Winter is a cruel mistress

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This morning it is honestly all I can do not to cry. This winter is nearly breaking me.

First winter in a new field and every week it throws me a new challenge and almost at breaking point.

First one side of the field is under water which I wasn't expecting. This is the side with the field shelter so that field shelter in now out of action. It also hasn't been well placed and faces wind, rain and direct sunlight so might as well not be there :(.

Only saving grace is the entire field is natural hedgerow from fencing so they have tons of natural shelter and can get out of the wind no matter what direction.

Desperately trying to mend the roof and clear out the years of piled up junk previous tenants have dumped in the other field shelter in the side not under water but its too wet to get the car and trailer up there even using 4x4 so forced to clear it by pushing individual wheelbarrows up and down the field (6acres and at the top of a slope) which makes it back breaking and incredibly slow work in the dark around work and I'm getting nowhere.

Have hard standing underneath a couple of CM top soil at bottom of big field near gate that was a perfect feeding place but even that has started struggling under a full week of biblical rain after heavy frost. Am currently trying to dig the top soil up using Shovel and wheelbarrow before and after work to get back to the hard standing but it is back breaking and so slow.

Now one of the horses has an abcess and all I want is to get her off the field onto hard standing or into a stable so I can poultice dry and treat it but got nowhere to go. (TB with TB feet).

Struggling not to cry and hating it. I had thought I'd have the shelter (which has a big gate and can double up as a stable) to use in this type of situation but it is underwater. The blow when that realisation hit was terrible.

I feel like such a useless owner. Now I know what I'm dealing with come spring and over summer we will be installing serious infrastructure - new shelters, digger to remove the top soil from the hard standing and mobile stable with field shelter will be installed so next winter I always have the option to bring in when the going gets tough. It's just that none of this helps me now.

Moved in in autumn so didn't have any summer to get to know the lay of the land in time to prep.

Its going to be a lovely place once the work is done but the unexpected and unknown this year has been tough, exhausting and more than a bit soul destroying. Been giving it my absolute all to try and build, mend and organise but feel like the odds are just stacked against me right now.

Anyone else struggling?
 
First winters on unknown land must be the hardest for everyone.
Our place was a nightmare! We didn’t realise the main path down to fairly good fields to use for winter, was actually metres deep black bog….the winter constant rain revealed it was possible to sink and be seriously stuck. A 100m path needed to be built, which wasn’t going to happen quickly (we used a technique they use in the army to get over seriously boggy ground in the end!), so instead we built a dry hardcore mini turn out paddock, as that was quicker and cheaper than the time/work/money needed for the path through the bog.
So instantly lost access to 4 acres of good limestone land over winter. The turn out areas left to use for winter were abused pretty badly back then, but it kept them moving and they had a large bedded shelter to get dry, keep warm, and sleep in the worst of weather.

It’s a hard slog, as each day reveals another issue and figuring out how to overcome it. I was exhausted by it as you describe. We had a tractor available and 4x4’s but couldn’t use them as they’d get stuck too. Once we tried with the tractor and got it so stuck we had to wait until finer weather of late spring to attempt rescuing it…sorry thing was bog-bound for months!

We’re merely 4-6 weeks away from more daylight, hopefully warmer temps. Your plans for spring sound solid and achievable so next winter you’ll be armed and ready.
Hang in there, we’re slowly creeping toward spring, and like you said, the horses have natural shelter, movement and food, which is a lot more than many get. Theyre lucky to have you wanting to perfect their living space!
 
PurBee said:
First winters on unknown land must be the hardest for everyone.
Our place was a nightmare! We didn’t realise the main path down to fairly good fields to use for winter, was actually metres deep black bog….the winter constant rain revealed it was possible to sink and be seriously stuck. A 100m path needed to be built, which wasn’t going to happen quickly (we used a technique they use in the army to get over seriously boggy ground in the end!), so instead we built a dry hardcore mini turn out paddock, as that was quicker and cheaper than the time/work/money needed for the path through the bog.
So instantly lost access to 4 acres of good limestone land over winter. The turn out areas left to use for winter were abused pretty badly back then, but it kept them moving and they had a large bedded shelter to get dry, keep warm, and sleep in the worst of weather.

