Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
Hubby was reading that we shouldn't let the horses out on the pasture in winter--it damages the pasture. So I'm not sure what to do--keep them on a sacrifice lot all winter? I was planning the sacrifice pen to be 100 x 200 -- is that big enough for 2 ponies all winter? I don't want to ruin the pasture or let my ponies get sick or fat either V. I would worry about ruining the pasture if you had only a little bit of it. If you have enough of it, two horses won't do all that much damage. Let them run free and repair the damage (if any) in the spring - they will love you for it. Anneliese
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07 8:15 AM, Virginia Tupper [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On 11/1/07, Mic Rushen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I would strip graze it using electric fence (assuming it's grass and weeds not harmful to horses). That way it will take you quite a way through the winter... That sounds good. How do I know when to move the fencing? Would fencing off an acre at a time be OK or would it be too small? V Way too small, in my humble opinion. Let's think sometimes about what the horses would enjoy. Anneliese
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/2/07, Anneliese Virro [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I would worry about ruining the pasture if you had only a little bit of it. If you have enough of it, two horses won't do all that much damage. Let them run free and repair the damage (if any) in the spring - they will love you for it. I think that is what we will end up doing. :D V
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On Fri, 2 Nov 2007 13:26:55 -0500, you wrote: which begs the question--- why do I have one. All I can surmise is that some of you have herds of stepford horses. If there's food around, Kalsi stands completely still with his head down and waves one front foot in the air. Even if everyone else is barging around and getting impatient, he still does the same thing... Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen --- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk --- Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
i said it, you mean you never thought of that! and another consideration, the few times i have people come over and feed for us when we have to be out of town...I dont want them inside my horses paddocks with them to pour feed , other than getting kicked in the head they might leave the gate unlocked when they leave. janice-- yipie tie yie yo
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
I go into my herd of 16 horses with an arm full of hay, and they better approach with manners or they can leave the dinning area! The hay is mine and off limits until I place it in the feeder. They can fight over the food all the want when I'm outta there but they better behave while I'm in there. While I'm coming back with more food I warn the horses with watch out as I approach so they know it's me and don't kick thinking it's another horse approaching. Cheryl Sand Creek Icelandic Sheepdogs Puppies by CH Vesturhlithar Loki available late 2007 Website: www.sandcreekicelandics.com
RE: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
yes I just go down the fence line pouring and they are inside whirling and kicking each other, charging and biting. I have to pour tivars feed first or he will actually hop up and down at the panel gate like the easter bunny while curly ray brays at him and lunges to bite his face and hang on like a bulldog. are my horses the only ones who act like this? Janice-- Well...honestly...? I really don't think I have a hopping Easter bunny horse, Janice! Karen Thomas, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.19/1105 - Release Date: 11/2/2007 11:04 AM
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/2/07, IceDog [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I go into my herd of 16 horses with an arm full of hay, and they better approach with manners or they can leave the dinning area! I only have 2 here but they both know to go to their own bucket and they each have their own spot to get their hay and they have to wait politely until I put it down for them. I imagine it's a lot easier when there are just 2. . I feed them on opposite sides of the run in so they don't wany to leave their food unprotected to go see what the other may have. Luckily Doppa is the slower eater and the dominant one when it comes to food so nobody is finishing and then stealing the other's food. Janice does have a good point about having sitters coming in - the fewer gates they have to open, the less chance there is of them forgetting to close them. -- Laree in NC Doppa Mura Simon, Sadie and Sam (the S gang) When you're young and you fall off a horse, you may break something. When you're my age and you fall off, you splatter - Roy Rogers
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
yes I just go down the fence line pouring and they are inside whirling and kicking each other, charging and biting. I have to pour tivars feed first or he will actually hop up and down at the panel gate like the easter bunny while curly ray brays at him and lunges to bite his face and hang on like a bulldog. are my horses the only ones who act like this? Janice-- yipie tie yie yo
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
I'm gonna get a video. Its just inconceivable to me that you guys horses dont act like hogs at feeding time. Janice -- yipie tie yie yo
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/2/07, Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Well...honestly...? I really don't think I have a hopping Easter bunny horse, Janice! which begs the question--- why do I have one. All I can surmise is that some of you have herds of stepford horses. Janice-- yipie tie yie yo
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
Oh - but mine DO act like starving waifes that haven't been fed in months at feeding time - but they just do it at a polite distance. :-) They all suck their little cheeks and tummies in - to further accentuate their level of malnutrition; they trot and snort and shake their heads; they beg and plead with me to leave just a little bit extra... They are not above eating horse poop when my husband is around, so that he thinks that I starve them, too. But - I can look at them and there is not a visible rib amonst them, all their little tummies are wider than their shoulders and hips, and my friends like pointing out how chubby they are, so I don't believe that they are actually starving. I just don't want to be run over at feeding time, so the stick and string whirls around if they get too close. I don't want a kick aimed at another horse to land on me! Penny [please be sure to delete the previous post from the bottom of your messages. thanks]
RE: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
I'm gonna get a video. Its just inconceivable to me that you guys horses dont act like hogs at feeding time. Janice I didn't say my horses don't act like hogs - only that I don't have a hopping Easter Bunny horse! My guys behave pretty well when we're putting out hay. I walk into pasture with hay all the time. But, that's sort of like bragging that my kid can be patient while I'm spooning out his vegetables :) Hay is nice and all that, but it's not exactly something to get my horses on the defensive about. We don't feed a lot of grain, but I would never go into a pasture with a bucket of grain/pellets to dole out into individual buckets - certainly not with a herd of more than 2-3 horses. I think that's more like expecting a 5-year-old to be perfect while he's waiting for you to light the candles on his birthday cake - it can happen, but would you bank on it!?! I THINK my horses would be adequately behaved in such a cause, but I wouldn't bet on it. It's not a priority for me that they be perfect in such a case. So, when we do feed grain (usually pellets), we either take the horses into individual stalls, put the food into buckets hanging on their side of the fence, or pour the food over the fence into pans on the ground - depending on the herd arrangement at the moment. I've seen your horses, Janice, and I expect your horses are about as well behaved as anyone's when it comes down to it. :) Karen Karen Thomas Wingate, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.18/1104 - Release Date: 11/1/2007 6:47 PM
