Fools Motto
Well-Known Member
One of our paddocks hasn't been grazed in a year due to getting the fencing all new and done. Due to the weather, this hasn't happened 'yet' and it was going to be last years hay field too, but it got too spoiled for that!
So, although the fencing people are due shortly - famous last words! we put up some electric tape... long job as it is a big field. While we (others, not me - I was doing another job!) were finishing it off, we turned out two polo ponies for a few hours of good grass.
This field is on a slight slope with a flat bit at the top, and in the middle of this flat bit is, can only be described as a 'damp patch'. only about 10ft sq, but the grass is slightly 'marsh reed like' around it. The rest of the field is dry, and has good grass cover.
So, mare1 - being nosey and all, and in need of a good 'wet roll' (she is really a Hippo X) walks straight into this patch, and totally disappears! Thank the lord that the others were there, and saw... only her head sticking out, mild panic set in, poor thing! Apparently she thrashed a bit, made a right mess of everyone but did get out mainly on her own but did have the others pulling. None of us had any idea how 'deep' this area was, and in the past mares and foals have been out there, with no dramas. So much wet weather over the last year has seemingly opened this area up. Close call I say!
Now, when the fencing people do this field, we are also asking them to fence this 'pond/sunken well' off aswell. I said I recommend 4 horizontal fence rails, but they say 3 is adequate. I can't help but have a gut feeling that if any future foals out there see the 'lush green grass' and try to get it, 4 rails would stop them, 3 may not. I'm right, aren't I?
So, although the fencing people are due shortly - famous last words! we put up some electric tape... long job as it is a big field. While we (others, not me - I was doing another job!) were finishing it off, we turned out two polo ponies for a few hours of good grass.
This field is on a slight slope with a flat bit at the top, and in the middle of this flat bit is, can only be described as a 'damp patch'. only about 10ft sq, but the grass is slightly 'marsh reed like' around it. The rest of the field is dry, and has good grass cover.
So, mare1 - being nosey and all, and in need of a good 'wet roll' (she is really a Hippo X) walks straight into this patch, and totally disappears! Thank the lord that the others were there, and saw... only her head sticking out, mild panic set in, poor thing! Apparently she thrashed a bit, made a right mess of everyone but did get out mainly on her own but did have the others pulling. None of us had any idea how 'deep' this area was, and in the past mares and foals have been out there, with no dramas. So much wet weather over the last year has seemingly opened this area up. Close call I say!
Now, when the fencing people do this field, we are also asking them to fence this 'pond/sunken well' off aswell. I said I recommend 4 horizontal fence rails, but they say 3 is adequate. I can't help but have a gut feeling that if any future foals out there see the 'lush green grass' and try to get it, 4 rails would stop them, 3 may not. I'm right, aren't I?
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