It’s a hard slog, as each day reveals another issue and figuring out how to overcome it. I was exhausted by it as you describe. We had a tractor available and 4x4’s but couldn’t use them as they’d get stuck too. Once we tried with the tractor and got it so stuck we had to wait until finer weather of late spring to attempt rescuing it…sorry thing was bog-bound for months!

We’re merely 4-6 weeks away from more daylight, hopefully warmer temps. Your plans for spring sound solid and achievable so next winter you’ll be armed and ready.
Hang in there, we’re slowly creeping toward spring, and like you said, the horses have natural shelter, movement and food, which is a lot more than many get. Theyre lucky to have you wanting to perfect their living space!
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Thank you for being kind and sharing what you guys went through. Does help to know not alone! I keep telling myself its not long to go now but hard to feel it.

They have adlib forage at all times and snuggled up in the right rugs and regularly changed when the weather fluctuates in temp so they don't get wet or too hot/cold and as I mentioned they have loads of natural shelter. I know they actually much prefer to live out, just wish I could get the safety nets in place now so ready for eventualities. No way am I going through this again next winter!
 
I feel for you as sounds back breaking work but youre not alone, Im really struggling this winter so much that I cannot physically do another winter so plan to sell 2 out of the 3. Its just all such hard slog so time has come. I think when you have a plan like you do it makes it better as you are working towards something - that's what Im telling myself to get through the next weeks!
 
bubsqueaks said:
I feel for you as sounds back breaking work but youre not alone, Im really struggling this winter so much that I cannot physically do another winter so plan to sell 2 out of the 3. Its just all such hard slog so time has come. I think when you have a plan like you do it makes it better as you are working towards something - that's what Im telling myself to get through the next weeks!
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There have been many times recently when I've wondered whether to give up 2 of the 3 and the field and move to a livery yard so I totally understand that feeling.

But then I remember how much I love having my own space and that now I know what its like there will never be another winter like this one to keep myself going. And that hopefully in 8 weeks time I'll think I was mad to think about giving it up. Must hold onto this during the bleak moments.

Hang in there to you too! It is funny when you are alone in the dark covered in mud and s*** you feel like you must be the only one struggling and that everyone else out there has it all sorted and the perfect setup. It just helps to know we are not alone doesn't it.


Thank you for sharing!
 
rabatsa said:
Invest in some Mud Control slabs. You can put them where ever needed for now and then lift and put out considered during the summer.
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I did look at these a few weeks ago but I couldn't justify the cost knowing that with some back breaking labour I can reveal hard standing 🤣 I have managed to reveal a 2metre by 2metre section around 1 feeder. Just 2 more like that to go to get through the next few weeks then the digger can do the rest.
 
i really sympathise - have been through it all, having taken over a place 10 years ago that was seriously run down. No it's still not perfect, but the list of jobs is a lot shorter these days! Can you give yourself a break from the repair and maintenance until spring, and just focus on the horses and your own sanity? It's not too much longer!
 
This might not be a sensible idea but can you move all the junk just to the side of the shelter, cover it and electric fence it off so they can't get at it? Then move it when the groudn firms up? My yard did this with a fallen tree that was too big to move in the winter. You would at least have access to it then. But we have electricity already in the fields.
 
When you are digging out the mud from
the top of the hard standing, can you just dig it out of the way, rather than move it properly? That's what I did, then the digger can help do the job properly in the Spring.

Just to give you a bit of hope, I can get to my little yard and feed all the animals in my trainers all year if I need to. It's taken many years and re-jigging to get there, but with the aid of planings, mats and a concrete yard, I've managed to make it easier for myself. Of course my ponies are still making mud in the field, but I don't have to go through it. Having my own space is wonderful and worth the years of struggling when I first moved in.

Keep going and brighter days will come
and you can sort it all out then.
 
Totally feel your pain. It's bloody hard work this time of year, especially when your not set up ready for winter.

We have a few weeks left of winter (it feels like the longest time) and then the lighter nights will be here and you can start working on prep for next winter and making life easier.

Can you stuff the rubbish behind the shelter for now and just elec fence it off until you can get a car up there?

Can you rope in a few people at the weekend to scrape the soil off the concrete and lay some grass mats to stop it getting slippy?
 