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On Nov 2, 2007 1:12 PM, Janice McDonald [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: yes I just go down the fence line pouring and they are inside whirling and kicking each other, charging and biting. I have to pour tivars feed first or he will actually hop up and down at the panel gate like the easter bunny while curly ray brays at him and lunges to bite his face and hang on like a bulldog. are my horses the only ones who act like this? I only have 3 and they must be stepford horses:) Honestly, I would be dead from a heart attack if I saw my horses attacking each other. I barely survived the butt kicking the mare and Falki did at each other a few times since his arrival. This ocurred after meal time and even then I'm running around checking legs and making sure they can move okay. As a worry wart, I'd never survive feeding time at your place. I yell at them if they pin their ears at each other and get upset when I see a patch of hair missing or cut short by someone's teeth. -- Anna Southern Ohio
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
I would strip graze it using electric fence (assuming it's grass and weeds not harmful to horses). That way it will take you quite a way through the winter... Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen --- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk --- Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 10/31/07, Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: What we do to minimize the mud is to put down loads of pit gravel in the most heavily used areas - near the gates, around the water troughs and over their main traffic areas. The problem at first, of course, is that you won't know where the traffic areas are. I was reading that 'pea' gravel is good -- that must be a similar type of gravel to the 'pit'. Even if I don't know the most travelled areas I could assume near gates, the run-in and where I feed and water and work from there. V
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 10/31/07, Nancy Sturm [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I asked my sometimes farmer husband and he said he'd ask the folks who live around you, remembering (I suspect) how very helpful our farmer neighbors were when we moved here. The neighbours don't have any animals but I did see some horse fencing a few miles away, I'll have to introduce myself. V
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 10/31/07, Wanda Lauscher [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Virginia, will the horses be on it this winter? If so, by the time they are on it, the nutritional value will be gone and it will make for excellent foraging. Hubby was reading that we shouldn't let the horses out on the pasture in winter--it damages the pasture. So I'm not sure what to do--keep them on a sacrifice lot all winter? I was planning the sacrifice pen to be 100 x 200 -- is that big enough for 2 ponies all winter? I don't want to ruin the pasture or let my ponies get sick or fat either V.
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, Mic Rushen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I would strip graze it using electric fence (assuming it's grass and weeds not harmful to horses). That way it will take you quite a way through the winter... That sounds good. How do I know when to move the fencing? Would fencing off an acre at a time be OK or would it be too small? V
RE: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
Hubby was reading that we shouldn't let the horses out on the pasture in winter--it damages the pasture. So I'm not sure what to do-keep them on a sacrifice lot all winter? It WILL damage the pasture...but then, I've consciously worked to get my pastures to a prime state of damage. :) Prime pastures are generally too much for horses, especially easy-keeping ponies. After 20 years, Virginia, I still vacillate about pasture management, but I have come to realize that I don't want the lush pastures that most animal husbandry books would have you believe that you need.Good pastures cost more to maintain, and cause more health problems than poor pastures.Of course, the downside to poor pastures is the inevitable mud. Welcome to my world, where nothing is ever easy, and I always doubt my choices!And, of course, two ponies aren't a lot of foot traffic - they won't damage an area like, for instance, twice that many big horses. You can probably try a compromise management program to begin with. If I were you, I'd use the pastures some, but not enough for the horses to get hugely fat, or to wear out any one smaller area. You could, for instance, keep them in your sacrifice lot during the muddiest periods, or for part of the day every day, only letting them out to romp for a couple of hours per day, or on the nicer days. I don't know if you've ever noticed how many cross-fences show up in my pictures. We're always adding cross-fences with gates - look for flexible options, where you can open up or close areas easily, depending on the grass and the weather. A paddock of 100x200 is only about 1/2 acre. That's probably ok if you will also be turning them out for periods about every day, but if I were going to keep them on it all winter, I'd want at least twice that much room for two I think. It's not like you don't have the acreage! Karen Thomas, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.15/1101 - Release Date: 10/31/2007 10:06 AM
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On Thu, 1 Nov 2007 09:15:44 -0300, you wrote: That sounds good. How do I know when to move the fencing? Would fencing off an acre at a time be OK or would it be too small? If it was me, I would fence off about quarter of an acre, then once that is eaten down thoroughly, move the strip fence about a metre per day all the way along the longest side, so the horses always have fresh clean grass to eat. If they don't eat it right down, you're giving them too much - if they are sucking the roots an hour after you've moved it, it's not enough! ; ) Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen --- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk --- Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On Thu, 1 Nov 2007 08:30:16 -0400, you wrote: the lush pastures that most animal husbandry books would have you believe that you need. Most animal husbandry books cater for the dairy or meat industry where you want the animal to get lots of goodness to make meat or milk. With our short-fat--and-hairies the only thing you'll get from that is fat! Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen --- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk --- Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes
RE: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
That sounds good. How do I know when to move the fencing? Would fencing off an acre at a time be OK or would it be too small? We rarely move fences - we move horses instead. We put up good, solid perimeter fence, and cross-fence off smaller areas. The cross-fenced areas have gates, so that we can constantly re-arrange the herds for grazing, etc. But, once we put up the cross-fences, they usually stay up. With as much land as you have, I'd think a couple of one-acre paddocks would be nice to have, or maybe a half-acre and a full acre adjoining that could be opened together, or closed as you see fit. A couple of my paddocks are even smaller, but I don't keep many horses in those areas, certainly not for extended periods. We have a couple of 1/4 acre paddocks, two at 1 acre, one at 1.5 acres, and the remainder of our pastures are in 3-8 acre areas, which can be opened and combined as we see fit. (We also have tiny 15 feet x 30 feet paddocks attached to each of three stalls, but those are for emergency type use only, for temporary convenience, or for visitors. I really just consider those as stall-extensions, not really what we're talking about here.) This wasn't exactly a long-range plan or anything though - it's just what has evolved over the years and works pretty well for us. Karen Thomas, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.15/1101 - Release Date: 10/31/2007 10:06 AM
