Yarding - how to split up hardstanding?

diddy

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Hi all,

For once I'm getting ready in advance for the next season (just can't say the W word)! I have an area of hardstanding that I would like to make better use of to keep the horses off the field when it's very wet. The idea is to keep them out of the mud & let them have access to a big bale so they can eat in comfort & stretch their legs.

Two of the ponies get on very well & share their piles of hay, field shelter etc. The other is a bit of a grump - doesn't usually kick but is a real Victor Meldrew character & will move the girls from one pile to the next & generally bully them given the opportunity.

I'm thinking that it would be better/safer to "yard" them separately, with the girls on one side & Mr. Antisocial on the other. The yard is hardstanding rather than concrete per se, but pretty solid underfoot. My questions are (1) would it be ok to keep them separate for say a few days at a time or a bit lonely for Mr. A? And (2) how should I split the yard? Post & rail seems a bit over the top/expensive? But I'm guessing they could just push hera panels over? Does anyone have any good DIY ideas?!

Thank you :)

D.x
 
With mine, I find haynets dotted around work best. I also have one that pushes the other around. I like that they keep moving around and exercise on the hard standing rather than just standing eating.

I also have a row of water buckets down the middle of the yard to divide it a bit and make them go round so he can't run straight at her if grumpy.
 
I would use hay boxes and a water trough to separate them they could groom over the top but not attack each other
If yours are not piggy you could use hessian of straw to separate them in a medium height wall mine would eat the straw but yours may not and I suppose you could put a tarp over it to prevent the scoffing
 
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You could put posts (thick stakes would do) in tubtrugs of cement then use insulators and electric tape maybe

The tubtrugs would be heavy but could be rolled if you need to move them, they could also be used at other times for marking out a grass arena or making a small corral on grass
 
Thanks for your ideas :) I like the idea of either splitting with hay boxes, water buckets etc. or maybe the tub trug idea. Not sure if I can get fence posts into the ground so that would be a good alternative. Great ideas as always - thanks guys!
 
I have a concrete yard that I sometimes need to split and I have drilled some holes into it at intervals so that I can slot electric fence posts into them. It works really well. The holes fill with dirt when not in use and I just wash them out when I need them. :)
 
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