How do you keep your horses over winter?

[MrsElle]

My few acres is looking bad due to the lack of rain this year and I dread to think what it is going to be like over winter.

I am seriously considering moving the ponies home to live in the garden over winter. I will have to feed hay/haylege as I would at the field but it would give the paddock a good start for next spring if it hasn't been ploughed up over winter. The garden is fairly big, has lots of shelter (several trees, hedges) and I think room enough for two mini shetlands and a 14hh pony.

I don't much care if the garden gets trashed as long as I can save the paddock.

Opinions please?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Sounds good to me, so long as there are no poisonous plants in the garden that the equines could get to. I've been wondering if ours could manage in a smaller than normal section of the winter field to allow the rest to recover this year.

 

[MrsElle]

I would probably section off a similar size section of the field this winter to keep them on so I personally think it would be ok. You just hear of people jumping on folks who keep horses in their back gardens.........

 

[Brontie]

As long as, your garden is big enough, and safe (I.e no debris, poisonous plants etc etc) then I don't see why not.

 

[joeanne]

Nick has a very very good point. Unless you can be sure that there is nothing they can hurt themselves on its not worth the risk.
And is the garden escape proof? Stig is an escapologist, and the hole doesnt even need to be Stig sized (as he is more than willing to make it as big as needed!).
Oh and are the neighbours likely to complain?

 

[Brontie]

That's another point, not only is it secure, but is it enough space to get them in and out safely. And bare in mind if there's a fire, and are you able to lock the garden to stop them being taken etc etc

 

[MrsElle]

Chain link fencing, with bramble hedging (so shitland escape proof!) and just lawn and driveway. We also have no neighbours, so no problems there

 

[MrsElle]

Nick, we have a big padlock and chain on the gate, spotlights and big barky dogs! They are more secure here than down at the field!

 

[Brontie]

Well, you seem to have the answers to all our concerns, so I say go for it. If it doesn't work you can always move them back

 

[canteron]

I would be tempted to move them to the garden now and give the field a chance to recover before winter - and then move them off the paddock again in early spring and spray, top etc then.