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
Stable-grid also works really well at the gates and under water tanks. It's a plastic grid usually used for stall flooring. We dug a little under the gates and a few feet out on each side, put the stable grid down and then put gravel over it. It holds the gravel in place and drains well. www.stable-grid.com Cherie North Carolina Lilja, Tyra, and Roka
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: A paddock of 100x200 is only about 1/2 acre. That's probably ok if you will also be turning them out for periods about every day, but if I were going to keep them on it all winter, I'd want at least twice that much room for two I think. It's not like you don't have the acreage! We were thinking to have a 100 x 200 sacrifice paddock with a run-in shed and that's where we would keep the horses most of the time, feed them, etc and there would be a gate opening to a larger pasture where we would let them loose part of the day, depending on weather. The 100 x 200 would be fenced with a wood fence -- 6 x 6 posts 8 ft apart with 3 - 2 x 6 rails. The larger pasture would be electric. Does this sound OK? V
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, Mic Rushen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If it was me, I would fence off about quarter of an acre, then once that is eaten down thoroughly, move the strip fence about a metre per day all the way along the longest side, How do you move fence posts in winter? V
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
If you want to use strip grazing, take a look at www.graziersystem.com they have the sturdiest portable fencing. I got the 50 foot round pen size and we used it to contain two horses when we first moved to NC so they could aclimmate to the grass. You can train in it (without the electric on) and I've used it as a single electric fence to portion off parts of fields. Cherie
RE: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
We were thinking to have a 100 x 200 sacrifice paddock with a run-in shed and that's where we would keep the horses most of the time, feed them, etc and there would be a gate opening to a larger pasture where we would let them loose part of the day, depending on weather The 100 x 200 would be fenced with a wood fence -- 6 x 6 posts 8 ft apart with 3 - 2 x 6 rails. The larger pasture would be electric. Does this sound OK? It sounds great to me. I'm not sure what the tradition is in Canada, but here's a tidbit: standard 8-foot boards you buy at the lumber stores are almost always something like 7-feet, 10 inches. (I think - less than 8 feet anyway.) We spaced our board fences about 7.5-feet to be sure we could always buy stock lumber for quick repairs, without having to buy 12-foot boards. We also found that 2x8 boards are not much more expensive than 2x6's, and are a good bit sturdier. You might want to check the costs in your area. We used treated boards, the type one might use for outdoor projects like decks. They will eventually dry and crack (some of ours are almost 20 years old) but they won't rot. Honestly though, as nice as the board fence looks, I really like the horse wire with a 2x8 sight-board better than the pure board fence - safer and less maintenance! Board fence is nice though. Karen Thomas, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.15/1101 - Release Date: 10/31/2007 10:06 AM
RE: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
How do you move fence posts in winter? V The more relevant question around here would be: how do you get your husband to move ANY fence?! :) Mine's pretty good at putting up fence, but he's not much on moving one after it's up! I can move the step-in posts myself, but anything else and I need his help. I'd bet the step-in's might not work so well for you, since your ground without doubt freezes more deeply than ours does, but I could be wrong. Even when I use the step-in posts, I use something stronger for the corners - they aren't the sturdiest posts as you can imagine! Still, I think we (Cherie, Mic and I) are basically on the same page, and pretty much agree with what you're planning to do. The details will vary somewhat regionally, depending on factors like how rocky is your soil, how rich your grass, how deep does your ground freeze, how much ice/mud do you get, and how many horses on any given area. Unfortunately, I think you'll have to figure out the details on your own. I'm hoping to have the details of our management perfectly worked out in maybe another 20 years :) Karen Thomas, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.15/1101 - Release Date: 10/31/2007 10:06 AM
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On Thu, 1 Nov 2007 09:52:56 -0300, you wrote: How do you move fence posts in winter? Electric fence posts? The plastic variety with metal points, designed to be portable? Maybe you don't get them there? Or does your ground freeze rock solid all day for days on end? Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen --- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk --- Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I'm not sure what the tradition is in Canada, but here's a tidbit: standard 8-foot boards you buy at the lumber stores are almost always something like 7-feet, 10 inches. (I think - less than 8 feet anyway.) We spaced our board fences about 7.5-feet to be sure we could always buy stock lumber for quick repairs, without having to buy 12-foot boards. I told this to my husband and he said that he knew about it so I'm sure he'll take that in to consideration. V
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, Mic Rushen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Electric fence posts? The plastic variety with metal points, designed to be portable? Maybe you don't get them there? Or does your ground freeze rock solid all day for days on end? We probably can get them here--I've never worked with fencing before (city girl) so everything is new to me. V
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
them on a sacrifice lot all winter? I was planning the sacrifice pen to be 100 x 200 -- is that big enough for 2 ponies all winter? I don't want to ruin the pasture or let my ponies get sick or fat either V - I have 2 ponies on 2 acres and they have eaten it down to nothing (though I didn't have the greatest grass established to begin with) I have 2 other 1/2 acre areas that I turn them into for an hour or so a day to get something green to munch on. In our area the general rule is that you need 2 acres/horse of you want to keep your pasture green. I wouldn't call this ideal but it's what I have to work with and it makes it easy to control the horses weight. I'm with Karen - a lush green pasture is beautiful but it can be deadly to our ponies. The thing that baffles me is that I know horses (icelandics included) that are kept 24/7 on a pretty lush pasture and seem to do fine - a little plump but not dangerously so. In fact, that is how Doppa was kept the 2 years before she came to me. It was that farm owners contention that if they are kept that way all the time that they will regulate themselves - it seemed to work for him. -- Laree in NC Doppa Mura Simon, Sadie and Sam (the S gang) When you're young and you fall off a horse, you may break something. When you're my age and you fall off, you splatter - Roy Rogers
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
I don't think we have those here--I've looked on our government websites and couldn't find any listings. V V - The folks at your local Feed and Seed can really be helpful - just make sure they are familiar with horses and not just cows. I have gotten a lot of useful help that way -- Laree in NC Doppa Mura Simon, Sadie and Sam (the S gang) When you're young and you fall off a horse, you may break something. When you're my age and you fall off, you splatter - Roy Rogers
