Shade for field

[Coffeeandcakeandchocolate]

Any idea for a way (cheap and easy if possible) to introduce shade into a field? My horse shares a field with three others and there’s very little shade. Any ideas? Thanks ?

 

[Highmileagecob]

Leftover wrapped haylage bales can be strategically placed temporarily, but they will need to be moved as they start to break down.....by which time you may have a field shelter?

 

[HashRouge]

Someone shared a link on here to shelters that look a bit like tents, but they're made from very robust material and apparently will stand up to quite severe weather. I wish I could remember what the make was! They're not super cheap, but then I'm not sure you're going to be able to get some form of shelter without spending a bit.

 

[sunnyone]

A stack of straw bales? They won't all disintegrate at the same rate, and you can move them quickly and easily if you find they aren't near where the horses choose to stand.

 

[Fred66]

Depends what you mean by cheap ?
Also whether you want permanent or temporary.

 

[ycbm]

Leftover wrapped haylage bales can be strategically placed temporarily, but they will need to be moved as they start to break down.....by which time you may have a field shelter?

They would need to be fenced off to stop them being eaten.
.

 

[dorsetladette]

large straw bales placed in an L shape or a cross so they can get round all sides depending on where the sun is coming from. Worked great for our broodmares years ago and no need for planning.

 

[Annagain]

Might be some ideas here?
100 Run-in shelters ideas | horse shelter, horse barns, horse stables (pinterest.com)

I was looking for a photo of a cantilevered patio umbrellas either cemented into the ground outside the fence line or attached very securely to the fence itself as I've seen those used (online, not in real life). There's not a photo of those here thought so maybe they didn't work!

 

[Nasicus]

A sun sail?

 

[Sprig]

Large bales of straw, if you have a friendly local farmer who can provide. I park my trailer in the field sometimes in the summer as shade, if the horses are in an open field when it is v hot.

 

[cauda equina]

In addition to some/all of the above, plant some trees if you can
Willows and poplars are about the quickest growing

 

[rabatsa]

I have one of these. https://www.robinsonpolytunnels.co.uk/sale/Field-Shelters-Standard-Range.html

I notice that they are out of stock for a month now.

 

[Coffeeandcakeandchocolate]

Thanks for all of the great ideas. I’ll discuss with the other owners ?

 

[poiuytrewq]

We recently built a super quick very basic shelter that really didn’t cost a lot at all. It’s pretty open so doesn’t protect massively from wind (purposely done so the wind gos through with less chance of it being picked up)
I’m not sure how high the straw bales ideas above would be, as in how many bales but be so so careful. They weigh a LOT, we nearly lost a good friend who randomly had one fall on him. It crushed his chest putting him in ICU for a long time. He’s paralysed, lost half a leg and spent almost a year in hospital all in all. It didn’t fall from a great height. I’d be a bit worried that horses would pick at/rub on the bottom bale which might make it all unstable?
Yes I’m probably being way way OTT but having seen it and lived through it….

 

[poiuytrewq]

So this is bit of a rubbish photo but shows it’s seriously basic.
4 posts concreted in. A wooden frame roof with tin sheets. We put wooden slats the side most of the weather comes and there is a stable wall the other. The back is open but I’ve since screwed rubber mats to kick board height which stops hay blowing out. The front stays open. OH was going to add a gate but I don’t really think it’s required.
It’s used a lot!