Author Topic: Temporary horse grazing... (Read 5646 times)

lowlander · « **on:** September 16, 2014, 03:38:42 pm »

We're new to our smallholding (moved in about a month ago) and have just met our nearest farm neighbour (some way up the road but he was topping his fields near us today). He is going to top ours which is great but also offered to put a couple of horses in one field (that we're not using at the moment) for a few weeks before topping so not to waste the grass. We are happy to have them as it will give us a chance to get to know them - a couple are for sale and we are contemplating them but not sure whether they will be right for us yet. But are there any downsides to this? They are hardy cob types and are out all the time so no worries about shelter etc (plenty of hedgerow and trees), there is a stream at the bottom and he'll provide a water crate.

Steph Hen · « **Reply #1 on:** September 16, 2014, 04:42:54 pm »

Horses are known for being bad for pasture. Things to look out for are cutting turf up, poaching damp earth, or in very dry weather, standing in same area so much they turn it to dust. Made worse with shod horses. Especially a problem in gateways, by troughs, etc. Also sometimes browsing habits and pooing in same places can end up with some areas full of docks and weeds, some long grasses and some turf neatly nibbled.

Personally, short term, low stocking density, probably won't do too much damage.
If the field is prone to get wet and you do want to top it, think about how much later in the year you could get a tractor on. May be better done sooner while ground is dryish?

shygirl · « **Reply #2 on:** September 17, 2014, 11:41:53 am »

sounds a bad decision - sheep or cattle yes but horses no....especially if they are for sale...also you dont know what worm burden they will bring and horse dung doesnt disappear as quick as sheep/cattles.

take loads of time choosing the right horse as buy in haste and repent at leisure is very true with horses. at least with sheep/cattle you can send them away if you dont like them.
the wrong horses will cost a fortune and buying from a friend/neighbour is asking for trouble if you value the friendship. there are plenty of good ponies for sale so dont rush, and dont panic about long grass, its nearly winter now.
have you kept horses before and can you ride?

Bramblecot · « **Reply #3 on:** September 17, 2014, 01:04:14 pm »

On the other hand, getting to know your new

neighbours is a great asset

. Maybe say they can stay for a month before the ground gets wet? You help him and he helps you

. But I'd steer clear of buying any stock until you are well and truly settled in your new place.

Rosemary · « **Reply #4 on:** September 17, 2014, 02:09:53 pm »

Horses are OK on grass if the soil's quite dry, the horses are unshod, they are grazed tightly and the droppings are lifted daily.

I used our three to strip graze a rough paddock one winter, moving electric fence every coule of days and lifting poo and they did a great job.

Two horses in a big field unmanaged will create latrines which will become rank unpalatable grass with areas inbetween grazed to the soil.

lowlander · « **Reply #5 on:** September 17, 2014, 04:45:40 pm »

Thanks for all the thoughts. The plan was to put them on one field (about 1 1/4 acres) for a fortnight and then on another half acre field for a few more days - then take them off and top the fields. They are unshod. The fields are both pretty dry at the moment. I'll check about lifting the droppings. I suspect that he might not be planning that....

We've already decided not to buy these after getting a bit more information about them - they are only about 4 and unridden - so not a good match for us. I used to ride regularly (am rusty now - has been a few years) but have not kept horses before so would need something a bit more steady! But the point about getting to know our nearest farm neighbour is a good one.

shygirl · « **Reply #6 on:** September 17, 2014, 11:12:26 pm »

where abouts are you? highland ponies are very kind hearted.

lowlander · « **Reply #7 on:** September 18, 2014, 07:37:20 am »

Quote from: shygirl on September 17, 2014, 11:12:26 pm

where abouts are you? highland ponies are very kind hearted.

West Yorkshire. Suspect in the end we will find a couple of native ponies - but we'll take our time.

twizzel · « **Reply #8 on:** September 18, 2014, 10:24:54 am »

sounds like your neighbour might have seen you've got some grass and is lacking in it his side of the fence. I can't see he'll be doing you much of a favour apart from getting free grazing for his horses. Agree about being detrimental to pasture the ground may be dry at the moment but there is rain coming and then you could have a different story. Horses don't put anything back into grazing, whereas cattle will graze fairly rough grazing and sheep are even grazers, horses are very picky grazers and can trash a field in minutes... I'd say no. Plus not sure where insurance would stand- is your fencing good enough for horses?