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, Laree Shulman [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In fact, that is how Doppa was kept the 2 years before she came to me. It was that farm owners contention that if they are kept that way all the time that they will regulate themselves - it seemed to work for him. The pastures at Maple Leaf Icelandic Horse Farm were lush and I saw the horses there more than in the sacrifice pensI don't think I want my chubby Gat in lush fields though. V
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, Laree Shulman [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The folks at your local Feed and Seed can really be helpful - just make sure they are familiar with horses and not just cows. I have gotten a lot of useful help that way Thank you--I'll check that out. V
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
Honestly though, as nice as the board fence looks, I really like the horse wire with a 2x8 sight-board better than the pure board fence - safer and less maintenance! Of all the horse fencing I have seen and been around in different farms, I think ends up being the most practical, safest, most predator proof and long lasting. If I weren't in the neighborhood situation I am in, it definitely would have been the way I would have gone. -- Laree in NC Doppa Mura Simon, Sadie and Sam (the S gang) When you're young and you fall off a horse, you may break something. When you're my age and you fall off, you splatter - Roy Rogers
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, Mic Rushen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Thu, 1 Nov 2007 09:15:44 -0300, you wrote: If it was me, I would fence off about quarter of an acre, then once that is eaten down thoroughly, move the strip fence about a metre per day all the way along the longest side, so the horses always have fresh clean grass to eat. If they don't eat it right down, you're giving them too much - if they are sucking the roots an hour after you've moved it, it's not enough! ; ) Thanks! V
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, Cherie Mascis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: www.stable-grid.com Thank you for the link--I'll keep that for reference. Looks like it works really well. V
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, Cherie Mascis [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If you want to use strip grazing, take a look at www.graziersystem.com they have the sturdiest portable fencing. That looks handy! Thanks for the link. V
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?/large pastures
I've had several conversations about pasturing the ponies with the other girl I know who bought an Icelandic from Niels West. All his Icelandics were on beautiful large rolling grass-covered hills. Here in Southern Oregon, their Lina had to be pulled off grass several times this summer because she was really blimping up. Our two mares are on what is essentially a dry lot. We both wonder how the horses could maintain a healthy weight at the breeder's and not here. Maybe it's true that if grass is all they ever experience, they only eat what they need. It would scare me, however. Nancy
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, Laree Shulman [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Unfortunately, I think you'll have to figure out the details on your own. I'm hoping to have the details of our management perfectly worked out in maybe another 20 years : There's just no way you can get around the trial and error and fix mistakes part of it. You can avoid a lot of mistakes by good planning but every situation is different and you will be sharing what you could have done better in the future with the next person. -- Yeah, I expect that--ithis will be a great learning experience. I'm just so glad to have such great feedback from this list. It's one thing to read in books, but to have personal experiences back up things I've read is just great. I'm happy to know that I can bounce things off everyone here. V
RE: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
I think it's nice looking. Is it expensive? V It's in the same ballpark with board fence when you pay someone to put it up. (Cary has installed all of ours after we paid for the initial fencing.) Back about 1988, I seem to remember that the horse wire with a sight board was about the same as three-board fence, but less than four-board fence. I have no idea if that's still true. Karen Thomas, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.17/1103 - Release Date: 11/1/2007 6:01 AM
RE: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
The thing that baffles me is that I know horses (icelandics included) that are kept 24/7 on a pretty lush pasture and seem to do fine - a little plump but not dangerously so. In fact, that is how Doppa was kept the 2 years before she came to me. It was that farm owners contention that if they are kept that way all the time that they will regulate themselves - it seemed to work for him. There might be a morsel of truth in the self-regulation theory, but I wouldn't bank on it. I simply think some horses don't have the genetic tendencies to Insulin resistance/Cushings/whatever metabolic disorder. I think it's likely that most fat horses are in some danger, but how would these people explain how one fat horse in a herd might founder, while another equally fat one doesn't...on exactly the same pasture?I also think that age is a factor. We do hear of young horses having laminitis, but the frequency climbs with age - Holly was 9 or 10 when she had her first bout, and that was pretty young. (I've heard of some being much younger, but most seem to be at least that old, or older.) Mac, however, was at least as fat as Holly during those years, and he never had a problem, and he was two years older. We had them both for about 7-8 years, on some of the lushest grass we've ever had, before we had our first instance. I could easily have deduced that TWH never founder on rich grass during those first years, but it wouldn't have been correct. So, instead of the self-regulation, I'd betcha some of those people just haven't had their lucky-clocks run out yet! When I first got Icelandic's, I often heard that they never founder (yes, it's in the archives, for that person who is bound to say never happened - sigh) but I've heard of many cases since. I think part of the deal is that either it was ignored, or people who had horses who suffered were shamed into silence, for not riding their fat horses enough. I read that admonition several times to the first few people who admitted their horses had laminitis. We've had three past instance of laminitis in our herd, and I'm praying we'll never have another...but I also know that my herd is aging...and I know that even thin horses can get laminitis... Karen Thomas, NC, No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.17/1103 - Release Date: 11/1/2007 6:01 AM
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, Virginia Tupper [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On 11/1/07, Laree Shulman [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I think ends up being the most practical, safest, most predator proof and long lasting. I think it's nice looking. Is it expensive? V More so than electric but in this area, cheaper than all board - just be dure you are looking at Horse wire, not just plain 2X4 welded wire. The Diamond mesh is my favorite but probably the most expensive. You can google wire mesh horse fencing and see lots of pics and ides. http://www.diamondmesh.com.au/ Laree in NC Doppa Mura Simon, Sadie and Sam (the S gang) When you're young and you fall off a horse, you may break something. When you're my age and you fall off, you splatter - Roy Rogers
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?/large pastures
