Would this work???

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barnbrookaa

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ok so heres the situation i have 2 horses and they are overweight due to me having access to alot of grazing! about 3 and half acres!!

now this is too much for them to eat and i was thinking of getting a couple of shetlands just to keep the grass down would you advice this?? or not??

My ponies need to be on less grazing as it is so would having more to keep it down help or not??

a little confuesed thanks xx
 
what about getting a few sheep.....work wonders on the grazing
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Was thinking sheep but they have ti be sheared and dipped and stuff seemed a lot of work and we really dont know how to look after sheep horses we can cope with
 
I wouldn't get sheep because of Foot and Mouth. I wouldn't have thought Shetlands were the best idea due to laminitis if you already have too much you'll be putting them in an at risk situation.
 
Shetlands are designed to live on fresh air. If you want to use them to keep down grazing you are likely to end up with two laminitics.

Borrow some sheep or cows.
 
they wouldnt have all of the grazing and would be used for something to keep weight off them

thanks for the opinions though guys
 
Couldnt you use electric fencing to strip graze it? Or even get a farmer to cut some of it? Or det some goats - which, as far as Im aware, are more low maintanance than sheep!
 
I'd fence off 2 acres now and get some late cut haylage off it.

Even if you have to pay a local farmer it will be cheaper and less hassle than sheep or shetlands. Our YO was quoted £6 I think to make large bale haylage and it gets sold at about £25 a bale so it makes sense even for a small acreage.
 
I'll put a vote in for llamas. Don't need feet trimming, shearing, and won't come down with laminitis

Fairly useless though, unless you breed and sell to other people!!
 
my goats loved grass (weren't too keen on brambles and stuff but loved grass!!!) but i agree that they don't really eat it in any great quantity.
it would seem to me that come the winter you'll be glad of the whole 3.5 acres, i'd just get a cut off it if you can or get someone in to top it.
 
Instead of getting your own sheep contact a local farmer, they are often more than happy to bring a few over that way you don't have the upkeep...also sheep break up the worm cycle....
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I think that is a good idea 4whitelegs, otherwise I would simply use electric fencing. Have to agree getting shetlands is not a good idea really., unless you have a use for them.
 
At this present time i am having 2 1/2 acres cut for hay so that will be fairly short anyway but was just wanting to keep it down after that
 
i would use elec fencing, that way you can strip graze and you shouldn't run too low over winter, you dont want to have no grass at all by adding a couple of extra lawnmowers
 
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