Stupidly lush grass

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zoon

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I have 3.5 acres of land that hasn't been grazed since last winter when pony was PTS. Now I want to put another pony or 2 on it.

But my grass is stupidly lush. It is about a foot long and bright green and growing very thickly. What is the best way to introduce horses on to it without a massive risk of lami?

I am going to split it up into smaller paddocks and get grazing muzzles, but what size should paddocks be (how many in 3.5 acres?) I want them to have plenty of room to move about, but then they'll also have loads of grass.

And anything else I can do?
 
ive just had this problem although i only had 1.5 acres. i seperated of a 20 by 40 area and let her eat that first while keeping her in exercise then put her in the larger area for 3 or 4 hours a day to run around and then back in the small area so she can gradually eat the grass and still had room to run around. i think you would get 3-4 horses on 3.5 acres. 3 if they are over 16hh and 4 if under
 
agree with what madeline has suggested about size of paddocks. is there any chance you can get a loan of some sheep? even just to lawnmower for you so your ponies arnt at such high risk? :)
 
if i was you i would get a crop of hay of 3 acre and leave the ponies on the 1/2acres even if you do not need the hay as some people on here say it is costing them 5-6 £ a bale you should be at a profit
as for the 1/2 acre i would run a track round (as long as they get on) so they are continually walking and eating there are post on here about the track system or pasture paridise
 
I moved paddocks this spring and had the same problem. I solved it by setting up a track system around the perimeter of the field, which I've used for many years now. You can start it off a bit at a time and gradually extend if there is loads of grass, but once it is grazed down the horses get plenty of exercise without stuffing their faces and I find it much better than sectioning off paddocks. The grass in the middle I use for additional grazing when needed and open up the whole area over the winter months which means the field doesn't get as chewed up as there is longer grass cover and I can sometimes put off feeding hay.
 
i had a similar problem so my dad topped it and that sorted it but now we have had loads of work in our paddock half of it was dug up for water pipes and now there are workmen coming in and out of the yard killing all the grass so now there is hardly any grass!!
 
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