Winter paddock management

[bmd]

I have 4 ponies - 1 Shetland and 2 cobs that do no need lots of grass and I have a yearling that does.
We have 2.5 acres that has been divided into three paddocks 1 large triangle right down the bottom which has been my summer turnout and has literally been stripped bare and two other large paddocks near the stable block which are going to be my winter paddocks. The winter paddocks have not been grazed on for months so the grass has got fairly long which is perfect for my yearling but not for the other 3 and I am aware that our winter could be here until March and I am cautious about not wanting to get ahead of myself by letting them have it all now as well as watching the weight of the other 3 as it is so long!

This is my first time having the ponies home.. I am used to being on a livery yard where I was given one paddock all year round

 

[paddi22]

are they out full time or just turned out during the day?

 

[bmd]

are they out full time or just turned out during the day?

In at night through winter and out in the day from about October but if weather is really bad in at night from now

 

[Fiona]

Strip graze your winter paddocks 😃

Fiona

 

[Polos Mum]

I don't start using my 'winter' paddock until xmas, it's a long time from 25 December to the middle of March (or mid April as it was this year).

How about an autumn paddock (one of your three) use from say mid Oct to end Dec - if you can put the yearling in the main part and strip graze the fatties behind him (if he will be OK on the other side of the fence from them) It is really hard when you have very different nutritional needs - 2 pairs would be easier one fatty pair and one needing food pair ! You can put some hay out in the fatty side to keep them occupied if they need it.

I'd then do the same end Dec to end March on the third field - it'll have some good grass on it which will benefit your youngster come worst of the winter and give you a bit of a break from putting hay out while you strip graze that one.

Your summer field will then have been rested from c.6 months and ought to be looking good (maybe harrow, weed kill etc.) ready for start of growth season. Don't race to put them on it if the weather isn't good enough in the spring. I am usually mid march to summer fields but mine were late April this year before it really started growing - if I had moved them too soon there wouldn't have been anything to grow when the sun finally came!