Grazing without shade

L

Len

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Hi,

Would anyone have a problem grazing their horses in paddocks with no shade available natural or otherwise. Bare with no trees etc - is it just me being awkward?!
 
No, you are not being awkward - that's tough on the horses &, if possible, maybe they need to be in during the day.
 
We are moving and at the moment have alot of mature overhanging trees though my girl doesnt seek out the shade - it is good for her in the winter though and she does stand under them in the rain. The new place is v expensive and posh! but a serious lack of trees - I have specified that I need some natural shelter and I dont think I will move unless this can be met.
 
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I have specified that I need some natural shelter and I dont think I will move unless this can be met.

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Apart from planing some emergency trees - do they actually have any fields with natural shelter, or a field shelter??
 
The geldings field is lovely with some large trees but they are fenced around them but I suppose they could just get under the branches at a push - the mares fields have no trees in them - some edge onto woods like the one that was suggested for our move but still there are no shady spots really - cant understand this as I would think all owners would like some natural shelter/shade. My mare is light grey and has v fine hair and pink skin on ears and muzzle and is in her late teens - she doesnt look for the shade in summer but does use the trees in winter.
 
Depends on the horse, some are not bothered but others would need to get out of the bad weather or very hot weather. My horse would not cope, he has a field stable that he has access to all the time and he has spent most of the day during the hot weather in it of his own accord because he cannot cope with the heat...but then he is black!!!
 
PF behaves like a lizard; she positively lounges in the sun and bear in mind it gets to 40C here!! I wouldn't be particularly happy about her not having any shade here, but the UK has a much more benevolent summer. It is true though that horses have different 'comfort' zones temperature-wise.
 
I have a cheap, quick solution to your problem.

Get the massive straw square bales and make a Y shape, two deep, this way they have shelter and shade.

A lot of people in Lincolnshire do this for their horses as the fields are barren.

It also means if the horses dont use them, they can easily be got rid of and you havent spent very much money.
 
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