Shamed for Harrowing Paddock

[Ponyroc]

Hi there. I've come across a bit of a sticky situation. I have one horse with two paddocks - a 1.7 acre paddock and the other is about 1.3 acres. The 1.3 acre paddock was unfortunately ruined by a previous horse during winter. He left rather deep holes when the mud dried which makes it rather ankle-breaking until it gets damp again. So this horse is currently in the lovely large 1.7 acre paddock with thigh-high grass in it. He had eaten down about 2/3 of it.

Here's my issue. A neighbour has come forward and complained about the paddock condition. She took photos and threatened to post and shame on facebook. Although she didn't come to me about it, she furiously went off swearing at my neighbour about it thinking the paddock was hers.

The thing is, I prefer to harrow my paddocks. Not all the time. I basically wait for him to eat down 2/3 of it, then section of a 1/3 of the paddock and harrow the manure in and slowly open up the untouched fresh grass. When it gets a few weeks away from harrowing one part, I start leaving the manure out in that section so I actually have something to spread and fertilise. In the area he keeps, I pick up the manure about twice a week, three barrows full each time. It was literally the week I was going to harrow and had been two days since the last poo pick up, but this lady made it sound like I was abusing my horse, was going to turn the entire community against us (and our business which is not horse related but has to do with other domestic animals) and even went as far as to say I was the reason there were lots of flies this year (despite it being all over the county).

Apparently, a few people nearby also didn't like the look of the paddock, since it was next to the road and had no hedge so people could see right in. Is it wrong for me to leave poo in a field that people can see in to? I believe harrowing is the way to go on occasion to give the fields some natural fertiliser but it seems the community around us is against that. I do try and pick up where I'm not planning on harrowing for a while but it just feels so bad to have people think my paddock is disgusting when I've got rotational paddock management. It really just seems like the community doesn't like harrowing.

Is my plan wrong or should I just do what the community wants and keep my paddock immaculate?

 

[Goldenstar]

I would never harrow a small paddock the likelihood of increasing the worn burden is too high .
I don’t poo pick but I have 15 acres for four horses so I can rest paddock for long periods and keep the horses on larger spaces .
If I had a set up like yours I would poo pick every day .
I can’t judge what your paddock looks like because I have not seen it .

 

[rabatsa]

Your field to manage how you want.

Unless you think more of what the unkowledgeable think about you and your management?

 

[Kaylum]

Do they have horses?

The thing is with the community i.e. neighbours sometimes you can fall out with them but sometimes you find you actually need them and this can often be in an emergency situation. I would talk to them about things.

 

[ihatework]

Tricky one.
Ultimately it’s your land and you should be able to manage it how you wish without being bullied.
In all honesty, on a small acreage/pony paddock set up like you have I can imagine how ugly it gets without poo picking, and despite hating the chore myself, if I have ever had small paddocks then they get poo picked.

I much prefer larger acreage with harrowing mind.

I’d be inclined to speak to the neighbour first. Say what you have said on here.

 

[Ponyroc]

Tricky one.
Ultimately it’s your land and you should be able to manage it how you wish without being bullied.
In all honesty, on a small acreage/pony paddock set up like you have I can imagine how ugly it gets without poo picking, and despite hating the chore myself, if I have ever had small paddocks then they get poo picked.

I much prefer larger acreage with harrowing mind.

I’d be inclined to speak to the neighbour first. Say what you have said on here.

It seems they don't want to talk to me. At least, not decently, seeing as they went up to someone and starting screaming and swearing about the paddock.
It is a bit tricky keeping the paddock tidy. In all honesty, it's my real first 'own' horse and I've only had him since November. I've made sure to keep up with his worming and as I mentioned, I do really try and stay on top of the rest of his paddock and literally do around 5 or 6 barrows a week. The ground around here is very clay-like and has previously been very overgrazed. I've only harrowed once before in December and it's just a little one with spikes to really try and break up the soil a bit, not that it works too well on the clay.

In retrospect, I do now understand harrowing and rotating small land is difficult but I had hoped not impossible.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

If I were your neighbour, I would be more concerned about the fact that your horse is on its own than the state of your paddocks but it is entirely up to you whether you take any notice of your neighbours.

 

[Ponyroc]

If I were your neighbour, I would be more concerned about the fact that your horse is on its own than the state of your paddocks but it is entirely up to you whether you take any notice of your neighbours.

I've been looking at getting him a paddock mate but he's actually content on his own. He watches the sheep across the road, loves the dogs, loves people and has a pony across a driveway in a field he could look at (not ours or owned by the angry neighbour). Was never fussed when the pony was moved or came back again. We were worried that he would stress about not having a mate, but he's actually calm about it. We are looking to get some sheep for him though since he seems to love them more than the pony.