On Thu, 1 Nov 2007 06:29:30 -0800, you wrote: Maybe it's true that if grass is all they ever experience, they only eat what they need. It would scare me, however. Our youngsters and brood mares all have large (for the UK!) areas of grass, moor and heathland to range in, and ad-lib haylage in the winter. They are well-covered but not fat. BUT!!! this is pasture that has never been improved, never had fertiliser near it, which is full of herbs, wildflowers and weeds as well as grass. They lose some weight in the winter (they do not get any grain, though they have salt and mineral licks). I only once had an Icelandic that had been allowed free range on proper pasture (40 acres of dairy cow pasture). She was actually NOT that fat - but she had had recurring chronic laminitis for 5 years (her owner could not understand why she was so often lame and thought she had damaged her shoulder, or had a back problem, or something she was one of our first rescue horses, 20 years ago). Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen --- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk --- Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes
RE: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
More so than electric but in this area, cheaper than all board - just be dure you are looking at Horse wire, not just plain 2X4 welded wire. The Diamond mesh is my favorite but probably the most expensive. You can google wire mesh horse fencing and see lots of pics and ides. Yep, the cheaper 2x4 welded wire is fine for dog pens, fenced yards, etc, but will pop WAY too easily with much stress (like with a horse kick, or a horse leaning) and it can leave nasty, jagged edges that are very dangerous. Karen Thomas, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.17/1103 - Release Date: 11/1/2007 6:01 AM
RE: [IceHorses] Should I mow?/large pastures
I only once had an Icelandic that had been allowed free range on proper pasture (40 acres of dairy cow pasture). She was actually NOT that fat - but she had had recurring chronic laminitis for 5 years (her owner could not understand why she was so often lame and thought she had damaged her shoulder, or had a back problem, or something she was one of our first rescue horses, 20 years ago). Yes, the fatness of a horse can be a good clue, a good warning sign, but it's certainly not fool proof. Many older horses who founder from Cushing's are actually pretty thin - my farrier estimated that maybe 25-35% of the founder cases he works on are with very thin horses. The majority may be overweight, but certainly a notable percentage aren't. I'm convinced that the root causes of these situations is internal to the horse, and sadly we can't always see the risk factors before it's too latespeaking from experience, I'm afraid. Karen Thomas, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.17/1103 - Release Date: 11/1/2007 6:01 AM IceHorses Community for Photos and Videos: http://kickapps.com/icehorses The greatest enemy of the truth very often is not the lie- deliberate, contrived and dishonest -- but the myth -- persistent, persuasive and unrealistic. All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. ~ Arthur Schopenhauer [] Lee Ziegler http://leeziegler.com [] Liz Graves http://lizgraves.com [] Lee's Book Easy Gaited Horses http://tinyurl.com/7vyjo [] IceHorses Map http://www.frappr.com/IceHorses Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IceHorses/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IceHorses/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, Laree Shulman [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: More so than electric but in this area, cheaper than all board - just be dure you are looking at Horse wire, not just plain 2X4 welded wire. The Diamond mesh is my favorite but probably the most expensive. You can google wire mesh horse fencing and see lots of pics and ides. http://www.diamondmesh.com.au/ Our local Co-Op feed store has an ad for the horse fencing--I'll call them. V
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
Unfortunately, I think you'll have to figure out the details on your own. I'm hoping to have the details of our management perfectly worked out in maybe another 20 years : V - There's just no way you can get around the trial and error and fix mistakes part of it. You can avoid a lot of mistakes by good planning but every situation is different and you will be sharing what you could have done better in the future with the next person. -- Laree in NC Doppa Mura Simon, Sadie and Sam (the S gang) When you're young and you fall off a horse, you may break something. When you're my age and you fall off, you splatter - Roy Rogers
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, Laree Shulman [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I think ends up being the most practical, safest, most predator proof and long lasting. I think it's nice looking. Is it expensive? V
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?/large pastures
Yes. I think Lina is 5, Tosca 4 and Yrsa 3, but the question for us has been how he could manage an entire herd (I think 30 or so) on open pasture and not have trouble managing weight. There was every age there from foals to mares and one gelding in their teens. All appeared to be carrying a normal weight. They had, by the way, no shelters either. There was a sturdy barn with stalls, but horses were only brought in if they needed some kind of special handilng. Nancy
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?/large pastures
On Thu, 1 Nov 2007 10:50:29 -0400, you wrote: Many older horses who founder from Cushing's In the UK, there's a real difference between laminitis and founder - is it the same in the USA, or do you use the terms interchangeably? Here, founder is a specific term only used when refering to a horse which has sudden, acute laminitis resulting in rather severe pedal bone rotation (often as a result of getting onto lush pasture or breaking into the feed shed), while laminitis is a more cover-all term used for the chronic or the acute condition. In my experience, the vast majority of laminitic ponies over here have originally got laminitis through being overweight. And mostly, they got to be fat in the first place by the usual route - too much food, not enough exercise. Sigh. I know that one (or maybe I have Cushings??? ; )) Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen --- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk --- Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes
RE: [IceHorses] Should I mow?/large pastures
Yes. I think Lina is 5, Tosca 4 and Yrsa 3, but the question for us has been how he could manage an entire herd (I think 30 or so) on open pasture and not have trouble managing weight. I've never seen a herd of free grazing Icelandic's that didn't have some serious weight problems in the mature horses...if you look closely enough. In fact, it's hard to find a herd of restricted-grazing Icelandics where at least a few have weight problems. Sometimes the fur and manes hide a lot. And of course, there are a few lines that just don't seem to have the tendencies to obesity - Trausti and Eitill stay reasonably slim, and even have to be supplemented sometimes when some others of ours are fat. We've joked that about the only thing left to do for Sina is to stop worming her... Karen Thomas, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.17/1103 - Release Date: 11/1/2007 6:01 AM
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
Hi Virginia, The new place is going to be so fun for you! Personally I wouldn't mow the pasture. Curious how big is it? I doubt two horses will do any noticeable damage to it. You're likely to only see damage near the gate where they'll exuberantly peel-out throwing a bit of dirt and sod. Once your ground is frozen for the winter they won't do any damage to the ground, likely not even right at the gate. I am guessing you won't be able to move even steel tip electric fence poles once the ground is frozen (unless it's really not all that cold where you'll be). I know it is rare here that we can move a pole after the real freeze hits. The members from the south don't seem to have a grasp of just what real frozen ground is! ;o) Your horses will enjoy the chew-time they'll get out on the pasture and it will help keep them from chewing on your board fence, shelter, etc. The roughage they'll get eating the dead grasses will also produce a lot of heat that will keep them warm over the winter. No matter what the weather is they will be happy to go out on the pasture every day! :o) I would only keep them in during very rare dangerously low temperatures. Cheryl Sand Creek Icelandics Icelandic Horses Icelandic Sheepdogs website: www.toltallyice.com PS Where? :o)
