How are your fields?

[Auslander]

Horses are still in the summer fields, which are very soggy up at the yard end.
I couldn't move them onto the winter field even if I wanted to, as my landlord annihilated the hedge, started digging out the ditch, and then left his vast yellow digger in the field. I have 100 fence posts waiting to go in, but I'm not quite sure how that's going to happen!

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I moved horses earlier in year to a new yard. The fields I have are old pasture but newly fenced for grazing so have had oodles of grass!! Still got plenty of grass but YO mentioned the fields are clay so I'm not sure how well they stand up in winter. My 2 only go out 4 hours a day in winter otherwise they run round. They are more than happy in with hay!! So at the moment fields are great!!

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Ours have been strip grazing into long old grass but last night the electric must have failed as they had broken through into the centre bit. Needs grazing off before it gets too wet as heavy clay but we don't want them on all of it yet. One is laminitic so fingers crossed the grass isn't too much for her. They were very happy.

 

[CastlelackSportHorses]

Zero grass here in Ireland but holding dry at least. This time last year we were waterlogged and everything was in. We are due a lot of rain sunday but hoping thats it for a while...I cant cope with stabling already

 

[Pinkvboots]

I've got 2 lakes in mine and it's still raining

 

[fidleyspromise]

I'm on sand but took on a new paddock on yard. It's at the bottom of a hill so not sure how it's going to fare.
I have a few posts to sort in it before 2 ponies can go in so the 3 are on 3 acres and were given a bale of hay 11 days ago that's now gone so waiting for next hay delivery.

 

[SEL]

I've got 2 lakes in mine and it's still raining

Me too and they've been doing zoomies so muddy lakes

 

[Hallo2012]

plenty of grass but its clay so its already making a schwoosh noise and is spongey under foot.

i have ordered several ton more stone to widen the tracks to the pens (anticipating being in them well before the normal jan) so they get a pen each and a loop of track to try and help with movement, boredom etc.... if this is it i am fed up already!!!

 

[Errin Paddywack]

plenty of grass but its clay so its already making a schwoosh noise and is spongey under foot.

i have ordered several ton more stone to widen the tracks to the pens (anticipating being in them well before the normal jan) so they get a pen each and a loop of track to try and help with movement, boredom etc.... if this is it i am fed up already!!!View attachment 147290

That looks like ours, similar amount of grass. Hoping to get a few more weeks out of it before they go onto the winter grazing.

 

[Birker2020]

Looks like its going to be colder than last year, be nice if it is drier though. Obviously no one can know for certain.


Winter 2024/2025 is predicted to see colder-than-average temperatures, particularly during the core winter months of December to February. The presence of a weaker-than-normal Polar Vortex could exacerbate these cold conditions. The Polar Vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding the Earth’s poles. When it weakens, cold Arctic air can spill southwards, increasing the chances of cold snaps and heavy snowfall in the UK.
Early snowfall forecasts indicate that the UK may experience above-average snowfall during the winter of 2024/2025, particularly in Scotland, northern England, and mountainous regions. La Niña winters are often associated with more significant precipitation, and when combined with colder temperatures, this increases the probability of heavier and more frequent snowfalls.

In conclusion, the winter of 2024/2025 is shaping up to be one of the most challenging in recent years for the UK. With the likelihood of colder temperatures, increased snowfall, and heightened storm activity, it’s advisable to prepare for a more severe winter season than usual. La Niña’s influence, combined with a weak Polar Vortex and shifting atmospheric patterns, suggests that the UK could experience both frequent cold spells and significant winter storms.

Read more at: https://firewoodfund.co.uk/winter-2024-predictions-uk/

 

[Lucky Snowball]

I have plenty of grass but they have been racing about leaving skid marks all over. Mud in places but nothing like as bad as the floods up country. Hope you’re all managing ok.

 

[94lunagem]

Wet!

 

[poiuytrewq]

I think my guys (and the littlest lady) have coped incredibly well with today, First night in followed by a day in as there is a shoot here today. Just waiting for the beaters and everyone to come back and get out of my way and i think im going to turn out., Its been dry for a few hours now.... Surely that will have made a difference

 

[Alibear]

Rock hard underneath with a very thin skin of slippery mud on top and no good grass. Perfect! It can't be helped as they've had all the correct maintenance, it's just the weather has been rubbish this year. I think we still need some more steady light rain to give it a chance to get deep enough to improve the soil and get things started again.

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

I moved mine off the summer grazing last week but after all this rain I’ve moved them back because I don’t want to trash the winter paddock just yet

 

[Steerpike]

I've given in and allowed mine into a strip rigueur winter field, their summer fields are so wet and were starting to get muddy and I don't want to completely trash them so they don't recover well for next year, they will now be coming in at night which is a month earlier than normal!

 

[Jacksie]

Wet and boggy already as we’re on clay and have had a lot of rain.

Although I’m glad to hear it’s not just mine who are tearing around the fields being silly and wrecking the ground. My gelding is digging massive holes all over to wallow in which doesn’t help either

 

[Borderreiver]

Ours are on a bare grass track with shelter and hard stand where hay feeders are. They have hay all year. It’s been pretty dry in Northumberland so far though I’m sure we will get our turn. OH is starting on a hard core track for their winter field tomorrow so hopefully it won’t be as plodgy as last year.