 

[Michen]

If you are doing 5/6 barrows a week I cannot imagine it looks that bad? For one horse that should be clearing most of his poo?

 

[Ponyroc]

If you are doing 5/6 barrows a week I cannot imagine it looks that bad? For one horse that should be clearing most of his poo?

That's what I thought as well, but obviously, people disagree. I don't do it every day, but I hammer around the field for about 30min doing roughly 3 barrows about twice a week. I had left that certain area with its poo so I could harrow it, but the rest of his paddock I cleaned. The birds also did help by picking apart his poo in the sun, well, whether that was a help or hindrance since it makes it harder to pick up in dried flakes.
I just didn't think I was doing a bad job but apparently, people think having more than a days worth of poo in your paddock is disgusting. I dunno. Just torn.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I've been looking at getting him a paddock mate but he's actually content on his own. He watches the sheep across the road, loves the dogs, loves people and has a pony across a driveway in a field he could look at (not ours or owned by the angry neighbour). Was never fussed when the pony was moved or came back again. We were worried that he would stress about not having a mate, but he's actually calm about it. We are looking to get some sheep for him though since he seems to love them more than the pony.

Lots of horses appear to be content on their own until they get a companion, when they become distressed if the companion is moved away. A pony across the drive is not a companion. Be careful about putting sheep in his field, some horses are so interested in sheep that they will attack and even kill them.

 

[windand rain]

To be honest in a small area poo picking is a daily chore as harrowing too often creates a lot of problems the harrowed field needs at least 6 months rest possibly more to reduce the risk of grass sickness and the grass becoming horse sick. Although it is up to you a small field is badly damaged by leaving poo on it as they dont graze where they toilet

 

[Ponyroc]

Lots of horses appear to be content on their own until they get a companion, when they become distressed if the companion is moved away. A pony across the drive is not a companion. Be careful about putting sheep in his field, some horses are so interested in sheep that they will attack and even kill them.

Yeah, I've heard that too. I'm always looking out on the market for a paddock mate but they actually seem harder to find than riding horses. He came from a home with two mares who used to bite and kick him. He had a lot of marks that have now all healed up. Whether or not that's a reason he doesn't seem to mind being on his own now or not, I am always keeping an eye out for a paddock mate.

 

[Reacher]

Unless the pony is standing knee deep in shite (which from your OP it isn’t) I can’t see it’s anybody else business.
A lot of my paddock is trashed - but horses aren’t standing out in it 24/7 - and in the spring with a bit of tlc it will recover fine.
Nosey neighbours should mind their own business.
Maybe you need to make a pre-emptive strike and put a photo on Facebook pointing out the pony’s needs are being met (does it have shelter?) and an explanation about land management before they do?

 

[Annagain]

Yeah, I've heard that too. I'm always looking out on the market for a paddock mate but they actually seem harder to find than riding horses. He came from a home with two mares who used to bite and kick him. He had a lot of marks that have now all healed up. Whether or not that's a reason he doesn't seem to mind being on his own now or not, I am always keeping an eye out for a paddock mate.

You could try a rescue charity - the Blue Cross and Redwings always have companion ponies wanting homes and you'd be helping two ponies as it would give them space to take another one on.
https://www.redwings.org.uk/get-involved/rehoming/rehome-a-rescued-horse
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/rehome...MIwfeq8eeO7wIVGJftCh29LwI5EAAYASAAEgIpvvD_BwE

 

[Ponyroc]

You could try a rescue charity - the Blue Cross and Redwings always have companion ponies wanting homes and you'd be helping two ponies as it would give them space to take another one on.
https://www.redwings.org.uk/get-involved/rehoming/rehome-a-rescued-horse
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/rehome...MIwfeq8eeO7wIVGJftCh29LwI5EAAYASAAEgIpvvD_BwE

I really love that idea, but funnily enough, I'm not in the UK. This was just the best horse forum I could find. I'm all the way in New Zealand. I'm always keeping an eye out on the rescue organisations, and have previously volunteered for the SPCA, but horses come up very rarely. The one currently available in the closest shelter can't handle any dust because of lung problems. The road out front is gravel and cars shoot down it like nothing else, the dust flies into a massive cloud so not the right home for the sweet darling.

 

[Annagain]

I really love that idea, but funnily enough, I'm not in the UK. This was just the best horse forum I could find. I'm all the way in New Zealand. I'm always keeping an eye out on the rescue organisations, and have previously volunteered for the SPCA, but horses come up very rarely. The one currently available in the closest shelter can't handle any dust because of lung problems. The road out front is gravel and cars shoot down it like nothing else, the dust flies into a massive cloud so not the right home for the sweet darling.

Could you offer free/reduced price grazing to someone in return for companionship for your horse?

 

[Ponyroc]

Could you offer free/reduced price grazing to someone in return for companionship for your horse?

