Resting fields?

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Resting fields
How important is it to rest all fields? Does anyone get away with not resting and still have ok grass?

We have 4 acres spilt into 4 fields. 3 of the fields are next to a road - the 4th is as the bottom away from the road and lane and is where the water / field shelters are. I'm currently using this as a 'night' paddock (they live out) for 2 ponies and 1 horse - then we have the other 3 rotated for day time grazing.

I'd like to just keep using the bottom field as their night time bit as I like them away from the road - just unsure how long the paddock will hold up if we do that. I do have a way to rotate between that
field and one of the others which has a thick hedge at the top
border so is ok for them to use at night - but I would prefer them in the bottom bit.
 
Spring time, your'e better off having them in a larger section overnight when the sugars are lower. I use electric fencing only so much more flexible. I would have them in the lower paddock all the time this time of year and section that off to strip graze. The other three acres can then rest for winter. One acre is plenty for two ponies and one horse this time of year. ( Unless it is bare )

I have two ponies on half an acre now ( have done it gradually ), it has been rested since October and is lush! I run a track system around it and strip graze, It will last until Ocober, then they are gradually introduced to the winter field which is about 4.5 acres.
 
we also have 5 acres split into 4 paddocks


we rest 2 and use 2.


It is important to rest them as it shows with ours with 8 horses out there and too much grass.



weed kill fertilize harrow and poo pick are also very important.


As they are out all the time this bottom field really does need 2 months off twice a year at least .


it will get horse sick otherwise. up to you but I would not poach one field all the time. Unless it was a restricked grazing paddock and horses wear muzzles all the time like my front one .
Also depends on the drainage

we do 3 months on 3 months off depends how they fair , shorter to two months if they need it.

look after your fields and they will look after your horses
feed the grass the grass will feed the horses. THats what our field guy says
 
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I have 6 acres in 4 roughly equal sized fields. They weren't grazed or topped at all last year and when I moved in my horses (2 horses, 1 pony) in Feb 24/7 I was advised to open all fields to allow them to graze the standing hay before starting a proper management program starting with harrowing in April and topping in May.
At what stage would you start resting fields? I was thinking of rotating once they've been topped. I was on a yard that rotated every 6 weeks so one is used and three are rested or should I use two during summer and save two for winter. As the OP I have field shelters in one of the fields and have so far kept this open every night so they have access to shelter if needed.
 
personally i would use 2 and rest two and the rested ones i would give longer than 6 weeks i would try two months on two months off and see how they fare.

It will need that time to recover specially in the winter.


I would top it to get rid of the long rubish bits.

Get someone up to weed kill harrow fertilize etc
 
Leviathan, Thanks for your advice. Im planning to harrow, roll, top, weedkill and lime but not fertilise this year as I've got too much grass atm. I aim to fertilise next year if needed. I also have access to my neighbour's field whilst I top and spray mine.
I'm still leaving all 4 open so they can graze off as much as possible before I harrow and start tidying up. It's amazing what a mess it looks after being left for just one year. Hoping it won't take too long to recover.
How many horses do you have on your 5 acres? Are they out 24/7? I'm trying to work out if I can manage 4 out 24/7 on 5 acres as I will probably lose almost an acre to a new arena, small yard and additional field shelter.

OP your situation sounds similar to mine. My field shelter and water are in the field farthest from the roads. Ideally I'd like to do as you suggested and have this as a night field but they use the shelter during the day when it's warm so I think I'm going to have to move it into whichever field I am using and allow access to it day and night. Our fencing has a few posts which aren't cemented in and there are a few rails screwed in not nailed to make it easier to move the shelter from one field to another. I need to get water to all fields rather than just by hose (currently using 5 hoses).
 
You will be amazed at how quickly and well your fields will recover. I am coming up to being in my place for a year. It was a dreadful mess this time last year, and with a supportive landlord, the help and advice of some very good friends, neighbours and farmers, plus me not over stocking the fields, the difference is incredible. The better it looks the more helpful advice I am offered - it seems everyone is delighted to see the land being managed and cared for. To the extent that last night I was given some harrows of my own (which they delivered) to tow behind the Landrover. I am very lucky :)
 
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