Would you rent a field if ..?

I used to livery at a farm with lots of footpaths through the fields. It wasn't possible to fence off all the paths and during the three years we only had one idiot who let their dog off the lead when it was snarling at the horses. My filly nearly killed the dog as she tried to stamp on it when it went for her legs. She is now terrible with dogs and really 'goes' for them if they are off the lead.

All the other dog owners (and there must have been lots) were sensible and caused no problems.
 
if you do decide to fence the footpath, which may be practical or not (once fenced it may be harder to make use of both sides, also it will need regular strimming/mowing as it wont get grazed), then bear in mind minimum widths

i) as respects a footpath which is not a field-edge path, 1 metre,
(ii) as respects a footpath which is a field-edge path, 1.5 metres,

If using electric fencing to do the fencing bear in mind that wont necessarily stop dogs, and also you need then to allow extra width so people dont brush it if passing others or with small children by accident. You must also sign the electric fence every so many metres, the fencing companies sell the signs.

I wouldnt rent it without fencing the path off from the horses with sheep wire and also then having an electric fence set back from that. But then our horses used to be fed burgers by pub patrons so Im probably biased!
 
Can I just add another point to bear in mind? One acre is not alot for 2 horses/ponies. I rent a 2 acre field, but due to the poor winter and hot summer, had to rent more land, otherwise my horses wouldn't have had anything to eat. Both of mine are 'good doers', but Harvey was starting to look decidedly thin!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top