Field management for beginners yay!

[Ahrena]

I've been fighting for my own field at my DIY yard for a while now and with the imminent arrival for my new mare I have finally been granted permission! I'm very happy and excited as its strictly DIY so most management is left to us (I.e resting parts of it and poo picking) which is fine but Squirrel is currently in a field with 2 other geldings who's owners are lovely but I think poo picking ECT is a foreign language to them.

Also although I'm pretty happy on my yard, the grazing isn't managed well and pretty overun with weeds, mainly thistles, nettles and buttercups. They are narrowed, which does happen and Apparantly sprayed although I havnt seen that happen for a long time.

So I'm very pleased to have a patch to manage. Its not huge, maybe 2-3 acres but plenty big enough for 2 whilst divided in 2.

Its currently got half grazed - fairly short grass now which is fine, but quite a lot of buttercups in half of the grazed bit and lots of thistles and nettles. The other half is a bit of a jungle.

Now I am a bit limited to what I can do with it as I am on a livery yard so no sheep or anything bigger than a strimmer is an option really.

So what would you do to turn it into a paradise?

I thought about sectioning it off more so I can spray something on buttercups if its not too late (but what?? I need to do it by hand), and strumming away all the big nasty thistles and nettles. This was done before and the horses seemed to eat it once strummed - is this ok?

Then I was thinking of moving the fence foot by foot into the jungle so it slowly gets grazed and becomes managable.

Then what? Numpty question but long term how do I get more grass and less weeds!?

I have never done anything like this before so might have numpty questions!

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Thistles and nettles and buttercups are all fine once dried, but section off while they are still drying, also be sure no ragwort at all as that's more dangerous re toxins and more palatable dried. Nettles positively good. Do check with YO re strimming the thistles tho as they might be concerned that if close to seeding it might spread the seeds around.

One way to tackle the buttercups is to lime the ground, this can be done without moving horses as its safe for horses. Raising the ph of the soil in this way helps to discourage them (tho I think everywhere has a lot this year due to the cold late spring).

Sprays wise I'm sure someone will know what's best for buttercups, pastor rings a bell for some of the weeds mentioned.

If anyone has any sheep they would be the best answer, close folded they would sort a lot of your issues but I'm guessing that's not part of the livery deal :-DD

 

[LovesCobs]

for buttercups I'd strim them this year as it is a bit late, they are safe when dried so leave for a bit and then let horses on. thistles and other weeds. if I was you this year I would cut them at the base. then you could if you wanted to, and can keep the horses off for a couple of weeks, spot spray the roots with a napsac sprayer (Progreen website is helpful)
whilst its new and you're keen to get it sorted you can happily spend the summer doing the best you can to then be on top of it for next spring. but I'm no expert as learning myself this year! enjoy