Gropony said:
This might not be a sensible idea but can you move all the junk just to the side of the shelter, cover it and electric fence it off so they can't get at it? Then move it when the groudn firms up? My yard did this with a fallen tree that was too big to move in the winter. You would at least have access to it then. But we have electricity already in the fields.
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I have thought about doing something like this but there are electric fence battery thieves a plenty in our area. fences don't tend to stay electric long sadly. I considered just emptying it and then fencing off the junk - not entirely written this idea off - but the gelding is a bit of a pain and when he gets bored he gets up to mischief and is liable to push through the fence if it isn't on to be nosy. Although its mostly old planks of wood and brambles and broken plastic buckets and chairs that type of thing. So long as I removed any nails or screws or anything he could potentially hurt himself on no real reason I can just rope it off for a few weeks. It would get the shelter in use a lot quicker and save a lot of hard work...

dorsetladette said:
Totally feel your pain. It's bloody hard work this time of year, especially when your not set up ready for winter.

We have a few weeks left of winter (it feels like the longest time) and then the lighter nights will be here and you can start working on prep for next winter and making life easier.

Can you stuff the rubbish behind the shelter for now and just elec fence it off until you can get a car up there?

Can you rope in a few people at the weekend to scrape the soil off the concrete and lay some grass mats to stop it getting slippy?
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The shelter is right in the top corner backing onto the hedge so no behind it to speak of sadly.

I do have the other half who is being incredibly helpful and said he will help me on Saturday. I'm hoping he can reroof the shelter while I continue to dig up top soil.

Its also a friend who suggested coming with the digger to do the top soil so I wasnt breaking my back which is very kind and lovely to know that is coming when possible.

meleeka said:
When you are digging out the mud from
the top of the hard standing, can you just dig it out of the way, rather than move it properly? That's what I did, then the digger can help do the job properly in the Spring.

Just to give you a bit of hope, I can get to my little yard and feed all the animals in my trainers all year if I need to. It's taken many years and re-jigging to get there, but with the aid of planings, mats and a concrete yard, I've managed to make it easier for myself. Of course my ponies are still making mud in the field, but I don't have to go through it. Having my own space is wonderful and worth the years of struggling when I first moved in.

Keep going and brighter days will come
and you can sort it all out then.
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I have no idea why I didn't think of this before makes so much sense thanks for suggesting. I've been wheelbarrowing it to the edge of the field. A pile is a much better and more inviting idea. Will be doing that in the rain and dark tonight when I go down after work. Belting it down here again.

Thanks for sharing your setup - it does give me hope!

Thank you so much everyone for your kind and supportive comments. I feel a lot lighter just knowing that I am not the only one and that it is fine if it takes a while and I'm not going to be burnt at the stake because the setup isn't perfect right now 😂 and its okay if its a process in year 1.

Dreaming of a covered stable, shelter or tie up area right now where I could enjoy spending time with them wind, rain or shine!

And riding.....what's riding? Gave up on that pipe dream weeks ago 🤣🤣 I'd had visions that I'd be out doing riding club rallies and making new friends by now. Far from it 😆.
 
You'll get through it. And it gives you an idea of what parts to graze and what parts to save over the summer.

I took mine on in early spring g and it was covered in ragwort. I had pulling parties every week for about 6 weeks to clear each paddock. I provided bbq and beer and people were more than happy to help. I recommend you never turn down help while your setting things up and always repay generously with something nice so they come back next time. Lol x
 
dorsetladette said:
You'll get through it. And it gives you an idea of what parts to graze and what parts to save over the summer.

I took mine on in early spring g and it was covered in ragwort. I had pulling parties every week for about 6 weeks to clear each paddock. I provided bbq and beer and people were more than happy to help. I recommend you never turn down help while your setting things up and always repay generously with something nice so they come back next time. Lol x
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We have had offers to help but I always feel guilty asking people to do - let's face it bad - jobs so I never take them up on it. But perhaps I should. I guess people don't really offer unless they mean it either. All our friends are big drinkers so if I made sure to ply everyone with something alcoholic I think they'd have a great time having a mini field party while doing jobs. The drink always tastes better when you feel like you earned it toiling in the fields 😅
 
The world is a funny place though. Since posting this today 4 things have happened.
1. Got a phone call from the friend with digger - coming Sat to remove topsoil.
2. He and partner are going to look at how we can move the existing shelter to better part of field.
3. We have procured some free roofing (ex display) to mend the field shelter roof.
4. Work have said I can move my hours around while there are so few daylight hours. So I can start a bit later and finish later. Immediate extra daylight hours to work in.

