What size for summer paddock?

[Scot123]

After such a long winter (I'm in Scotland...!) it's great to be planning the summer paddocks! I don't have enough fencing to do a track system though I'd quite like to. I have to have restricted grazing for both ponies. But I still want them to be able to have a good gallop around the place and stretch their legs if they want.
SO the question is... what sort of length/width of paddock would I need as a minimum to give a just over 14hh pony space to have a good zoom around if he fancied it? I'm thinking of dividing 1/2 acre into 2 sections, each about 50m by 35m. Do you think that would be enough?
Thank you!

 

[PurBee]

quarter of an acre is quite small for a 14hh pony to gallop in, but theyd have a good trot and slow canter. I let mine tear around in 1.4 acre round field and they get to full speed just as they have to slow down and turn.

 

[Scot123]

Thanks. Yes, it's going to be a trade off with smaller size to keep weight down (won't tolerate muzzle) and enough space to play around. What sort of dimensions are your field?

 

[Leo Walker]

Mine are in a paddock 50x30 ish

 

[Goldenstar]

I have three ID,s on about one and half acres not what I usually do but they are not doing enough work for my usual summer system so I am hard grazing to bare a small area .
smaller paddocks are not an option as they need to have movement .

 

[Scot123]

I imagine 3 IDs on 1.5acres is maybe similar to a shetland and a pony on 1/2 acre !
Leo - as that's a similar size to what I'm thinking, how do yours get on in that sort of area? Is it enough for them to stretch their legs well?

 

[PurBee]

Thanks. Yes, it's going to be a trade off with smaller size to keep weight down (won't tolerate muzzle) and enough space to play around. What sort of dimensions are your field?

around 80 x80m with bunches of young trees they love to weave through aswell. The ground is very firm and they prefer that area for tearing about. they have a 1/3 acre area where they just trot around but we get scottish weather here too and that area is mush within weeks if theyre in there regularly.

all you can do is try your idea...see how it works out. i try to restrict lush grazing too...its a tough balance between enough room and not too much grass!

 

[dorsetladette]

My summer paddocks are about 1 and a half acres each. We'll be alternating 3 cobs between the 2. But like others have said because none of them are doing enough they haven't moved off the winter side yet.

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

We have probably just over an acre with two about 14.2 & 15hh on tracked, it's a horseshoe shape at the moment whilst I wait for my battery pack etc to turn up. It's about 12ft wide on 3 sides and about 20 on one as it's almost bare from winter plus where their shelter is. I'll move the sides in and out on rotation then all summer. They're still having a slice or so of hay each overnight at the moment but once grass is through it'll stop.

 

[Leo Walker]

I imagine 3 IDs on 1.5acres is maybe similar to a shetland and a pony on 1/2 acre !
Leo - as that's a similar size to what I'm thinking, how do yours get on in that sort of area? Is it enough for them to stretch their legs well?

They are quite settled and don't really go in for hooning about that much, but when they do its fine. My mare is supposed to be in hard work but with everything going on has been on holiday for the last few weeks. I tend to bring them both into the school and let them have a run about in there, or more accurately, I chase them about to get them moving. Its 40x20 but they have no issue flat out galloping round it!

 

[Leo Walker]

I am haying twice a day. 2kgs each in the morning, and 3kgs each on an evening. If they were eating solely hay it would be more like 10kgs in total, so they are getting some grass as it comes through, but its supplementary rather than their sole forage source.

 

[Scot123]

Sorry, I've not been able to log on in a couple of days. Thanks for all your replies. No, I have to admit that mine really don't hoon around either if they can help it! I just want to allow for the possibility! It's interesting to hear what other people have for the summer. I still like the idea of a track, but that's not happening any time soon. However, I've remeasured a a bit more acurately and it's actually about 3/4 acre I'll be dividing up so I'm a bit happier with the amount of space. And it's mostly reedy/poor grass in that area so hopefully they won't balloon! Thanks again everyone, and keep safe x