Don't think I can do this anymore - old ponies and waterlogged fields

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billylula

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I've been awake half the night worrying about the ponies and listening to the rain. The field is completely waterlogged (they live out with a shelter that they never use). Mud is to the top of my wellies in some places (have tried to fence it off). One of our ponies is on loan to us, he's a 20 year old section a and he doesn't seem to be keeping condition on despite lots of hay and two feeds a day (fastfibre, horse and pony nuts (d and h) and happy hoof plus a bit of oil and a carrot). He's had lami in the past so that worries me too. The other pony HATES him going anywhere near food so I can't be sure that he is getting his fair share of hay. I know Pony A drives him away from the shelter (where I put most of the hay to keep it from being trodden into the mud). The ground is too wet to put the hay down and there is no convenient tree to hang a net from.

We do have the choice to move them to another field with loads of grass but it needs electric fencing all round (barbed wire, one pony rubs on everything) and I just don't have the time or energy to do it (four kids and a job!).

I've taken on too much I think and I'm feeling really down about it. Everyone else I know seems to have stables which makes things so much easier. Feeling sorry for myself!
 
It's a tough time of year and easy to be worn out. I can't offer any ready-made solutions but you could try one of the following if any of them are practical for you.
1. Move them to the new field but don't attempt to fence the whole thing off straight away - if you are going to use electric fence anyway, maybe try fencing one area of the field and then gradually moving it or expanding it as they graze it down or it gets poached. That way you can do it fairly quickly without spending a day fencing the lot. You could also separate the old pony for part of the day this way so he gets his ration of hay.
2. Get something down to form a base in one area of your existing field where you can feed hay in the relative dry. A friend uses the big round bales of straw and simple rolls it out and feeds on top of it. Means you'll have to sort it out come spring but you may well feel a lot better by then!
Keep your chin up - spring will be here before you know it. Hats off to you for coping with kids and ponies anyway!
 
What about using some electric fencing to make a little paddock that includes the shelter for the oldie? You say they don't use it anyway, so the others won't lose anything and he'll get to munch hay to his heart's content. This weather won't last forever, but it would give you breathing space and then you could review whether or not you're over-stretched when things are less stressful.
 
billylula said:
I've been awake half the night worrying about the ponies and listening to the rain. The field is completely waterlogged (they live out with a shelter that they never use). Mud is to the top of my wellies in some places (have tried to fence it off). One of our ponies is on loan to us, he's a 20 year old section a and he doesn't seem to be keeping condition on despite lots of hay and two feeds a day (fastfibre, horse and pony nuts (d and h) and happy hoof plus a bit of oil and a carrot). He's had lami in the past so that worries me too. The other pony HATES him going anywhere near food so I can't be sure that he is getting his fair share of hay. I know Pony A drives him away from the shelter (where I put most of the hay to keep it from being trodden into the mud). The ground is too wet to put the hay down and there is no convenient tree to hang a net from.

We do have the choice to move them to another field with loads of grass but it needs electric fencing all round (barbed wire, one pony rubs on everything) and I just don't have the time or energy to do it (four kids and a job!).

I've taken on too much I think and I'm feeling really down about it. Everyone else I know seems to have stables which makes things so much easier. Feeling sorry for myself!
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Winter is awful, but it's nearly over. :)I hope that this doesn't sound harsh, but if you've been kept awake half the night worrying, then you've wasted time effectively- so what's one weekend putting the electric fencing up, if it's going to stop you loosing sleep time? Personally, I'd invest the time doing that and then see how the A goes- it's coming toward spring and with the new grass, not only might he be improved, but you might be able to save money on feed.

I'd feel worse if you had no other option, but you have- a field full of grass- I know it's hard with work and children, but if you could right off a weekend (maybe not even that!) to electric fence it, I bet the problem will be resolved :)
 
Could you improvise a manger to help the oldie get some food? A big tub trug or old milk crate maybe? I drive a fence post in to the ground to tie a net to? Or put a ring on the outside of the shelter maybe?
 