Probably not. We're surrounded by rural properties that also do leasing, except, they have arenas and much more land. I'd considered it but unfortunately, it's very unlikely.

 

[dorsetladette]

If there your fields you can keep them entirely as you wish.

I have 5 acres of very sandy and previously over grazed ground. split into 3 paddocks and rotated. After talking to an old farm about land management and muck spreading. He told me to leave the muck on the field over winter and as soon as the field is dry enough harrow it into the ground. This is what we have done this weekend. We haven't poo picked apart from round the gate, hay feeder and shelter since september. It has at times made me twitchy but we have followed the advise given. My field has a main A road along one side and houses along the other.

My worm counts are all under 100 and have been for the last few years. We just worm for tape etc in the autumn.

I'd be interested to know if there is any confirmed link between harrowing and grass sickness as a lot of people mention this but I have not been able to find anything concrete online.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would tell them to mind there own business they are your fields to with what you wish.

 

[honetpot]

I have never poo picked in winter, ever. I have a thrash area, which they go out in, it may change every year. About this time, depending on the weather they are moved to a fresh area, for spring. Thrash area is harrowed, fertilised and bare areas reseeded, and rested. I have never had a high worm count. Yes it looks a mess, but by May it will recover. The neighbour, I would just block her posts, and ignore her.

 

[Widgeon]

I would probably have a pre-emptive friendly word with all your other neighbours (not the screaming sweary one) and explain to them that you're aware of X's feelings about your land management but this is how you like to do it, apologies if it looks messy sometimes, but you find that this works well. Obviously you shouldn't have to do this but you'll probably feel better if you know that all your other neighbours are unbothered. I can't imagine that they are all screaming mad about the poo in your paddock!

 

[windand rain]

link for grass sickness to harrowing but there are numerous others
https://grasssickness.org.uk/advice...-which-may-reduce-the-risk-of-grass-sickness/

 

[Leandy]

Ignore the shouty disapproving neighbour, this is absolutely none of their business. What you are doing sounds absolutely fine and sensible.

 

[mustardsmum]

Another winter non poo picker, and, shock horror - I even pick it up and spread it around the fields that will be rested until late summer. Fields are harrowed as soon as the ground is suitably dry - and in nearly thirty years of spreading poo, harrowing and having ponies - we've never had a single case of grass sickness and worm counts are always really low. Personally I would ignore the neighbour and just enjoy your horse. Its really non of their business what you do with your field and you should absolutely should not need to explain to anyone what you are doing. You are happy with your system and and it works for you. Its a field, in winter they get muddy, mud is a part of the winter environment of the countryside! I have seven acres and currently only two ponies on them and still end up with one field trashed after the winter - its inevitable. By April, after harrowing and rolling - they green up and look lovely.

 

[hock]

Your neighbours sound completely bonkers! I suspect no matter what you do they will need to find a reason to kick off. It’s hard when you get your first horse as you question everything. I’ve just finished harrowing 2 of my clay paddocks. It’s the only way to break the ruts up to even it back up. Your regime sounds good too me - I do a combo of poo picking and harrowing and this year I will be rotting my muck heap down and chucking that back in the fields too. (I also keep the seedy bits from the bay I feed and Chuck that on the field). Horses take so much from the paddocks that you have to put it back. Don’t engage and stay polite but carry on.

 

[tallyho!]

Agree with Hock ^^. Poor you, not a very nice situation. I'd be mortified. We leave poo in the small paddocks after they've eaten down and about to move for harrowing and poo-pick in between - good for soil and birds... your neighbours sound like busybodies. Let them post to Facebook if that's where they get their kicks.

On the subject of companions... if you think your horse is happy alone, and you know he is bottom of the pecking order otherwise, don't get a companion. A mistake I saw someone make a long time ago... some horses prefer not to be bitten and kicked all the time. What happened was they ended up with two horses they had to keep separate.

 

[rextherobber]

If you are on Facebook, there is an excellent Land management for horse owners group

 

[SantaVera]

I have a similar set up one paddock is approx 1 acre the other 1 acre is split into 2 so 2 half acre paddocks. we ALWAYS harrow have done so for more than 40 years. i do poo pick the half acre near the house but not the rest. horses are fine. tell the neighbour where she /he can stick the complaint, they are utter idiots. harrowing is part of land management .horse fields are not bowling greens or lawns. tell them to get a life . ( personally i'd use a lot of strong language at them including mind your own fing business ). dont worry about facebook if theres any problems send a solicitors letter about taking them to court for libel . tell her that you will the blo$% moron !

 

[SantaVera]

I would tell them to mind there own business they are your fields to with what you wish.

so would I but i wouldnt be polite about it. the neibour sounds a right nut case. BTW WELCOME to the forum Ponyroc x