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GHALEEM
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2028 Posts |
 Posted - 12 Aug 2011 : 5:52:33 PM
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Does anyone use this system with their horses? I'm thinking of doing it but want to know about the pros and cons before i go to the trouble of electric fencing a six acre field
Michelle
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Cate
Platinum Member
Scotland
1785 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2011 : 6:44:20 PM
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| Would love to do this. I know Nick of Clover Rose Equestrian has done it and has lots of info on his website. I think he would also give you advice. |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2011 : 6:48:06 PM
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| A lot depends on your ground type as it can mean you need to import a lot of stone, sand or gravel to make areas that will not become poached in the wet. We have made stone yards in most of our fields which means we have dry, hard areas to feed on in the winter, and mobile field shelters. |
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BeckyBoodle
Gold Member
Australia
795 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2011 : 6:55:19 PM
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A friend is just about to do this for her energies. I think it looks fab if you can accommodate the set up. A key driver is the fact that one of the ponies is laminitic and sees it as a way of helping Abbi. Would be interested to hear more if you go for it.
B |
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Pasch
Platinum Member
2277 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2011 : 7:07:06 PM
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Sorry for ignorance:what exactly is paddock paradise? |
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BeckyBoodle
Gold Member
Australia
795 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2011 : 8:24:37 PM
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Probably not a great description, but is about sectioning off or putting a track round your paddock with different terrains so the horse gets to use its feet properly and get used to different surfaces. At the same time it is encouraged to move round and so exercise itself and then there are other bits with a sand rolling area, possibly an area with different herbs growing so the horse can sort of self medicate etc. Obviously you need enough space to do this, and I think you can add strip grazing in of sectioned off areas. Hope that makes sense. I think if you Google it you will find websites about it. My friend has a book I looked through. I love the concept. I assume it is hard work to set up and you need space, but the results seemed very good. I think the principle again comes from watching wild horses and then trying to see how to make our paddocks provide the different terrains and areas they seek out.
B
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Pasch
Platinum Member
2277 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2011 : 8:46:43 PM
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| Oh yes,that's exactly what I will get as soon as I win the Lottery...Mine will have a hill and a small lake for the hot summer days,too... |
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Fee
Platinum Member
2601 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2011 : 8:48:34 PM
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I think I've kinda got this going except the track which I'll look into doing as I need to figure out the best way to graze them to have the largest area with least grass in the summer but still encourage them to move, which this set up certainly does.
I have a large concrete area and have recently laid tons of pebbles in front of it so they have to walk over them to get on to the concrete. They have field shelters with wood pellet bedding and a canopy to keep out the rain but remain outside. I take most of the wet wood pellets bedding and I lay them outside in their latrine areas. They have a composted area which they use for rolling and also some of the drier bedding goes there. They have natural shelter from trees and a good hill in their field.
I'm so glad you brought this up Michelle as I really need to figure out and get my track up and running.
I have to say this year I'm also planning on putting on only no fill rugs and only the worst days too. Then my girls will be really happy!
I'm pretty sure my herd think they're in paradise
Fee
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kimzi
Gold Member
865 Posts |
Posted - 12 Aug 2011 : 10:56:40 PM
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 oops sorry i have accidentally wandered onto the wrong planet |
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Fee
Platinum Member
2601 Posts |
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GHALEEM
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2028 Posts |
Posted - 13 Aug 2011 : 1:56:46 PM
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Sounds like you are most of the way there already Fee.
Unfortunately my fields are rented so i cant put the stone and sand down. I do have a field shelter with a paving slab floor and then an area outside that with chippings.
My boys are fat and are currently in a small paddock bored, bored, bored so i think they are gonna be pleased with the new arrangement. I will probably take the fencing down in the winter and they can eat the bit that i have saved.
Michelle
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Fee
Platinum Member
2601 Posts |
Posted - 14 Aug 2011 : 08:07:34 AM
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My field is leased too. Next thing I want to get is a load of sand. I have a corner that gets really muddy, it'll be great for there and sand is brilliant for keeping their feet filed. They spend a lot of 'hanging out watching the world go by' time in this corner when it's dry, so it's perfect for them and the field to fill it with sand.
I did try to plant a herb corner too, but need to rethink as Inka uprooted everything and ate it all including the roots. Guess I need to section it off for longer. I was just so excited to see what they would do and what they would eat. She's like a pig on truffles
Fee |
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Paddock Paradise
