The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Pasture/grazing/water issues.

2K views 9 replies 4 participants last post by  Crickett 
#1 ·
Hi Folks!
I have one large pasture that is approx. 8 acres. It's too much grass for 2 horses. I just can't safely let them vacuum up grass for 14 hours each day. The grass is thick! Bringing the horses off the grass and onto to the dirt paddocks each day after 4 hours or so isn't always possible since I work.

One thought was to divide the large area into "small" paddocks with temporary fencing. Let them graze down a small area. How small? However, that leads to one other problem. I have no way to get water out to the furthest areas.

Can any of you share tips on how I might tackle this issue. My horses are off grass now and I have the winter to plan this out but I am stumped on how to do this.

Thanks in advance,
Linda
 
#2 ·
It depends what the layout of the 8 acres is, but I would break it up into about four parcels. Make a walking path down the middle, or along one side with gates to each parcel. The walking path always remains open to the horses by having one gate to the pastures open and the other three closed. At the end of the walking path closest to your water supply, place your water trough. Your horses can certainly walk to the water when they want it. I have a walking path for my pastures. It's about 15 feet wide at the widest point. I have just two horses. No reason I couldn't have made the path narrower -- that's just the way it ended up.
 
#3 ·
Thanks for the reply. That makes sense. An aisle on one edge would work! Duh..why didn't I think of that!

2 acres for 2 horses is still too much grass. I think I might have to invest in muzzles. I just can't let them eat all day.
 
#4 ·
2 acres for 2 horses is still too much grass. I think I might have to invest in muzzles. I just can't let them eat all day.
I guess it depends on the horses, but for mine, it's not. don't forget, they will pound down a lot and then you move them to another paddock... and then the next, etc. By the time you get back to the first one, it will likely not be very long yet.

Depending how respectfull your horses are of electric fencing, you could also divide a 2 acre area in half, let them chew done that half, then open it up for the second half. Not any work in one string of electric with a portable fencer.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top