Barefooters - when looking for livery...

[TwoStroke]

Would you rule out yards on dairy farms? If the yard was perfect in every other way, and at high altitude, would the dairy pasture make it a no-go for you?

TIA

 

[abitodd]

I keep mine on a dairy farm at high altitude and the landlord fertilizes every year,so my summer turnout is well lush! Last year the grass was too good and I had to keep the horses in the big barn during the day. I also have a long stony track for turnout during the day when conditions are not so dangerous. All in all it is not perfect,I have to keep a close eye on weight.I keep them out 24/7 and unrugged in winter to keep their metabolism firing on all cylinders and try to exercise regularly in the lush season.I have boots to facilitate this as the hacking here is challenging even for a shod horse!

 

[PandorasJar]

First yard I had littlun on they knew nothing about horse care and had fertilized the fields non stop (lied about which ones originally too). Of 20/30 horses on site not one was unmuzzled over summer. I didn't last long there for a huge number of reasons but wouldn't again.

As an aside, I've moved our horses (including a lami prone one) onto a 35acre field with nice grass. They are the best weight they've ever been and the manage themselves. Moving with the herd constantly and not gorging, but grazing steadily.

So I wouldn't be too happy but with good roaming I would, small fields, no.

 

[TwoStroke]

Hmm, interesting. It's certainly a worry, and my TB at least could not be muzzled for weight reasons. I guess it will depend on if I can turn out at night over the dangerous periods. I hate looking for livery, it's a nightmare. And people look at you like you've grown a second head when you mention the grazing:barefoot effect :|.

 

[CBFan]

I'm afriad I would have to rule it out... Moving to a yard with unfertilised pasture is by far the best thing I have ever done for my boy...

 

[TwoStroke]

Thanks, CBFan. No sense moving to a lovely yard if it ruins my horses feet .

 

[nikkimariet]

In use dairy pasture or ex dairy pasture?

Ours are all barefoot and out on ex dairy pasture with no problems.

 

[TwoStroke]

It's a working dairy farm :\. It might be alright whilst they're in full work, I suppose, but if they had to have time off I may be in trouble.

Probably best not worth the risk, sadly. I'll ask about fertilisers etc, but I expect they use them religiously.

 

[nikkimariet]

It's a working dairy farm :\. It might be alright whilst they're in full work, I suppose, but if they had to have time off I may be in trouble.

Probably best not worth the risk, sadly. I'll ask about fertilisers etc, but I expect they use them religiously.

I think I'd avoid working dairy farm pasture; it'd be kept as rich as possible at all times which just isn't ideal for horses (even Fig is a skinny minnie, with good feet, but I think the sugars would sent him insane and play havoc with his feet in all the worst of ways).

 

[TwoStroke]

I expect you're right. I will phone them anyway, just incase they keep the horse pasture separate from the cattle and unfertilised... I doubt it though.

How did the copra go, btw?

 

[dafthoss]

I managed to get my native to loose loads of weight on ex dairy grazing out 24/7 the first summer I had him and he never wore a muzzle or was on restricted grazing. Kept him there for quite some time and he was always fine feet and weight wise on it.

 

[StoptheCavalry]

I've recently move to a yard so not done a summer yet, the owner has a few cows and apparently fertilises our fields so the grass is very lush in summer. 2 of us are barefooters although neither seem particularly sensitive to increases in sugars but when the time comes (please hurry ) we will just let them into the summer field gradually.

 

[zandp]

If you can alter the field to suit, i.e. create a track area or section it off, or turn out overnight and in during the day I'd be ok with moving. I was recently on an ex dairy farm and because the field was mine to do what I wanted with it was ok, i have a lami prone mare but she was ok for the 2 years we were there.

 

[MerrySherryRider]

Mine have been on ex-dairy and currently on a working farm sharing pasture with cattle in summer. TBH, the worst, their feet were, was when they were on a livery with over grazed individual paddocks.
Agree with the comment about large paddocks with a good grazing and herds helping to keep their weight more constant. They do self regulate, they are more active and less likely to gorge.