Help! field management and fat ponies !!

[khadijah]

Hi all, Im new to the forum have been dying to ask advice but just was sooo busy with my new baby (pony)

Iv just had my welsh sec b for about 5 weeks

I couldnt get a space on my chosen yard but was really chuffed when found a space on a farm i never imagined wud have spaces as they havent had spaces for years !

I couldnt wish for a nicer yard BUT to my horror the paddocks are sooo lush its ridiculous, it is dairy pasture and a few are muzzled and dangerously overweigh
k my problem is that my pony was already overweight as she hadnt been in work for a long time

Im not too keen to try muzzling yet that would be a last resort

I think i could stable her for a long period in the day
but what i really wanted to ask you guys is about the grass situation because ive never kept a horse on lush pasture so ive never been in this predicament.

Im a bit curious why they havent done strip grazing or even mowing --- if thats even poss ????

ive not a clue but i wud have thought that the answer wud be firstly a flock of sheep lol ! and some better grass management ?

I think a few of us wud happilly chip in for this i wudnt expect the farmer to pay for it


but guys whats my options so i can present an idea to her in a nice way thats not offensive ?



lastly, i really do not want to move because the farmer lives on site and the animals are very secure and in the best poss hands

let me know what you suggest
cheers


also the pony will be walked a few times a week by my friend and ridden a few times a week at least so im hoping the exersize will help ???

 

[TigerTail]

Well longer grass is better than short v stressed grass as lower in sugar, however if its all rye grass (cow) youve got no diversity. Id be asking if you could do a track system, which would allow the middle to be grown for hay - so making best use of the land. The track system encourages movement which is good for the diet and for their hoof health.

Mine is about 12 ft wide and went around 8 acres

Muzzling shouldnt be the last resort, if you horse is overweight already id have one on like a shot to prevent his pedal bones rotating and coming through the sole of his hoof.

You could get a copy of paddock paradise for the farmer and ask if he'd have a look at it?

 

[wellsat]

I would certainly ask the farmer if he will top (mow) the fields. If they don't have horses themselves it may be that they think you want lots of grass.

I would put a grazing muzzle on straight away while you explore other alternatives. There is a huge amount of laminitis out there at the moment.

 

[shadeofshyness]

I don't think there would be anything wrong with using a muzzle until a more suitable solution such as the track system or mowing. Better safe than sorry - in fact I bet your pony would prefer to be out and about with a muzzle on than stuck indoors for longer hours (especially while we're having some rare nice weather!)

However I would approach the conversation about changing the pasture very carefully - start off by saying how friendly, welcoming and well-run the yard is and how you're really settling in well. Then approach the topic in a non-confrontational way - 'It would be even better for my pony if the grass wasn't so lush because...etc... perhaps we could try a/b/c to solve this - happy to help out with any work that needs doing to get it started...'. If they're not horsy, it may well be they just didn't know lush grass could be harmful and will be keen to rectify the situation

If you decide on sheep, it'd be worth Googling to see if any RSPCA/other rescues have any that need rehoming.

Good luck!

 

[khadijah]

Guys thanks soo much for the advice

I feel a lot better about trying the muzzle now


I love the track idea, I think this would be ideal !

Ill wait for the right opportunity to mention it

Thanks so much guys

 

[amandaco2]

Can't you strip graze or get the field topped.
Unless the grazing is safe id move....grazing is what my lot spend the majority of their time doing so over lush grass or unsafe fences or ragwort is a deal breaker imho.