Update - using a herras fence for rehab

[Birker2020]

Just to give you a quick update. My friend whose mare has a ddft injury was given some positive news on the check up of her horse yesterday morning. She can start riding her in walk for six weeks followed by 3 weeks of bringing trot into the walking rehab after which she will be reassessed by the vet again. She was sound on the surface, although it wasn't possible to do to much trot up on the concrete as she was a fit silly and needed sedating and it was still a bit icy!

E is doing really well behind the herras fencing, we managed to move it across her paddock again last Saturday, with three of us helping, albeit it was fiddly as we had to remove every other clip as the bottom of the fencing doesn't go into the feet very well unless the clip is undone. So it will be 2 weeks tomorrow since she first went in there.She has a little trot in there but nothing spectacular and spends most of her time talking to the horse over the fence to the other horse opposite as we used 4 panels of the post and rail with the herras fencing coming off it in a 50p coin type arrangement to make it more stable. And of course it makes it a bigger area for her also to graze and keep content. She is only going out for about 3 hours but this is arrangement suits her anyway at this time of year when it is cold and gloomy out.

We are going to organize a 'working party' of four or five of us every Saturday lunch time to organize moving the fencing onto new grass each week, many hands make light work. It will be a lot quicker doing this and it means that those who help and wish to ride after can do so whilst it is still light - so I can still have time for a hack for an hour or two before the light fades. They are a good lot at our yard and everyone puts themselves out for others when the need arises. The vet has said that she can go into her normal paddock loose after six weeks but my friend intends now to keep her in the enclosure all winter to be on the safe side.

So if anyone is planning on using herras fencing after seeing this update and my previous post, we can (at this stage) thoroughly recommend it as it has worked very well thus far.

 

[Birker2020]

I don't understand. When I did the first post on behalf of a friend asking if anyone had used herras fencing for their horse, in the main I got a lot of negativity about how the horse would rub on it and it would fall down, how the horse would kick a big hole through it, how it would blow in the wind, etc. etc.

Now I have posted that the fencing is working out fine and my friends horse has adapted well and come in each day uninjured my post has suddenly got 'boring'. Why is it that this forum is like this sometimes? Can people not say they are glad it has worked out okay, or 'glad to hear its working for your friends horse' or is it no longer a source of fun or amusement for some people when things actually go to plan? 323 of you have read this update, yet not one person has bothered commenting in the positive! I just find it a bit weird that's all. I thought someone out there might have been slightly impressed or happy or congratulatory or something!:confused4:

 

[ester]

It's because if you ask for opinions/have a question you get them/answers.

if you are just making a statement about something there generally isn't anything to reply so I am a bit confused what you are expecting?

Great that it's working, I probably still wouldn't use them as I still think all those things are still possible risks that I would prefer to avoid if I could, just because they haven't happened in your set up in two weeks doesn't mean they can't or won't.

 

[Fiona]

I don't understand. When I did the first post on behalf of a friend asking if anyone had used herras fencing for their horse, in the main I got a lot of negativity about how the horse would rub on it and it would fall down, how the horse would kick a big hole through it, how it would blow in the wind, etc. etc.

Now I have posted that the fencing is working out fine and my friends horse has adapted well and come in each day uninjured my post has suddenly got 'boring'. Why is it that this forum is like this sometimes? Can people not say they are glad it has worked out okay, or 'glad to hear its working for your friends horse' or is it no longer a source of fun or amusement for some people when things actually go to plan? 323 of you have read this update, yet not one person has bothered commenting in the positive! I just find it a bit weird that's all. I thought someone out there might have been slightly impressed or happy or congratulatory or something!:confused4:

I didn't see your update over the weekend, but I remember your initial post, and I'm so glad that your fiends mare is doing well and the fencing is working as you hoped

Also - the people on your yard all sound lovely x x

Fiona

 

[Birker2020]

I didn't see your update over the weekend, but I remember your initial post, and I'm so glad that your fiends mare is doing well and the fencing is working as you hoped

Also - the people on your yard all sound lovely x x

Fiona

Hi Fiona, yes they are nice on our yard, we tend to help each other out quite a bit, I've done a lot of research on the fencing for my friend as she helps with haying my horse in the morning, and also because where she works is in an open plan office and quite strict so she hasn't access to the internet like I have. I have had a couple of offers of help if I need it as my Dad's so ill at the moment and that's really kind of people too and we have a brilliant secret santa going on at the moment and a clinic in a couple of weeks that loads of people are doing on the yard so its all nice and friendly and chilled which is great.

Ester just think its weird as last time I had loads of replies in very short succession with people being quite negative and this time around no replies over many days, about something positive. Think its a bit odd that's all.

 

[ester]

the many days doesn't really count though as once it's dropped off the first page of new threads most won't see it

I do think it happens a lot, if you are asking about something replies happen, if you are doing an update/making a statement it doesn't matter if it is good or bad it's usually quieter .