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?/large pastures
On Thu, 1 Nov 2007 11:01:05 -0400, you wrote: I've never seen a herd of free grazing Icelandic's that didn't have some serious weight problems in the mature horses... In our lot, only youngsters, brood mares and oldies get free grazing. The riding horses (or ones of that sort of age, mares who are not in foal etc) are restricted, especially in the spring. I was looking at one of the fields today. Four horses, total years between them 111 ! Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen --- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk --- Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?/large pastures
I was looking at one of the fields today. Four horses, total years between them 111 ! I have a herd here that between the 4 have 104 years! They get pretty much unrestricted grazing. Three of them (mares) come in when the boys go out. The gelding can go out with the boys and chooses to about 1/2 the time. Cheryl Sand Creek Icelandics Icelandic Horses Icelandic Sheepdogs website: www.toltallyice.com
RE: [IceHorses] Should I mow?/large pastures
In the UK, there's a real difference between laminitis and founder - is it the same in the USA, or do you use the terms interchangeably? They are different, but related terms. Laminitis is the root disease, actually a symptom of something else being awry, where the lamina become inflamed. Founder is actually the rotation of the coffin bone, which doesn't ALWAYS occur after laminitis, but often (usually?) does. The two terms are often used interchangeably in the common vernacular though, and that doesn't bother me. while laminitis is a more cover-all term used for the chronic or the acute condition. I think the suffix itis refers to inflammation, doesn't it? In my experience, the vast majority of laminitic ponies over here have originally got laminitis through being overweight. And mostly, they got to be fat in the first place by the usual route - too much food, not enough exercise. No, that's not exactly what research is showing. The fact that the horses were overweight was probably not literally the cause of the laminitis. Both the overweight condition AND the resulting laminitis stem from the same metabolic condition - research is just now getting into unraveling all these root causes, so I suspect that today's theories will continue to be refined for many years. If it were just the overweight and lack of exercise, many more horses would founder than do, even in the same herds. Think of it like diabetes. Some people simply won't get diabetes no matter what...but if someone has the tendency towards it, they can certainly prolong its onset, possibly even permanently, with diet and exercise. However, we also know some relatively thin people who are diabetics. My dad was only a few pounds overweight when he was diagnosed with Type II diabetes when he was 47 years old. He was one of the most physically fit and active people I've ever known, but he still came down with diabetes. I'm convinced it was just going to happen to him. He was, however, able to control it with just diet and exercise for about 20 years, but after that, he had to go on insulin. Karen Thomas, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.17/1103 - Release Date: 11/1/2007 6:01 AM IceHorses Community for Photos and Videos: http://kickapps.com/icehorses The greatest enemy of the truth very often is not the lie- deliberate, contrived and dishonest -- but the myth -- persistent, persuasive and unrealistic. All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. ~ Arthur Schopenhauer [] Lee Ziegler http://leeziegler.com [] Liz Graves http://lizgraves.com [] Lee's Book Easy Gaited Horses http://tinyurl.com/7vyjo [] IceHorses Map http://www.frappr.com/IceHorses Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IceHorses/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IceHorses/join (Yahoo! ID required) * To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?/large pastures
In the UK, there's a real difference between laminitis and founder - is it the same in the USA, or do you use the terms interchangeably? Technically, yes there is a difference in the terms here too. But they are often used interchangeably, especially by laymen. Cheryl Sand Creek Icelandics Icelandic Horses Icelandic Sheepdogs website: www.toltallyice.com
RE: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
The members from the south don't seem to have a grasp of just what real frozen ground is! ;o) Cheryl, it was Mic from Wales that mentioned moving the posts...but maybe she's from the south of Wales...? :) I don't really care - all any of us can do is share OUR experiences, and I'm sure that is good advice from Mic, based on where she lives. In fact, I mentioned Virginia not being able to move the posts as a possibility, so I'm not sure who it was from the south you'd be referring to. Karen Thomas, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.17/1103 - Release Date: 11/1/2007 6:01 AM
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
The members from the south don't seem to have a grasp of just what real frozen ground is! ;o) You're right Cheryl and that's why it's good for V to hear from folks like you that deal with the much colder temps. We couldn't dig fence posts this summer with a tractor auger becasue the ground was too hard from the drought. That's why it's also good to talk to folks in your area because they've been there. I wouldn't be afraid to go up and knock on a door and ask questions. I did it here and ended up with some nice friends as a result. Once they realize you're not selling anything, they are usually anxious to help. -- Laree in NC Doppa Mura Simon, Sadie and Sam (the S gang) When you're young and you fall off a horse, you may break something. When you're my age and you fall off, you splatter - Roy Rogers
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
self regulating? Well, if nasi will eat mentholated kitty litter without self regulation janice-- yipie tie yie yo
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
not putting up fence alleyways or corridors to move from one field to the other I LOVE my alley way connecting my four paddocks to the winter pasture. Someone told me I should take it out it was a waste of room. No way! The paddocks all open into the alley which also gives a backup enclosure in case a gate gets incorrectly closed, etc. Once I came home from a trip to see the farm sitter couldn't figure out how to latch the gate so had just wrapped the chain around the post! #@!! I had extra clasps on the end of chains, lead ropes she could have used to tied the gate shut, etc. Needless to say I was thankful my alley was there. Still I hate to leave my horses in the care of others! Cheryl Sand Creek Icelandics Icelandic Horses Icelandic Sheepdogs website: www.toltallyice.com
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
Saint Philippe, New Brunswick, Canada (about 10-15 minutes from Moncton) Looks wonderful! You're further north than I am, but the temps off the water may moderate the temperature some. How FUN!! Cheryl Sand Creek Icelandics Icelandic Horses Icelandic Sheepdogs website: www.toltallyice.com
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?/large pastures
... stop worming her ... that's almost as bad about our joking about leaving the blankets off the fat horses so that they would expend more energy keeping warm. Wonder if that would work for me. Nancy
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, Laree Shulman [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The members from the south don't seem to have a grasp of just what real frozen ground is! ;o) haha, like you lightweights up north dont know what REAL bugs are Janice :) -- yipie tie yie yo
