Harrowing fields- and a winter grazing question!

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SammyDingle

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Morning all

I have just under 7 acres split into 2 fields, 2 horses in each one (they cannot go out as a group!) I cannot poo pick such a large area, tried and failed miserably. Cant strip graze as horses have no respect what so ever and just tear fencing down.

I would prefer a quad and harrow so I could do it myself but funds wont allow this so I am paying a local farmer to come in. How often should this be done ideally?

Also, I will be moving 2 of the horses off over the winter so I can rest one of the fields. Grazing is still in good condition as only 2 horses on there but grass needs to grow. How long would you say to rest the land for?
 
Split your seven acres into four or five fields. Rotate your grazing, use two fields in summer, let them rest over winter when you move onto your winter fields which will have grown into foggage saving you a fortune on winter hay. Then move back to summer rested fields after winter. During summer your winter fields will be resting and growing for your winter foggage. If you split into five you can also have a winter sacrifice paddock for when it's really wet. That entire arrngement will make it possible to poo pick.

Try not to look for excuses for why you can't do that but ways in which you can make that work.
 
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This is exactly how I wanted to do it but unfortunately the land is rented and I cannot put permanent fencing in, only electric which one of them goes through.

I cannot risk my mare getting in with one of my others :(
 
Do you use tape or rope with the electric? I find that rope carries the charge better and doesn't break as easily as tape. Some will just break through tape regardless, because they know that they can, and they will only get a shock for a very small time.
Are you sure you are setting it up correctly so that it gives a decent "whack"? You need to make sure you using as short a length as possible (ie only powering the lengths that you need, not the entire field). Make sure it isn't shorting out anywhere. Make sure that you test the strength at several points along the fencing to make sure its strong all the way around.
Make sure that you are using the highest setting and at a shorter tick (you'd tend to use a slower tick for cattle).
Make sure that you are earthing it properly. you want to get the earthing stake at least a foot into the ground. Wetting the ground around it too also helps.
Are they rugged or do they have thick coats? if the wear rugs then you may want to line them with electric tape, so that they feel the shock.
 
The biggest advantage of picking up poos daily is that you break up the worm cycle and prevent your horses picking up worms.
You can get decent heavy duty electric fence tape (designed for permanent fencing) which in conjunction with solid wooden posts you horses can not break through.
Harrowing fields will only spread the worms around the field.
 
I have 2 horses on 5 acres split into 3 paddocks I dont poo pick its too steep and there are other things to do rather than spend my life pushing a barrow round the fields. We rotate the grazing but one piece is in more or less constant use. The horses have negative or low worm counts usually. We harrow once or twice a year. always in the spring and if possible when the used paddock is being rested.
 
honestly to harrow and rest you need to give it four to six months (to break the egg cycle and let grass recover)

if you really can't split the fields up I'm not sure I'd spread the poo over all the grass - maybe leave it completely and see if it's big enough for proper latrine areas to develop. Not great for the long run of the field but can't see how you can manage when both fields are needed virtually all the time !
 
SammyDingle said:
This is exactly how I wanted to do it but unfortunately the land is rented and I cannot put permanent fencing in, only electric which one of them goes through.

I cannot risk my mare getting in with one of my others :(
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So if two horses are in one field and two in the other and you cant risk your mare getting in with the others - just divide each of the two paddocks into two? Each paddock will be just under two acres I presume then? Your mare if she gets through the elctric will only be getting through to an empty paddock that you are resting then. so you have two winter paddocks (1 for ach small roup of two) and 2 summer paddocks. If they are living out all year, then I would recommend poo picking - after all, if they are in a stable you wouldn't leave it un-mucked out? I have four horses who live out and it takes 20-30 minutes every morning to poopick as oppose to 15-20 minutes mucking out 1 stable. Not only does this keep the worm burden down, but it prevents the paddock becoming horse sick and provides better grazing all year round. While each paddock is resting harrow it to aerate it and encourage new grass growth. I have just come off my summer paddock and will put them back on beginning April as I dont want the grass to grow too long in summer paddocks.
 
SammyDingle said:
Morning all

I have just under 7 acres split into 2 fields, 2 horses in each one (they cannot go out as a group!) I cannot poo pick such a large area, tried and failed miserably. Cant strip graze as horses have no respect what so ever and just tear fencing down.

I would prefer a quad and harrow so I could do it myself but funds wont allow this so I am paying a local farmer to come in. How often should this be done ideally?

Also, I will be moving 2 of the horses off over the winter so I can rest one of the fields. Grazing is still in good condition as only 2 horses on there but grass needs to grow. How long would you say to rest the land for?
Click to expand...

Why cant you poo pick???? We have 8 acres in all divided into 4 paddocks and use two and rest two - 3 months on 3 months off. It copes brilliantly despite having 9 horses on 4 acres. It is fertilised - poo picked - weed killed - harrowed. Very few weeds. Plenty of grass in the fields they are in and the resting fields is just below knee hight. We wont use grass liveries so grassed 7am - 3/4 pm

I dee poo 4 acres every day clearing after 7 horses (we have two spaces for livery available) but normally I clear up after 9 . No big issue and keeps me fit,with wheel barrow or tractor and trailer, while the other two resting so have 7 horses out on one pair. We harrow in the spring that is all - I never have all my grazing used at once and when livery horse wont mix and is aggressive they have no option. I won't jepodise the grazing by using all of it at any one time.
 
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