How many ponies do you have there? Hard to tell from your post but if only two, can you split the shelter and shut them both in at night or tape it in half so they are separate but both can assess it if you didn't want the extra work of having them in at night.
Or like others have said, get out there and fence off the new field! It always sounds a bigger job then it actually is. Bet you'll get it done in an hour :-)
 
We do have the choice to move them to another field with loads of grass but it needs electric fencing all round (barbed wire, one pony rubs on everything) and I just don't have the time or energy to do it (four kids and a job!).
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You need to move them this weekend. And if you don't have the time nor energy you need to return the loan pony, and sell the rest.

As for horses not getting their fair share of the hay - have you thought about allowing everything access by having different feeding stations. I.e 4 ponies = 5/6 piles.......
 
Thank you, some really useful practical suggestions here. I will definitely make an effort to fence the new field on Saturday. It doesn't have a shelter which is why I've been reluctant to move them until now as its been so cold and I suspect the oldie MAY use it.

To make it more complicated, Oldie LOVES Pony A and hates being seperated from him - when I divide the field (which is what I did at the beginning) Oldie just tears up and down the electric fence in a frenzy which makes more mud and lakes :(
 
Agree with the others best bet is to move to the grassy field and erect the electric fencing. As said above, you can fence a smaller section to start with.

If that is not an option, or in the meantime if you can't do it straightaway, can you shut the old pony in the shelter overnight with hay (using electric fencing maybe).
 
On the plus side, Pony A still looks in fantastic condition and neither of them have mud fever and still have good feet according to farrier.
 
billylula said:
To make it more complicated, Oldie LOVES Pony A and hates being seperated from him - when I divide the field (which is what I did at the beginning) Oldie just tears up and down the electric fence in a frenzy which makes more mud and lakes :(
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Why do you need to separate them???
 
Unless you have 2 neds that are really good mates and share you should always put down more than one lot of hay so they can each get a supply. I use a metal crate for feeding haylage. It's one of those that's on the outside of an IBC water cube. It tends to work well and mine live out. I can move it easily so they are standing on the same bit of mud. Perhaps something like that in the field and the rest of the hay in the shelter?
It is an awful time of year as others have said. Perhaps get through winter and then return the loan pony and sell on your other. We all love our horses but you are clearly not enjoying it and perhaps you could return to horses when the children have grown up.
 
Also, have you had the oldie's teeth checked recently, as poor teeth is one of the most common reasons for weight loss in an older pony.
 
TBH i think most people are suffering with wet boggy fields!! my field took a battering in summer with all the rain, then with it being exceptionally wet again this winter its just reached its limit!! what makes it worse is that its clay so holds any water.
My horses are on 3.5 acres split into 2 paddocks. The mares paddock is terrible, thick bog, the colts isnt too bad. Its grim but spring will be here soon and the grass will start to come through.
So long as they have plenty of hay they should be fine :)
 
I know that feeling too well - laying awake listening to the rain and worrying about the oldies living out!

But 20 isn't hugely old in section A terms, and losing some condition is actually what nature intended - they are less prone to getting laminitis if they lose weight over the winter so although we don't like to see it, and as long as it's not too drastic, think of it as a plus.

Are any of the 4 children old enough to help? Make it a game - help mummy put out the posts (ok, might be a nightmare but you never know!) - and just fence of a quarter. Hopefully with grass the dominant pony will have his mouth too busy to push the older one away from feed.

And its 1st Feb, so it can only get better! :) (I think...)
 
Amymay I need to seperate them so that section a gets enough hay!

I put three or four piles out but Pony A watches oldie and drives him off each pile as he goes to it :(

oldest daughter more than helps - she feeds oldie first thing and checks them, then I feed him again after work. All girls help, they are great really. Husband drives but has nothing to do with paddock.

Thank you for the reassurance that spring is coming. Doesnt feel like it today!
 
I hear your pain :( I was in this situation last year.

I have one horse who eats really quickly and a pony who likes to take his time (both 24) which was a nightmare when feeding them both in the field. Oz would stuff his and then go and raid TJ's bucket pushing him away. I found seperating them whilst they ate their feed and hay the best option. I shut one in the shelter and fed straight away while I poo picked and did waters etc. I do have the luxury of having mine at home so would often pop in and do housey stuff while they ate their hay and then go and let them back together when I was sure that TJ had eaten well. He dropped a heck of a lot of weight last winter and I am certain it was living out and having to fight for his food. (in a wild herd situation it would be natural selection I guess) Thankfully we built stables last summer and they are in at night this year, pony is looking great this year.