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, IceDog [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Needless to say I was thankful my alley was there. Still I hate to leave my horses in the care of others! Cheryl me too! you can explain to someone til you are blue in the face but until they've almost lost a beloved pet and had a humoungous vet bill over something as stupid as not making sure the gate is secure Janice -- yipie tie yie yo
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, Janice McDonald [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: haha, like you lightweights up north dont know what REAL bugs are Janice :) and I NEVER want to know what REAL bugs are LOL V
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, Janice McDonald [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: having gates and alleyways so you can close them off and move the tractor or other vehicles in and out and not have to worry about horses getting out. That is good to know--I never would've thought of it. I also caught nasi eating cat LITTER once.?? he had just busted the bag open and was standing there with those little menthol clay jibbles (refreshed with every step! all over his muzzle and whiskers. Like Me? Who me?? I would never get into the cat litter... OMG! If you are on well water, it should have been in your contract to buy that a water test be performed but if it wasnt its usually no more than fifty bucks or so. have it tested for heavy metals, pesticides, and herbicides, and minerals. Yes, we had our water tested and it's good. Our future barn is quite a bit away from the house. Do you think it would be more economical to run pipes or drill a new well at the barn? vaccinate for rabies if you havent already. Done. Have West Nile too. Plus a bunch of other ones--maybe some I won't need once they're out of a boarding barn? make sure you have your system of feeding them where you dont have to go in with them. Just pour over the fence or whatever. Why? V
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
haha, like you lightweights up north dont know what REAL bugs are Janice :) For sure!! LOL I was in Orlando once walking alone. I knew no one was around when I started down the side walk. Yet I started hearing footsteps very close behind me. I was little nervous wondering where this person had appeared from. I picked up the pace then got the courage up to look behind me.. It was a BUG! A bug BIG enough to have audible footsteps! Cheryl Sand Creek Icelandics Icelandic Horses Icelandic Sheepdogs website: www.toltallyice.com
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
This photo may give you an idea of the area I want to fence for pasture. It is wonderful Virginia! I wouldn't mow it. The horses will appreciate the winter browse. Cheryl Sand Creek Icelandics Icelandic Horses Icelandic Sheepdogs website: www.toltallyice.com
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, IceDog [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This photo may give you an idea of the area I want to fence for pasture. It is wonderful Virginia! I wouldn't mow it. The horses will appreciate the winter browse. Thanks. I'll send photos again once we have the horses home. V
RE: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
Done. Have West Nile too. Plus a bunch of other ones--maybe some I won't need once they're out of a boarding barn? West Nile, EEE, WEE, VEE are insect-borne illnesses, so they are needed if you're in a risky area, even if you keep your horses at home. Rabies - always vaccinate. It's just not worth the risk - to you humans, or to the horses. It's the safest vaccine ever developed, and the alternative is death. It's transmitted by wild animals who are infected, not by other horses, so its need is not based on whether they are boarded or kept at home. Some of the others like flu, rhino, PHF, strangles are more debatable, so talk to your vet and discuss the risks in your area. Karen Karen Thomas Wingate, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.16/1102 - Release Date: 10/31/2007 4:38 PM
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Some of the others like flu, rhino, PHF, strangles are more debatable, so talk to your vet and discuss the risks in your area. Yep, those were the ones I was going to check on. V
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On Thu, 1 Nov 2007 10:32:57 -0500, you wrote: haha, like you lightweights up north dont know what REAL bugs are And you pansies in Florida don't know what REAL mud and rain is!!! ; ) Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen --- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk --- Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
We need to have a competition. Southern Oregon doesn't do bugs or snow, but we could sure be competitive in the mud division. If I were going to make book, I'd bet on Janice for bugs and Wanda for snow. Nancy
RE: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
Southern Oregon doesn't do bugs or snow, but we could sure be competitive in the mud division. If I were going to make book, I'd bet on Janice for bugs and Wanda for snow. I'd bet on those two in those categories too. Now...for the mud category...are we talking year-round or seasonal...? We don't have year-round mud, but oh, man, when we do have it...! Red clay makes really sticky, gooey mud! Karen Karen Thomas Wingate, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.16/1102 - Release Date: 10/31/2007 4:38 PM
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 01/11/2007, Nancy Sturm [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If I were going to make book, I'd bet on Janice for bugs and Wanda for snow. Nancy Not so much snow, but cold yes... Wanda
RE: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
Not so much snow, but cold yes... Wanda, I think you have so much snow that you just have stopped seeing it! Karen Karen Thomas Wingate, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.16/1102 - Release Date: 10/31/2007 4:38 PM
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, Mic Rushen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Thu, 1 Nov 2007 10:32:57 -0500, you wrote: haha, like you lightweights up north dont know what REAL bugs are And you pansies in Florida don't know what REAL mud and rain is!!! ; ) Mic maybe mud, but rain? we know rain. except we are in a drought! Janice yipie tie yie yo
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 01/11/2007, Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Wanda, I think you have so much snow that you just have stopped seeing it! We DID have a lot of snow last yearthus the reason we bought a snow blower for the little tractor.. However, we don't get the dumps like I sometimes see Boston or New York getor even Virginia in New Brunswick or Newfoundland - they get some heavy snows. But I don't think it stays. I think it melts. When we get snow...it's there for the duration. Wanda
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
Wanda, I think you have so much snow that you just have stopped seeing it! Wanda, you need to go find that picture you posted last year when I was so amazed and posted that picture of our frozen water trough and you posted a pic of YOUR frozen water trough and it was like six foot frozen waves or something. it looked like the bering sea. Janice -- yipie tie yie yo
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
maybe mud, but rain? we know rain. except we are in a drought! Janice yipie tie yie yo Isn't it great that we all have our little version of heaven :-)) -- Laree in NC Doppa Mura Simon, Sadie and Sam (the S gang) When you're young and you fall off a horse, you may break something. When you're my age and you fall off, you splatter - Roy Rogers
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
No - only seasonal mud here. If you have red clay, then you may win. Ours will suck off a rubber boot, though. Nancy
RE: [IceHorses] Should I mow?/large pastures
