Management 101: non-ridden horses

Whether your horse is retired, on a temporary holiday, living out full time or just in the field for a few hours a day, having safe, well-maintained paddocks is a must. Not only will this allow your horse to get the most out of his turnout but it will also help keep him healthy both mentally and physically.

Having your horse turned out in the field is as close as he will probably get to his natural state. Grazing freely while wandering around in the company of others allows him to reset and relax, but, nevertheless, the environment in which your horse experiences his freedom is important. Doing your best to minimise any stress-inducing situations will not only make his time in the field all the more relaxing for him, it could also save you time, money and effort right across the board.

Finding the balance

In an ideal world, we’d love to have our horses turned out in massive fields carpeted with grass, but the reality is that this isn’t how horses have evolved to eat, and the calorie content of good grazing can lead to health issues. However, hungry horses find mischief, particularly in the colder months, so there’s a balance to be struck between keeping your horse occupied and controlling his weight.

If your horse is prone to putting on the pounds, having him on restricted grazing can be a solution, either by turning him out in a field that’s already been grazed by other horses or livestock, or through using strip or track grazing set-ups.

Traditional strip grazing has meant gradually moving the fence line to allow your horse a little more grass when he’s consumed his allowance. However, as well as often leading to overgrazing and bare, poached ground, access to a strip of lush grass when the fence is moved means a sudden, large calorie intake, which can be problematic.

Track grazing follows the same principle of restricting access to grass, but with the benefit of allowing more movement by creating – at its most simple – a grazed strip around the perimeter of the field with an ungrazed section in the middle. It takes longer to set up, but then doesn’t need adjusting in the same way as a traditional strip-grazing system.

Top tip

Track grazing allows a central area of grass to grow, which can be cut for hay when ready, all while your horse munches his way through the track on the outside.

Grass alternative

Although it’s ideal to have your horse out on grass as much as possible, for equines at risk of gaining weight and susceptible to conditions such as laminitis, this can be challenging. Setting up a pen can provide a solution, be it in the arena or in a dedicated area on the yard or in a field.

An alternative is a metal round pen with high sides that, if in a field, can be moved around as needed to prevent one area of ground from being overgrazed or trashed in wet weather.

Discover more ways to keep your horse happy in the field in November Horse&Rider – get your copy today!