I put my plea out to universe with the post today and it answered me. Feeling so much more positive and perky!
 
Glad you've had some luck on your side with the above.
I've nothing overly useful to add but may make a note/list of what's wrong or not quite working for you as you go.
I say this as I find as things improve with the weather and life gets in the way it's easy to forget just how bad things were at least if written down you can check things off as you do them, rather than get to next winter and think oh bugger.

I hope everything works out
 
Sanversera said:
I'm struggling too. Feel like throwing in the towel and giving up horses,I'm even stressing about haymaking and that's months away.
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Hang in there too. Have you cut your own hay before? Its my first time managing my own grazing (after a 10 year horse break) so I feel you there too. When to cut hay when to Harrow. How deep to harrow, do I roll etc etc. I have seen some helpful posts on here about hay making and harrowing etc. If you have a search for them I found them really helpful and full of great advice x
 
HorsesRule2009 said:
Glad you've had some luck on your side with the above.
I've nothing overly useful to add but may make a note/list of what's wrong or not quite working for you as you go.
I say this as I find as things improve with the weather and life gets in the way it's easy to forget just how bad things were at least if written down you can check things off as you do them, rather than get to next winter and think oh bugger.

I hope everything works out
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Haha I have a list alright - and it gets longer by the day with ever changing priority 1 job 🙃
 
Been there, feel your pain.
The first winter here I kind of got everything wrong, I didn’t know what I needed where or how things would pan out in bad weather etc.
I vividly remember one freezing pitch black morning in the pounding rain tipping my big barrow as it was stuck
In the mud and I just sat down and cried 😬 in the mud and rain and dark.

It’s the middle of January and soon Feb then we are absolutely on the up.
You know now what will happen next winter and when the field dries you are in the best position to crack on and fix the issues you couldn’t possibly have anticipated.

I expect the horses are actually fine. Mine never use a shelter in winter anyway, they would stand out what ever the weather. They will be happy with hay, rugs, company.

No just read your update 😂🥳🥳
 
I can so sympathise. Our first winter on our field was horrendous. It was 23 acres that had only been down to grass for about 3 years having been ploughed for over 20 years before. No decent turf cover and heavy clay was a nightmare. Too many horses didn't help and a very wet winter. Moved where we put the hay everyday so basically ploughed the whole field. Such a mess, even got reported to the RSPCA as looked so awful. Nothing came of that as the Inspector spoke to neighbour who told him if he could point out anywhere with dry grazing he would be there first and that we girls were there night and morning seeing to our horses. Over the last 32 years we have learned to cope with our land and life is quite easy now. No stables, no hard standing but field is now split in three and we can graze it as it needs. We learned the hard way that it wouldn't support many horses as just too wet.

Sounds as though your place will be lovely by next winter. Just hang on to that thought and accept all the help you can get.
 
I was in a very similar situation last winter, so I empathise with you 100 %. Previous tenant had too big horses for the land, the shelter is on a slope so everything migrates downhill, the ground was mostly brown or deep mud for a good third of the field due to her stressy shod horses churning it up and her storage large bales and all sorts of crap on pallets, leaving behind inches of old hay which stopped the grass growing...it was soul destroying and I thought I'd made a huge mistake moving.

I wish I'd taken photos last year, because I know that this year is so much better as I know the land and have managed it much better than the previous tenant. Still lots to improve on, but we're getting there. Hang on in there until spring. Your suggestions are good ones and the update is fab.

poiuytrewq said:
I vividly remember one freezing pitch black morning in the pounding rain tipping my big barrow as it was stuck
In the mud and I just sat down and cried 😬 in the mud and rain and dark.
Click to expand...
I remember trying to shift hay bales into my storage (inside the shelter). Had to wheel them 2 at a time 5 minutes from the yard and up a muddy hill as it was too wet to drive on. I sank so deep in the mud outside my shelter I fell backwards and ended up lay down in mud a foot deep, with a hay bale on my chest. If I hadn't laughed at myself, I would have cried!! I swear the horses found it funny, too. I'm surprised they didn't come on over and start dining from the weird new table.
 
poiuytrewq said:
Been there, feel your pain.
The first winter here I kind of got everything wrong, I didn’t know what I needed where or how things would pan out in bad weather etc.
I vividly remember one freezing pitch black morning in the pounding rain tipping my big barrow as it was stuck
In the mud and I just sat down and cried 😬 in the mud and rain and dark.