We have 50 acres more or less fenced for 7-8 horses (2 Belgians, 2-3 Icelandics, 1 Paint, 1 Paso Fino, 1 Fjord). There's a small barn/run-in surrounded by a circular horse wire fence, it's about an acre (we call it the hub). At the opposite end of the circle (inside) and downhill from the barn is a spring fed stock tank. Around the stock tank and up top next to the barn where the hay basket feeders are, we've placed crusher run rock . As I mentioned before, we have Stable-grid under the gates and as the barn/stall flooring. On either side of the hub are 20+ acre, very hilly pastures with gates into the hub. We let them run in one section for about 1-3 months then switch them to the other side. About 1/2 of the area is pasture (fescue, orchard grass, clover), not irrigated or maintained other that mowing some of the more noxious weeds before they go to seed. The other part is rock, and steep, brushy, woods. They just graze April-May through Sept. or October when the pasture quits growing. After that they get close to free feed hay and graze the dried grasses, except during the occasional times we have snow. The Paso Fino is the only one who's had trouble (one bout of laminitis). She wears a grazing muzzle almost full-time in the Spring and Fall, and nights the rest of the time but still benefits from exercise with the herd. My Fjord got chunky this year and will probably wear a muzzle 1/2 day Spring through Fall, although I'll be riding her next year and the additional exercise will help. Cherie Western North Carolina Lilja, Roka (Icelandics)and Tyra (Fjord)
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?/large pastures
On either side of the hub are 20+ acre, very hilly pastures with gates into the hub. We let them run in one section for about 1-3 months then switch them to the other side. I know a couple of people that use the hub set up and it is very functional - a really nice set up if you can do it with your land. It gives you several options and a lot of ease of handlingl. -- Laree in NC Doppa Mura Simon, Sadie and Sam (the S gang) When you're young and you fall off a horse, you may break something. When you're my age and you fall off, you splatter - Roy Rogers
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, Nancy Sturm [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: No - only seasonal mud here. If you have red clay, then you may win. Nothing, and I mean nothing, stains like Carolina red mud - not even Clorox takes it out - and it transfer from one piece of clothing to another in the wash. Light colored tails are always orange here. My daughter's first pony was gray and we were getting ready for a show. Someone told me to use laundry bluing to get his tail silver again but they forgot to tell me to mix it with the shampoo - I put it on straight - took me almost all night to get it so the tail wasn't purple. -- Laree in NC Doppa Mura Simon, Sadie and Sam (the S gang) When you're young and you fall off a horse, you may break something. When you're my age and you fall off, you splatter - Roy Rogers
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, Virginia Tupper [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: make sure you have your system of feeding them where you dont have to go in with them. Just pour over the fence or whatever. Why? V well my horses arent like some people on here who say their horses will march up to the feed bucket and tap dance and whistle dixie politely while you feed, they are so impeccably marvelously well trained. My horses are like angels but any time you introduce a scoop of feed they turn into a pack of wild heathen savages who follow you around, crowding, mugging, try to stick their head in the bucket knocking it out of your hands, then of course Traveller will kick at stonewall and he will duck out of the way so there you are with a hoof in your face... you know the drill. What I do is walk along the fence pouring the feed while they stand mannerly cause they know if they try to stick their head in I wont pour, and if they get to fighting with each other I aint in the line of fire. Probably 99% of people who have been kicked to death by a horse was at feeding time. Janice-- yipie tie yie yo
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 11/1/07, Janice McDonald [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Probably 99% of people who have been kicked to death by a horse was at feeding time. Thank you Janice. V
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
Oh, yes. my horses would like to be heathens but I ruin their fun buy picking up the Parelli attention device and whirling it aroundthen the little angels straighten out their halos and stand back respectfully while I place the food around. I do NOT aim the stick or string at them; it just whirls around me and if they are in the way, then they will run into it. I rarely need to pull it out any more. However, it would be easier to throw their feed over the fence Penny
RE: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
Also--if I want to fence a smaller area near the run-in and use it as a sacrifice pen, what would be the best way to prepare the footing? If I just let the horses lose won't it just turn to mud over the winter? It's been trial and error for us, and I'm sure it will depend a lot on your temps, rainfall, etc...which are bound to be different from ours in NC. We always have mud in the winter here - there's just no avoiding it. What we do to minimize the mud is to put down loads of pit gravel in the most heavily used areas - near the gates, around the water troughs and over their main traffic areas. The problem at first, of course, is that you won't know where the traffic areas are.Pit gravel are a type of small stones available here, mostly with rounded edges, varying in size from sandy to maybe 1/2-3/4 diameter. We have a layer of these in our smaller paddocks, in the round pen, and as a base layer in the barn, and it works well. I have no idea what kind of gravel are available in your area, but I'd avoid any with sharp edges, or shaped such that they might get stuck in the horse's frogs. If anyone knows a way to prevent mud...short of paving the pastures - please let me know! :) Karen Karen Thomas Wingate, NC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.14/1100 - Release Date: 10/30/2007 6:26 PM
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
Haven't a clue as to an answer, but it is just so pretty there. Nancy Oregon
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
At our new home, the area I want to fence in for a pasture has tall grass and some weeds. Should I mow this before letting the horses in there? I think it depends on how much there is, what kind of grass, what kind of weeds, and how much your horses can eat without having a problem (founder / laminitis / colic). Judy
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
I asked my sometimes farmer husband and he said he'd ask the folks who live around you, remembering (I suspect) how very helpful our farmer neighbors were when we moved here. Nancy
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 10/31/07, Virginia Tupper [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: At our new home, the area I want to fence in for a pasture has tall grass and some weeds. Should I mow this before letting the horses in there? Might want to have someone in your area, who would know, if any of your plants or weeds are poisonous. Different areas of the country have differnt plants that are poisonous. We have county extension aagents that we can contact -- Anna Southern Ohio
Re: [IceHorses] Should I mow?
On 31/10/2007, Virginia Tupper [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: At our new home, the area I want to fence in for a pasture has tall grass and some weeds. Should I mow this before letting the horses in there? Virginia, will the horses be on it this winter? If so, by the time they are on it, the nutritional value will be gone and it will make for excellent foraging. However, if you wait until spring to put them on it, you may want to mow. I made a terrible mistake with Elska this year and left her on what I thought was a weedy pasture 24/7. She ballooned like a beluga. A friend told me to mow it and I might be surprised at the amount of grass I found. I was surprised...there was a tremendous amount of grass in amongst the weeds. I've since got her weight back down but it was a struggle all summer. Wanda
