Two good doers and 14 acres of winter grazing?

[Bertolie]

I am on DIY livery on a farm that has diversified. The YO/farmer keeps about half a dozen fields for hay and sheep. We have individual turnout which is up to us to manage as we will. I share turnout with my daughter, so we have a 1 acre paddock that is at the end of a long grassed track and a paddock that is close to the stables which is approx three quarters of an acre. Both horses are extremely good doers. We use the larger paddock throughout the summer but the track becomes too wet and muddy to use in winter so we then have to put them in the smaller paddock. This paddock has lots of trees and natural shelter but because of this, the grass is not very long or dense. Once we move them to the winter paddock, I estimate we will have enough grass for about 3-4 weeks - it then becomes very poached and muddy.

Talking to YO yesterday, and he has offered me the use of a 14 acre field for winter However, I have a few reservations:-

1. The field is quite a distance from the stables
2. There is no mains water so will have to arrange for YO to top up trough periodically
3. Will my two good doers get fat on 14 acres of winter grazing?
4. Will we ever be able to catch them again?!
5. My daughter checks both horses in the morning on her way to work - I am a bit concerned about her having to walk through a couple of fields in the dark on her own
6. There is a bridle path that crosses the field

However, there are some advantages:-

1. NO POO-PICKING
2. It doesn't matter if the field gets trashed as it is being ploughed in the spring
3. It will save me a fortune on bedding and hay
4. They could be turned out 24/7 (unless really extreme weather)
5. There are a couple of other liveries that would be grateful to share the field over winter

So, what would you all do? Would you take him up on his very kind offer or stick to the small paddock, bring them in at night and just restrict their turnout for the winter months? I cant make up my mind!

 

[FfionWinnie]

Strip graze it

 

[mandwhy]

I would do it! Definitely!

 

[Bertolie]

Strip graze it

Dont think I have enough electric fencing to strip graze the field - plus we have to leave the bridle path clear.

I haven't checked to see how much grass is in the field, will do that later today. I think if I go for it they will just have to have the whole field and hope for the best! The sheep have been in the field until recently so hopefully there wont be loads of grass but what is there will last all winter.

I think I am going to accept his offer just for the money saving aspect alone - I was getting through a large bale of hay every week last winter at £30 per bale!

 

[TigerTail]

AWESOME

Wait until the grass has started to die off, ie is no longer glow in the dark green and is starting to bend over and look a bit brown. Then Id personally let them on to half of it, then rotate as needed with the other half. Id leave them living out

Mine are still on their track looking longingly at the green green grass in the middle which is their winter fog gage - also good doers, and once it starts to brown off a bit il let them at it.

 

[Toffee44]

Samba is muzzled most of the year on 20 acres. She comes in for dinner. As for water how about a water cart, not sure where to get them from though. Or wheel Barrow and h2o bag is what I do but I one half to walk accross , 4 acres with it .