 

[Birker2020]

the many days doesn't really count though as once it's dropped off the first page of new threads most won't see it

I do think it happens a lot, if you are asking about something replies happen, if you are doing an update/making a statement it doesn't matter if it is good or bad it's usually quieter .

Never thought of it like that, you are right I guess. Thanks.

 

[JillA]

TBH this is the first time I have seen/noticed this update, even though I go in via new posts. I am always interested in updates, so I would have noticed. Good outcome (there is a cohort of posters who always look for problems, and maybe that is down to experience of problems arising It's good to get both positive and negative so you know what you might be getting in to )

 

[Tronk]

Glad it’s worked. Could you possibly post a picture of how you’ve done it please? We’ve got loads of Heras fencing & I did consider using it when my boy needed small paddock turnout after an op, but I was worried it wouldn’t be strong enough.

 

[npage123]

I'm glad your friend's horse is improving and that the fencing is working I think it's good that you've arranged it so it's more circular than square.

Just so you know I visit the forum on most days, but always go to the 'new posts' section, instead of the individual sections. As mentioned already, maybe that's why people haven't noticed your update yet. (I've read your initial post with interest but couldn't think of any clever suggestions to make and wasn't able to add anything that wasn't said already.)

I've not seen it for a while but sometimes people 'bump' their post, by simply posting the word 'bump'. That will bring it back into the 'new posts' section again if it's the type of thread where you are very keen to get more feedback from other members.

 

[Birker2020]

Glad it’s worked. Could you possibly post a picture of how you’ve done it please? We’ve got loads of Heras fencing & I did consider using it when my boy needed small paddock turnout after an op, but I was worried it wouldn’t be strong enough.

Yes I will ask my friend if she minds me taking a photo of her horse in the fencing (not literally in it that is! - hopefully). She was going to join the forum and come on here to explain that it was really her horse that I was reffering to and not my own in my original post but I think she finds it all quite daunting tbh lol.I will see if I can do a photo in the light this weekend (either with or without E in the photo!)

Hi Npage123, yes apparently its the 50p configuration that keeps it stable.

 

[Widgeon]

TBH this is the first time I have seen/noticed this update, even though I go in via new posts. I am always interested in updates, so I would have noticed. Good outcome (there is a cohort of posters who always look for problems, and maybe that is down to experience of problems arising It's good to get both positive and negative so you know what you might be getting in to )

I'm glad it's working! I didn't see this either (but then I have been away for a few days) but I do like a good update - it's nice to hear how something has turned out after a poster asked for advice. There is definitely another thread on here from a while back about fencing for turnout pens, and someone swore by Heras fencing for their horse - I think he used to jump over anything else! I also think you're right JillA, more experienced people have seen more problems so are maybe more likely to suggest potential issues - but the majority of situations are actually fairly straightforward. That would be a good explanation for why there does seem to be so much negative feedback when people ask questions on the forum. It's probably over represented!

 

[ester]

That and everyone is keen to let others know potential risks, given that keeping horses is a constant risk management situation they are often the most important part . I don't think it is people looking for problems, just making sure others are aware so that they have the information to make an informed decision .

 

[popsdosh]

That and everyone is keen to let others know potential risks, given that keeping horses is a constant risk management situation they are often the most important part . I don't think it is people looking for problems, just making sure others are aware so that they have the information to make an informed decision .

My take is that because I have seen the consequences of Haras fencing going wrong there Is no way I would ever use it( even having it around) yet apparently if I pass on this knowledge it is scaremongering . Its is simply not strong enough to cope with a horse either kicking out or just crashing into it however it is just strong enough to cause some horrific injuries when a horse tries to extricate itself. I could liken it to driving to fast around a bend 99/100 its not a problem however the one time whenever it occurs could be fatal so generally choose not to risk it.

 

[Auslander]

My take is that because I have seen the consequences of Haras fencing going wrong there Is no way I would ever use it( even having it around) yet apparently if I pass on this knowledge it is scaremongering . Its is simply not strong enough to cope with a horse either kicking out or just crashing into it however it is just strong enough to cause some horrific injuries when a horse tries to extricate itself. I could liken it to driving to fast around a bend 99/100 its not a problem however the one time whenever it occurs could be fatal so generally choose not to risk it.

Likewise. It's like wire fencing - it can keep horses successfully contained without causing them any harm, until the day it doesn't.

It's easy and cheap to hire plastic round pens nowadays, so that what I'd opt for if I needed to.

 

[Birker2020]

My take is that because I have seen the consequences of Haras fencing going wrong there Is no way I would ever use it( even having it around) yet apparently if I pass on this knowledge it is scaremongering .it.

I didn't know you had responded to my OP. Anyway its working which is better than the horse careering around a large paddock with its current injury. I just wanted to update people that's all. Thanks for your comments guys.