Turnout in to ex maize field

Orchardbeck

Orchardbeck

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I'm married to a farmer who, all farmers,doesn't like to see files trashed in winter. I have a sand corral at home so my older mare can get some free time without squelching around, which is fine, but not as her sole means of exercise.

I have a 2 yo daughter who I look after all the time as said hubby works 5am -7pm in winter, later in summer so only 'riding' I get is if I put my daughter in pushchair or backpack carrier and walk alongside horse with lead rope.

Understandably, I'm worried that this management is not right for my my mare who is increasingly getting stiffer with age. I am not able to walk her like this everyday either.

After discussion with my hubby, he has suggested I put her out in to a field that has just had maize taken off for silage. It has racks and is a bit wet, but is on a slope so would help her muscles.

Would you turn out in to an ex maize field - is there any danger the maize stalks could cause her? It is a 10 acre field, and has grass in the hedgerows.

She has had laminitis in the past and was turned out in to a hilly stubble filed last winter - she looked great even though the grass came from the hedgerows. This year she is slimmer but lacks muscle tone. I can always supplement with hay.

What do you think I should do?
 
Wouldn't have thought the stalks would be too much of a problem as the horse would squash them if she stepped on them and they are spaced reasonably well. Mud may be more of an issue but I suppose if she stays on the headlands it should be ok. I would try it for a few days and see how she gets on.
 
Every Xmas ours go to a huge ex maize field just like u describe, farmer puts a hayledge bale in field but they love the space, and have a 2 wk holiday. They also graze the grass round the edges that is about ten foot wide as there is a footpath all round the field.. They gallop about when they go there and then settle down and are checked each day. Horses love it..
 
The only thing I would look out for is if there are any stray small cobs( of corn) lying on the ground as they could cause choking. I just know that when I walk my dogs through an ex maize field they often will find them and pick them up for a chew.
 
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