Update on the field issue......*pics*

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MizElz

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Following my 'fecking landlords' rant.....the fence is now up and finished; there's no negotiating or going back now. We've measured it, and it's just a shade over 1/4 of an acre.....


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It isnt the end of the world; it could be worse. I am slightly peeved now that, whereas before the farmer said once fenced, it would be ours to do as we please, they're now putting another gate into it from the big field so that they can let the cows in 'to eat the grass that the horse wont.' (Read: 'whenever we feel like it.'
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Tis a nice fence though, good quality! Need to get out there with my creosote now!
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You could always put a BIG padlock on the gate and sa its for your horses safety and well being as so many are being stolen lately!!

That wa they would need to ask before they let the cows in.

A bit sneaky but hey they havent exactly been helpful.
 
Cheapskates, only putting the posts in every 12ft!
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I'd look at the gate as being a positive really. If the gate will be open for the cattle to enter into your paddock, then does that imply that Ellie will be able to go out through the gate into the big field? I know I would probably "forget" to close the gate at night time and call her in early in the mornings ......
 
I see they've fenced to keep the cows out rather than Ellie in!!

LOoks just about big enough to put your dressage markers in? Hope so!
 
LOL - OH has already tracked down a hefty chain and padlock that will be on the gate at all times! He said he wouldnt put it past them to use it as a through route for the quad bikes
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We'll have none of that, thank you!

Tia - they are *allegedly* putting in some smaller posts at the 6ft mark....I dont hold my breath though. Like your idea about 'forgetting' to shut the gate though....
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I see they've fenced to keep the cows out rather than Ellie in!!

LOoks just about big enough to put your dressage markers in? Hope so!

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Just about! It's 18 metres across so a fraction too narrow, but that wouldnt matter for schooling purposes - its wider than my friend's outdoor school! Plenty of room for some trotting poles too!
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Where is her stable in relation to the paddock? Is it up at the far end of your garden? For some reason I thought it was down this end next to your house.

Are you on the Plain? Trying to figure out where abouts you are.
 
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Where is her stable in relation to the paddock? Is it up at the far end of your garden? For some reason I thought it was down this end next to your house.

Are you on the Plain? Trying to figure out where abouts you are.

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If you see where Ellie is standing by the fence, the stable is to the left - about 10/15 metres. They originally wanted to incorporate the water trough, but we said no need as we have our own. As it has turned out, we should have done that, because we'd have been able to put a gate through to the yard. She could have had free range then!
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Ahhh hindsight....

No we're not on the Plain, though we can hear the guns often! We're about 20 miles away, between Devizes and Chippenham
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That's what I was wondering; so she can't go in and out of her stable now? She likes being in her stable and she may miss this freedom.

Ah okay. I was the other side from you, although know the Devizes area pretty well as that was where we were planning on moving to before hubby had the wonderful idea of REALLY moving.
 
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That's what I was wondering; so she can't go in and out of her stable now? She likes being in her stable and she may miss this freedom.

Ah okay. I was the other side from you, although know the Devizes area pretty well as that was where we were planning on moving to before hubby had the wonderful idea of REALLY moving.

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She wont be able to go from the field to the stable, no, but then she's never had that before, so she shouldnt miss it! It would have been nice to have been able to have that, but hey ho!

Awww Devizes is quite pretty, and probably one of the nicest yet cheapest places to live in Wiltshire! Go twenty miles north, and you pay about 25% more for the same kind of property!
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Just give a few of the top two rails a good battering and get them nice and loose for when your horse has a good gallop around, kicks them and "oh look, fence is broken and horse jumped out" ?
 
I think that looks lovely and can see why you want to stay instead of going to livery. If your horse is happy on her own, as i said in my previous post, you are very lucky to have such a wonderful set up. I don't think anything in life stays the same, if you stay on the right side of the farmer, who knows, he may eventually give you a bit more land
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I recently moved my horses from livery to rented land, luckily we have a lovely landlord, I am just waiting for the day to find a property with land of our own (when i win the lottery), in the meantime, it suits me.
 
Thank you, Hallarider
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I have to say, it does look smart, even if it is a bit small. I know we are so lucky to have what we have....that's why I tried so patiently to explain to people who thought we should move Ellie that it really would make no sense
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You cant have it all in life, not unless you want to pay the earth or make other sacrifices!

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Ach! I shouldn't worry about that - it was likely from people who aren't fortunate enough to keep their horses at home.
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Hey it's turnout, maybe not as large as you'd like, but certainly large enough for her to have a run around, so who cares; if you are happy and Ellie is happy then great.
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I'd split it in half and swap sides every week or every few days. I have four on less than an acre and a half and I manage fine. It's labour intensive, but worth the effort and although I feed all year round, I don't mind because I ahve the system that suits us all. You'll have to poo-pick at least once a day and keep the grass sweet so not a scrap becomes sour and I think you'll be fine
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I'd split it in half and swap sides every week or every few days.

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Me too Brighteyes. I meant to say that before, but became side tracked.
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LOL Tia, you made me chuckle! I am so naiive!
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Yep, I'm gonna go buy a poop scooper so that I can get out there and keep it clear. Dya know the other funny thing - whereas Elz has still been a little erratic when turned out with the electric fence, when I turned her out in her new paddock she looked around, rolled and was quiet as anything! Funny mare!
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I wouldn't worry about the cows. From my experience they won't eat anything in it because the grass won't get long enough for them to be able to eat it anyway. Cows only have teeth at the bottom and need to wrap their tongue around longer grass to rip it up.

We've put the cows on part of my field before, when it grew very long, and they didn't go a good job of eating mine down. I still had to get the topper on it.

At least if you have another gate in it you might be able to get the tractor in to roll in occasionally....if they can manoeuvre one in such a tight space for you.

Ellie seems happy enough. I'm sure it'll be fine for summer grazing this year, you're on good grass there being pasture for cows. I'd just be concerned about next year (and the years after that) if you turn out on it over winter. Not sure how well such a small area would recover from winter mud if it doesn't get the chance to be rested.
 
I agree, Patches, we're going to have to work out some kind of system whereby we can rest at least part of the field over the winter. If we can halve it, I guess it wont matter if one part is churned up - at least it gives her somewhere to stretch her legs!

And I think we have managed to commandeer the use of a little roller that will fit on the back of my brother's quad bike...now all that remains is to find a little chain harrow too!
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