Is natural shade/shelter enough?

J

Jules_F

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Hi everyone.

We have just bought a six acre smallholding. We are over the moon to be here and we want to move our horses out of livery asap.

What I am wondering is, if we can make the smallest field which is nearest to the house safe and secure is it ok if they don't have access to a field shelter until around the middle of September? Giving us time to secure the bigger field next door where we intend to put the shelter? (Oh and build the shelter!)

The field has natural shade/shelter in the form of trees/hedges. There will of course be a clean water source.
The horses are a section b pony and a cob type.

Also, if anyone has any tips for a person setting up at home for the first time please do share :)

Thank you!!
 
Only one of my fields has access for the horses to get into the barns - the others all have good hedging and a couple have trees. They cope fine with these. If they are in the field with the barn access they only really seem to go into it when it is hot or the flies are bad - they rarely seem to use it in wet weather.
 
Yes! I have never had a field shelter until our recent move.

Congratulations on the move, you will love having your ponies/horses at home :)
 
my mare lived out for 10 years without a field shelter! just make sure you have good rugs, and at least 2 of each weight, so you can swap them over if they get wet through
 
Ive only got hedges in the field. They can come through the gate and walk to the stables which has a sheltered shower room, but they rarely do unless it is REALLY bad.
 
Yep, I have a TB that lives out with only natural shelter, natives should be fine.

When I did have use of paddocks with field shelters, the only time they went in them was when I put hay inside.
 
Thanks everyone! We are so excited. We are hoping to finish fencing the first field this weekend, which means ponies at home really soon! :)
 
My field only has natural shelter, a hedge down one side, big enough to stand underneath and a huge tree at one end. If its really hot or very wet all the piles of poo are under the tree so I know where he likes to stand. Being a native I think the hedges are really important too, he loves to forage in them and often disappears right into it, all you can see is his bum sticking out :) I wouldnt be too worried about there not being a field shelter, as you have native types Im sure they'll prefer the hedges.
 
I have a lovely, flash, very expensive field shelter in with my two boys. Do they EVER stand in it? Nope. Rain, hail or shine they are out in the elements. Go for it!
 
DonskiWA said:
I have a lovely, flash, very expensive field shelter in with my two boys. Do they EVER stand in it? Nope. Rain, hail or shine they are out in the elements. Go for it!
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This post has really cheered me up! I moved my horses home (field opposite the front door absolute bliss!) but worry about having no field shelter. We have two minis who are penned at night (lammy) and very large shed/stable for winter for them on the drive, but my big chap and daughters pony only have hedges and tree's...my chap LOVES a stable so just worried he will find it hard this winter, but I will never know if I don't try!!
 
We had one built. My friend and I used it for sitting around drinking coffee and eating buns and doughnuts, as the horses never set a foot inside. When it blew down in a gale and had to be demolished, guess who was more disappointed?
 
Yes, absolutely. It's all our old boy has had summer/winter for the last twelve years, and he does not appear to be unhappy or have suffered. Actually, as he has sweet itch and RAO it has been the best thing for him
 
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