It does get easier though I promise and now it is nearly spring too. Try and be positive, they hopefully have done the worst bit! Try and get your other paddock fenced like the others say even if it is just a small bit for now. You will feel so much better afterwards!

It isn't nice laying in bed and hearing the rain, I spent many a night awake and stressing to the point I would go out and check they were ok at 2 in the morning only to find them tucked behind the wood, warm and wondering why I was out in my PJ's shining a torch at them! Try not to worry, you've nearly done it! :)
 
Ugh, our mud is horrid atm too, I'm thankful we have nothing smaller than 14.2, otherwise I'd fear they'd be sucked into the abyss! :eek:

We have 3 out 24/7, and two that get stabled at night. Some are happy to share hay if they feel so inclined, but at night there is a minimum of 6 piles for 3 horses, and there's prob 8 piles for the 5 of them in the morning.

Can you feed an oldie specific feed such as D&H 16 + or similar (although I have no idea on the impacts on lami - ask your feedshop)

Don't worry too much, welshies are hardy beasts, and you'll likely be thanking a bit of his weight loss come spring :)
 
Do you have a good relationship with the owner of the loan pony? Could they have said pony back for a short period while things dry out?

When I have loaned out horses, they have come back to me temporarily if life was a bit tricky for the loanee at that particular moment. After all, very few of us could have planned for logistical problems that the excessive amount of rain has caused. Is it worth a chat ?
 
its tough but if you want to relieve your stress
Either take a day off or pay someone else to put fence up in new field,
find a different field/yard where its ready and nothing needs doing.
or get rid of ponies!
 
just to complicate matters...have telephoned owner of New Field to say I will be putting the fencing up tomorrow - she has decided we can't use it after all as it is too wet and will become trashed by the ponies. We can have it in May instead (when I don't need it as current paddock is full of grass and they are on restricted grazing anyway!).

Argh.
 
Thank you TJandOzzie - that's really reassuring. We are planning two stables this summer so hopefully this will be the absolute worst.
 
Right. I have galvanised myself into action. I'm going to chop current paddock in half and Pony A can have one and oldie can have shelter, then I don't have to stress about hay.

If its a mudbath, its a mudbath and I'll have to deal with any fallout. As long as I give them plenty of hay and exercise they'll be fine [crosses fingers]
 
Why split them up when you can simply put them in the paddock that has grass, and spread the hay a good distance apart.

Seems like you are over complicating things (and it's only 2 ponies(>
 
Ours is rather like that ATM - I think lots of folk are in this position. As long as they have hay they will be fine - putting down an area of hardcore and getting a round bale feeder or similar might help the situation for you - maybe even two areas of hardstanding - one in the shelter (with a bed on part?), and one outside, would mean that they each had access.

Could you build pens for when they are eating hard feeds?

Grass will be through soon, as particularly if they are good do-ers, you will be pleased that you let the field get so trashed! (I always seem to go straight from stressing about lack of grass to stressing about too much!). It is just this time of year that you look at it and think 'it will never come back this time!'.
 
Because one eats quickly and one eats slowly. If I put hay out - even lots of hay, in lots of piles - I can't be sure that Oldie will get his share because greedy NF will guzzle the lot. Did I not explain this earlier??
 
Lucyad yes last year we had WAY too much grass, so I am not worried about the poor grazing at the moment - its just the endless sea of mud...you are right though, it might make that first Spring flush not as stressful!
 
amymay said:
Why split them up when you can simply put them in the paddock that has grass, and spread the hay a good distance apart.

Seems like you are over complicating things (and it's only 2 ponies(>
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Because she no longer has the option of the grassy field:

billylula said:
just to complicate matters...have telephoned owner of New Field to say I will be putting the fencing up tomorrow - she has decided we can't use it after all as it is too wet and will become trashed by the ponies. We can have it in May instead (when I don't need it as current paddock is full of grass and they are on restricted grazing anyway!).

Argh.
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