Grazing advice

[Groom Mum]

Hi
more advice please !!

I have a field of 1.5 acres. I have three small ponies grazing on it, but i have actually temporary fenced off half of it as the grass was so long and rich I was advised not to let them graze the whole field. But because they are only on about an acre the grass has gone down short really quickly. It's also got pretty churned up and muddy too, as the ground seems so wet.

I could pull the temporary fencing down and let them into the other half but im sort of worried I will get short of grass too soon towards the winter.

Any suggestions what I should do? Should I just leave them where they are for a while longer and maybe give them some hay?

Sorry I'm new to all this, advice is very much appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Are they a good shape?
I would be tempted to divide what's left in half, then let them through into this bit overnight.
When this is a rugger pitch, then let them into final bit at night, shutting off the original part completely.
Then when knocked back leave them with the half paddock and give hay as required.
Dont use the resting (original) half till end Jan if not Feb, but def rest half at a time.
just my opinion tho, hope you work things out

 

[twodonkies]

have a look at track grazing systems for horses.. especially if you struggle with keeping weight off ponies during spring/summer/autumn. Basically, graze perimeter of field during summer months and supplement with hay/feed hay throughout this period. then during winter months graze down middle section which will now be really long, but wont have the sugars/richness of summer grass. There is a lot of information about this on line.