Clay fields and hoof prints!

[Charmin]

Ahh I blinking hate being on clay, our fields are so pot holed - we seemed to have missed the perfect conditions for rolling as we rolled them but they must have been a little too firm.

The horses have worn down tracks which are quite wide and they stick to these when going faster than a trot, but a gateway between the two fields has very big hoof marks that have dried rock solid and I have nightmares of them breaking legs.

They've now gone down to the summer fields which are rolled and primed so they can have a good blast there, so fingers crossed for a bit of rain and prime rolling conditions!

Anyone else want to join the I hate clay brigade?

 

[Nymphea]

I'm in exactly the same position. We had to move our horse and pony to a livery in December as the clay soil makes it impossible to keep them at home over winter. I was finding it a struggle paying the livery bill so didn't have any spare money to get the field harrowed and rolled and missed the very small window of opportunity to get it done. Now I've got foot high grass which will all get wasted when and if I can afford to get the field worked on. It's a catch 22 situation, I can't afford to get the field sorted because I'm paying the livery and can't bring them home because the fields too dangerous. I hate clay soil.

 

[Tern]

Yes i would on Clay with on 4 acres and two horses - Will let you just think of the state of our fields! Had to move them this years because it was so bad.

 

[Auslander]

Feel your pain! I must be the only person in Berkshire rejoicing that its pouring at the moment, because i have someone booked to come and top/harrow/roll all my fields next week! They are awful at the moment - poor horses are all old/infirm, and I hate seeing them try to negotiate the ruts!

I'm even more pleased, because the place is on the market, so it was the estate agent who mentioned that it all needed doing - and the owner said that if I project managed, he would pay for it! I'd already had a quote to get it done, and was working myself up to putting my hand in my pocket. Glad I waited now!

 

[ponydi]

I've borrowed sheep, which helps a lot...

 

[Charmin]

Over the winter we have a herd of 4 on about 4 acres, thankfully with concrete around the top gate but we have to open up two fields for them and the gateway between them is an absolute nightmare! It gets so deep in the depths of winter, but now it's rutted and horrible. Thankfully they are a calm bunch and stick to the tracks they've worn, and the rest of the field isn't too bad.

The summer fields are smooth and lovely having been rolled when damp so I'm hoping they're enjoying a good unrestricted roam around!

 

[snowstormII]

I was all about to be smug yesterday after I had 'rolled' my Berkshire clay field with the Discovery (don't own a proper roller!), only to see the nearly 2 year old ripping up the top layer again today after some rain, racing around just 'cos he could! Honestly, I give up!

 

[flirtygerty]

My last place was on clay, a nightmare during winter, gateways went to welly pulling sludge and the access route to the barn from the field defies description, on a slope with an underground stream adding to the problem, attempting to avoid the knee deep mud, the horses would use the edge, increasing the muddy bits, horses are now very happy in a well drained field with not a lot of mud