How to get field suitable for riding in?

[kit279]

It looks like I'm due to stay put at my current yard for the time being but it doesn't have a school and we have to ride in the fields. The fields are heavy clay which doesn't drain well and poaches easily plus they have all been grazed this year so are not really ready to ride on. However we are going to make a bit more effort this year to get them in a state suitable to ride on.

How best to do this?

We will spray weedkiller against buttercup (bane of my life) and maybe fertilise as well. I want to encourage a really established thick sward - do I need to reseed? What fertilizer would be best? I'll keep the horses off it for good this year - the field in question will only be used for riding. Should I harrow (disc or chain?) or roll the field to get it flat enough or should I have the whole thing ploughed, broken up and reseeded? Any advice welcome!

 

[1275gta]

If it is heavy clay you could go the whole hog of ploughing in rotted manure, this will help to break down clay and help with growth. Otherwise wait until it is dry in spring and get it harrowed and rolled which should help.