wetter.

Sadly no sheep nearby I can borrow. I have used them before and love how the fertilise as they go and squash all the mud flat with their teeny little hooves ? Ps I have a holding and flock no etc so all above board

 

[scats]

It works for me. I go between two fields and I tend to rest them for about 4 weeks at a time. The recovery they make is amazing, but I must say that mine are never completely trashed. I moved yesterday off my big field as the girls had had a bit of a mad one and churned it up a bit. I’ll take a photo tonight and then in 2 weeks and you’ll be amazed at the difference.

 

[Polos Mum]

It does depend on the weather (sadly) it has been really mild and I've just put mine back on a field they came off in mid October as there's a tonne of grass in it already.
My neighbours have made their winter field last ages so far by only doing day time turn out (not 24/7 as they have in other years) so if you can without detriment to the welfare of your ponies then I'm not sure you have much to lose.

 

[Goldenstar]

Each foot print causes damage so if you save the field a month of foot prints it will help .
I could also consider if keeping them off it during and after heavy rain as an other way .

 

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

Each foot print causes damage so if you save the field a month of foot prints it will help .
I could also consider if keeping them off it during and after heavy rain as an other way .

I have done this in previous years kept them in of really bad rain and done pen turnout instead but was wondering if preempting the weather and having them used to pen turnout might not be better?

Last year I'd given up poo picking by oct as too wet and 2 went out over night and 2 in am all winter but this year seems worse? Oddly I can still poo pick as doesn't leave muddy tracks bit the sitting water is grim. I also didnt need to hay at all last year and have been for a week weeks this year. Tis v odd

 

[PapaverFollis]

I think it is worth resting it. Especially as the grass is still growing a little bit. I've got mine on and off and through various gateways at the moment. Each gateway recovers a little bit with a bit of rest. Even just a week or so.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Sadly no sheep nearby I can borrow. I have used them before and love how the fertilise as they go and squash all the mud flat with their teeny little hooves ? Ps I have a holding and flock no etc so all above board

There's your answer, then! Get some sheep of your own.

I think if you borrow some you don't actually need your own holding number.

 

[hobo]

If you rested it now for 4 weeks while it is still really growing it will look better quickly it will also shock you just how much they are eating!
You than use it as soon as it dries out a bit and maybe do another short rest in April.

 

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

There's your answer, then! Get some sheep of your own.

I think if you borrow some you don't actually need your own holding number.

I'll let you break that news to DSW ? If I had less horses so less competition for grass I'd would def get a couple but all in all would rather borrow a few fleecers and let someone else cope with them cheerfully trying to die all the time ?

 

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

Have just splashed up the field to put hat out and it really is sopping wet at the min. I may well get a few little outings I have planned with cobbler out the way then move then to pen turn out for a couple of weeks and see how it goes ?

 

[Ranyhyn]

Definitely. You think about how much horses eat in a month! If its over 8degrees the grass is growing so any rest is good!

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

I have two paddocks and move the horses between them every few weeks in winter..it does make a bit of difference.

 

[HannahB]

Sadly no sheep nearby I can borrow. I have used them before and love how the fertilise as they go and squash all the mud flat with their teeny little hooves ? Ps I have a holding and flock no etc so all above board

I also have 2 main fields I go between, swapping once every 4 weeks. I learnt from an old horse keeper that by resting the fields, you also help the worm population fall, and if you have sheep they graze off tops of grass which contain the sugars that cause laminitis. We have sheep and very easy to look after, only really sheering in spring, occasional worming, and hoof trimming. Also sheep very cheap to buy, ours were around £60 each.