Dilemma about grazing - what would you do??

horse_lover

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I moved to a yard Jan this year, which had plenty of grass. With liveries increasing there are now more liveries than grazing. Mares and geldings are separate and there are a few that have to have their own paddocks (for some reason or another). Most of the fencing is barbed wire, when I viewed the yard I specifically asked if i could go in a field without it (I have 2 accident prone geldings) and this was accomodated. Since March every other group of horses has moved into a field with plenty of grass, while their fields were rolled and fertilized except the group mine are now. They were moved into a small field which had been grazed all winter so not a great deal left. It has barbed wire and I have had injuries! The grass is now down to dirt and of the 4 owners with horses in the field, I have been the only one poo picking and now almost cleared the field. I heard on the grape vine that we are now all moving fields, but our group is due to go in another field with no grass :( I have been given 2 choices to move them to no grass and barbed wire or move them to another gelding group (with known bullies in it) to have some grass and barbed wire. I am really desperate for grass as both are TB and one in particular needs the weight putting on, but seriously concerned with the possible vet bills i may face. What would you do if you were in my position?
 
move yards if its not suiting your needs, sorry, but if you're not happy with the field situation (which at this time of year is very important), then I can't see you have much choice really.
 
move yards if its not suiting your needs, sorry, but if you're not happy with the field situation (which at this time of year is very important), then I can't see you have much choice really.

I have been looking around for the last couple of months because of how bad it is, but not been able to find anything, I have even put ads up on local horsey websites, but no response :(
 
I would move! Safe, good grazing is my no 1 priority when looking for a yard! If you can't move then how about investing in electric fence to keep your boys away from barbed wire!
 
Have you tried your horses with the gelding group with the more dominant horses in it? They might get on fine and the problem solved...you won't know unless you try. If the field is big enough they might stay away from each other?
In the mean time keep looking for new yards, ask on here if anyone knows of any yards in your area.
 
I am afraid I would not stay in a yard with barbed wire even if the grazing was good. I would rather travel further for safe turn out. Hope you find something.
 
Yes you def need to move. I think you will have to consider travelling further. Have you tried this website? http://www.*******.co.uk/
 
Move your horses! Depends what facilities you want where you keep your horses. If you can do without arena etc. I'd suggest approaching local farmers - direct. A friend of mine has just done this. The farmer, who only occasionally has had an odd horse or two over the years, couldn't have been more accommodating. She's been there 2 months now and says her horses have beautiful grazing, she's going to be allowed to put up a shelter, and the farmer's extended family all keep an eye on her horses.

Perhaps there's someone like that waiting for you! But even if you need to stick with a conventional yard, I still think you should try to move. You sound to be getting a really poor deal - or rather your horses do!
 
get out the comfort zone, make a very big effort and find somewhere better! i fully understand your probs as i have tbs and would never mix them with other horses or barbed wire, fatal!, if you can find somewhere invest in an electric fencer and some nice wide tape you only need one strand, it will save you loads in vet bill injuries and give peace of mind and give the chance to separate yours from others, i've been there and you have my sympathy, but its time to up your game and sort this out, its sounds awful, speak up for the horses make it quite clear this is not satifactory, then go out and ask everyone, everywhere for what you need for the horses, be really pushy, i had to do that many years ago and it lead to having my own field, good luck
 
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