Managing small paddocks

K

kanter

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 August 2007
Messages
586
Visit site
I've just moved yards and now only have two strips for my two horses to graze, one of which is poorly drained and very wet. I'm not sure what the best way to manage them? Horses have been going out for half days till now. YO more or less has said they are your paddocks, do what you like with them. Said they will get harrowed in spring but otherwise dont think they will get much maintenance. They hadnt been poo picked properly by whoever had them last but I am doing that bit by bit, although much trampled into the ground. It is ridge an furrow, the ridges have been grazed right down, and there is long rough grass in the furrows which is almost a bit marshy. What is the best way to manage it? I am inclined to split each one in half with electric fencing and rest till summer, and trash the other half, though if they get too trashed I wont be able to turn out at all as one horse prone to mud fever. Or are they better staying in a larger area and shutting them off completely for Feb / March? I could do with turning out a bit as I dont have time to ride every day, but a couple of hours a few times a week would be ok. Also ome areas are very muddy where the horse before has run up and down the fence ine - is it worth getting some grass seed to put dwn and when should I do this?

Any ideas, and well done if you made it this far
cool.gif
 
Personally I would split and trash one part and then move them off it once grass starts to come up/drainage occurs in the rested part.

Grass DOES grow even in the worst mudbath once spring sets in and as long as you get them off the wrecked bit early enough it will recover.

As to the mud fever issue fingers crossed the bacteria arent present in your soil.

I would much rather see muddy happy horses than animals kept in 24hrs a day. Even a few hours is better than nothing at the moment.
 
I would hold off sprinkling seed just yet as the ground is just too wet and cold for germination plus you will end up feeding wildlife.

Let the grass come through on its own for a few months and then see where your bald patches are and treat them late spring or early summer when the ground is warm. I suspect you will find that even the poached bits start to sprout grass after a while, it may take a while but the roots will still be there somewhere!
 
I would split and trash. I trash a paddock every winter (this year I have trashed two due to the rubbish weather) and it always grows back, you may need to roll it flat though. Just make sure you get them off by the end of march, begining of april.
 
I would put electric fencing above the area where they pace by the fence and then split the field and alternate the horses between the two every 3-4 weeks or so, grass grows slowly even in these conditions and it will keep them more occupied in the long run. Good luck.
 
Thanks for all helpful replies, have ordered some electric fencing and will section paddocks this weekend, and turn out for a few hours in 'sacrifice paddock' unless really wet.

I havent tried the mud fever boots, to be honest he hasn't had bad mud fever for three years since I started clipping his legs out. He does however have heel extensions on his shoes so cant go out if muddy anyway as he pulls his shoes off
frown.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top