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aarque
Bronze Member
 France
94 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Mar 2009 : 08:27:24 AM
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Although our horses are still in U.K,we have been told that the hay
and grass is very,very rich in Normandie and to be very careful on what we buy.
We appreciate our grass is lush and we will have to keep paddocks low.
Any tips would be helpful?
Dennis Tyzack
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Renee
Gold Member
539 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2009 : 12:13:10 PM
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Hi Dennis
I think it depends on the type of grass sown, but we find it's a bit like Devon in terms of climate so the grass does grow well. The biggest difficulty in Normandy is getting ragwort-free hay as the farmers don't think it's harmful. We have 8 acres of land near Vire that you'd be welcome to cut for hay for free if you wanted, if it's not far from you - we normally let a farmer graze it for cows as we can't get over there to do hay ourselves. It's quite nice semi-improved grassland so it's not quite as rich as pure rye grass. Just get in touch. Are you living there or planning to move? We've had a place there for a few years and have learned the hard way that things are quite complex in France! Would be happy to discuss our experiences!
Renee |
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Miska
Gold Member
United Kingdom
627 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2009 : 2:02:32 PM
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Last week I popped over to my dads place in France (79) and the grass was more advanced than it is here - however the hay I saw looked fine and smelt right. They did have several types of grass, there was a type called Dactal (or something like that) which was planted when there was a drought but supposedly isn't as good for horses as normal stuff...but that might just be in the area my dads in.
Sorry that probably doesn't help you at all :) |
RIP Ettie 2003 - 2010 |
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Gerri
Platinum Member
England
4211 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2009 : 9:42:19 PM
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The hay we give our horses is beautiful, we get it from a local farmer who keeps cows and it has been really good for the horses, its golden and crisp without any rubbish in it and half the price of what a was paying in the uk |
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jaybird
Gold Member
France
1192 Posts |
Posted - 30 Mar 2009 : 08:36:41 AM
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Hi Dennis
We have our own hay cut and it's fantastic, very rich and fine I've just started a new round bale cut last June and it's as green as the day it was cut, also our grazing is very rich, definately no good for those prone to Laminitis or weight gain, I'm in the Perigord Vert part of the Dordogne it's good grass growing land, others are not so lucky so it really depends on where you are.
Beryl |
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aarque
Bronze Member
France
94 Posts |
Posted - 02 Apr 2009 : 10:55:48 AM
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thank you for all your answers to the thread.
RENEE,would be pleases to discuss the matter further with you as you are close to us.
We have had this small farm for about two years,coming out every 2 weeks and for holidays etc.
we would like to learn from your experiences,its always useful.
We hope to be out here permenant early next year,so we thought to get the stables,fencing,etc organised prior to coming out.
Your offer of cutting hay is very nice,do you know a farmer contractor in Vire area?
My email is dennis.tyzack@yahoo.co.uk
kind regards
Dennis Tyzack
P.S Do you know the Breach brothers{fencing contractors}in the Vire
area? |
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Renee
Gold Member
539 Posts |
Posted - 02 Apr 2009 : 11:16:54 PM
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Hi Dennis
I have emailed you. Nightmare hay first year - reputable contractor 900 euros, cut hay, left on field, went on holiday, it rained, grass rotted, got friend to ring up (Belgian - e.g. fluent French), no hope, ended up with loads of rubbish hay and had to pay bill. Last year, left it. This year, got cows on it. Contractors are nightmare, but we have found friend with tractor... contact us via email sent (or if it doesn't work, get my phone number from Maj at Arabian Emporium as she's a mate). We are going over early May for a week, so if you're there would love to see you!
Cheers, Renee |
      
Jeago (Ludomino x Bahia) 1973-2007 & Khylie* (Nazdrowie x Kaminah) 1990-2010 ~ Fouad el Khyl (Lothar el Nyhl x Khylie) 2005- |
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