Help; field!

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ABC

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I've now cut back from 4 horses to 1 and am hoping to get a loan pony etc...

I am hoping to rent a 3 acre field and another 1 acre field. The one acre field can only be used in summer, and only during the day. :)

The grass is really good quality in both fields, and grows back really fast,even though I would partition the field into seperate areas. (using electric fencing)

The field currently has no fence boundary, so I am planning to use stock proof fencing (with smaller squares, so hooves can't get stuck) and a line of taut wire on top, along with wooden posts.

I am also acquiring a mobile field shelter which is about 30ft x 12ft. This can be seperated into a 12ft x 12ft stable, a 10ft x 12 ft stable and an 8ft x 12ft storage area.

In reality I would probably arrange it so that the two stables were combined, and the gates removed so it was a 22ft x 12ft field shelter, which imo gives the horses enough room and also allows me to have a storage area.

I am also planning on having a small shed nearby so I can store some more stuff, and also store feed and shavings for winter (just in case I keep them in; which I doubt)

For water supplies I am planning on putting guttering onto the field shelter and shed, which leads to the IBC 1000 litre water tanks, and in winter, if these freeze I will transport water from home.

The only other thing I can think of is a supply of hay/haylage but I think I can buy the smaller bales in bulk, or preferably buy the larger bales.

Sooo... a few questions.

1 - How long does a large bale of hay/haylage last you, and for how many horses?

2 - Does my water arrangement seem okay? I cant find another arrangement that will be suitable, but maybe someone else can? :confused:

3 - Does the field shelter sound big enough, or should I open up the storage area?

4 - Am I missing out on anything important?

5 - Does the fencing arrangement sound okay? I know in an ideal world post and rail fencing is ideal but its too expensive to put up in a field I'm only renting.

Any tips/advice/opinions greatly recieved. :D

I've not even said I'll take the field yet because I don't want to give up my place on the livery yard just incase! :p

Its a bit overgrown in one particular area, but I think it would only take a couple of days to get in horse-friendly condition.

What do you think, should I take the plunge and rent the field? (My horse is (hopefully) going to be reschooled for 8 weeks anyway, so I'll have two months to get it all sorted)

Thanks for reading, cup of hot chocolate on your way :D
 
I love having my own field, you can come and go when you want without feeling 'watched'...I also compete most weekends and have no field shelter ( good hedges ) and have to ship my own water from home - would not swap it for the world!!

Its not just a financial bonus ( although more money to spend on treats) but my horses are far happier, you never see them walking fence lines and even in the worst weather they are stood in the middle of the field.

You have got nothing to lose.................and I am sure you will soon adapt.
 
this sounds much like the set up i have, and its brill, as others have said you can come and go as you like and not feel watched. The only thing i would think about is the drainage around the shelter, mine turned into a mud bath last winter, so i am now investing in solid rubber matting to put outside the shelter entrance, the rubber mats with the holes in simply wasnt strong enough.
but yeah go for it :) you'l never look back

hay wise.. my one tbx went through a round bale in about 3 weeks and she had ad lib, when there was no grass and 3ft of snow lol
 
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I'd partition off your fields from the spring and cut the rest with your summer paddock for hay. I'm assuming you'll have 2 horses - one loan and one for company, so I'd partition off probably 2 of your 3 acres in the spring, fertilise and spray off the weeds and then cut those 2 and your summer paddock which should give you enough hay for the winter - store on pallets in your field shelter if you can, if not under tarpaulins or the farmer who cuts may be able to store for you. Should be self sufficient for 2 IMO. We've a good do-er 14h native and a poor do-er 13.2 - so 2 ponies on approx 2 acres, one of which is wooded so not masses of grass but does have grass in a drought, the other is well drained so not such good growth. We also have another acre from which we cut 45-80 small bales of hay and then gets used for some grazing until late autumn then is left till after the hay is cut next summer (we fertilise, and spray off the weeds). We buy in 100 or so bales of hay too (usually use 120-140 bales), and have to feed hay quite a bit over winter, but this time of year 10 bales lasts a good 2-3 months - also bearing in mind we hang a haynet in the trailer which goes out 4-5 x a week to pony club etc - the piggy good do-er can eat a whole small hole haynet in 50 mins which is our total travelling time (he paws the floor if no hay!)

I think our field shelter, which is open for most of the front with just 1 big gate is 12 x 16 or 20 - is absolutely fine for the ponies, they only use it in summer, in the height of winter snows and wind they prefer the shelter of the hedges tail to the wind!

You may need more water than you collect in summer and vice versa in winter, but should be fine if you can bring from home - invest in/collect up suitable containers now that you can carry might help. Fencing sounds fine too.
The only other thing is lighting, rechargable is rubbish, we have one on top of our shed and you cannot see in the feed bags but a few old car batteries should power a couple of 12v lights for the winter - take them home and recharge regularly - and invest in a few head torches, they are often cheap in places like Robert Dyas.
Hope that helps. :)
 
Ah thanks guys, its really appreciated :)

Dubsie - Thanks! Have made notes about hay-making because I'll definately need help for that! Didn't even think about lighting :o but will definatley add that onto my list, and get ebay-ing :D And it definatley did help! :p

Going to try and visit land owner tomorow :D
 
Dubsie - I might be being thick (extremely likely) but how do the car batteries power lights? :confused:

Thanks Lauren M, :D
 
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