It’s the middle of January and soon Feb then we are absolutely on the up.
You know now what will happen next winter and when the field dries you are in the best position to crack on and fix the issues you couldn’t possibly have anticipated.

I expect the horses are actually fine. Mine never use a shelter in winter anyway, they would stand out what ever the weather. They will be happy with hay, rugs, company.

No just read your update 😂🥳🥳
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing the sat down and cried story. I feel like you could be describing me to me lol. I have done the same. Couldn't get through the mud from the (now underwater field shelter) because I'd sunk 2 foot in deep gateway mud between the 2 fields and couldn't move forward or back. So just stood there crying to myself in the mud. Pitch black, rain and my head torch died on me so couldn't see my way out. Ended up throwing 3 massive piles of hay out in the sinking field knowing most would go to waste called the horses over and went home to a fat glass of wine and just gave up for the day!
 
OMG that sounds horrific, I feel for you! I really hope you can manage to treat the abscess successfully.

makes me feel like my stress over keeping a abscess hole clean is nothing compared to what you're dealing with.

sending positive vibes
 
Fransurrey said:
I was in a very similar situation last winter, so I empathise with you 100 %. Previous tenant had too big horses for the land, the shelter is on a slope so everything migrates downhill, the ground was mostly brown or deep mud for a good third of the field due to her stressy shod horses churning it up and her storage large bales and all sorts of crap on pallets, leaving behind inches of old hay which stopped the grass growing...it was soul destroying and I thought I'd made a huge mistake moving.

I wish I'd taken photos last year, because I know that this year is so much better as I know the land and have managed it much better than the previous tenant. Still lots to improve on, but we're getting there. Hang on in there until spring. Your suggestions are good ones and the update is fab.


I remember trying to shift hay bales into my storage (inside the shelter). Had to wheel them 2 at a time 5 minutes from the yard and up a muddy hill as it was too wet to drive on. I sank so deep in the mud outside my shelter I fell backwards and ended up lay down in mud a foot deep, with a hay bale on my chest. If I hadn't laughed at myself, I would have cried!! I swear the horses found it funny, too. I'm surprised they didn't come on over and start dining from the weird new table.
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So so nice to hear these tales! Makes it easier to laugh and smile at my own current situation which has been a very similar experience. Thanks for sharing!
 
PurBee said:
First winters on unknown land must be the hardest for everyone.
Our place was a nightmare! We didn’t realise the main path down to fairly good fields to use for winter, was actually metres deep black bog….the winter constant rain revealed it was possible to sink and be seriously stuck. A 100m path needed to be built, which wasn’t going to happen quickly (we used a technique they use in the army to get over seriously boggy ground in the end!), so instead we built a dry hardcore mini turn out paddock, as that was quicker and cheaper than the time/work/money needed for the path through the bog.
So instantly lost access to 4 acres of good limestone land over winter. The turn out areas left to use for winter were abused pretty badly back then, but it kept them moving and they had a large bedded shelter to get dry, keep warm, and sleep in the worst of weather.

It’s a hard slog, as each day reveals another issue and figuring out how to overcome it. I was exhausted by it as you describe. We had a tractor available and 4x4’s but couldn’t use them as they’d get stuck too. Once we tried with the tractor and got it so stuck we had to wait until finer weather of late spring to attempt rescuing it…sorry thing was bog-bound for months!

We’re merely 4-6 weeks away from more daylight, hopefully warmer temps. Your plans for spring sound solid and achievable so next winter you’ll be armed and ready.
Hang in there, we’re slowly creeping toward spring, and like you said, the horses have natural shelter, movement and food, which is a lot more than many get. Theyre lucky to have you wanting to perfect their living space!
Click to expand...
This so true, our last long term home had stables, bought it summer and no one told us it was on the edge of the flood plain and the area where the stables were flooded up to 2ft with an inch of water in the stables. Lost 40 bales of hay, not water damaged but the damp sent it mouldy.
The good news is once you have seen the worst you can make better plan, rather than spend money of stuff that will end up under water, or inaccessible because its knee deep in mud. I lost count of the times I ended up on my butt in thick clay mud.
 
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