The farm where my horses live is one of those giant old sprawling multi-generational estates where horses (and ponies!) have lived happily for decades. Sure, some of it is a bit rustic and/or in need of some maintenance, but the grounds and pastures are incredible.
It's just downright hard to find group turnout in big grassy pastures like this at more modern boarding facilities.
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| Doozy being brave about our resident pig, Goose |
So obvi it's been a bit unfortunate to have Doozy resigned to paddock life for the last 2+ months, after mother nature damaged her intended field and repairs were slow.
Finally, tho, this weekend was TIME!
Doozy and her fellow redhead pony pasture mate finally got let loose in the big field! So much excitement haha!!
But also --- more importantly --- SO MUCH GRASS!
Once the redheads had finished frolicking and commenced on the important work of binge eating, it was time to bring in the brown brigade too -- another TB / Pony dynamic duo, but this time elegant old bay biddies.
Naturally, it was the eldest lady of them all who was slowest to settle!!
But try as she might, her efforts weren't enough to lure the ponies and sweet 5yo Doozy away from #DatGrass. So ya know, if you can't beat 'em, amirite?
It's so satisfying finally see Mondeuse out on grass in a (slightly) larger group.
Her condition has already improved significantly since joining us, but grass is such a difference maker. Plus, she and her redhead pony friend are also stalled next to each other, and none of us felt it was super healthy for two mares to be so exclusively together 24/7.
So the herd has finally expanded --- possibly to get a few more new members too, now that all the fencing etc is back in order. A big relief for all involved!
Do you like your horse out in a big group? Or does it kinda depend?
I love seeing groups of horses out on such nice big pasture!
ReplyDeleteme too <3 <3 <3
DeleteThere is nothing like grass to put weight and shine on a horse. They all look so happy. What a great place.
ReplyDeleteagreed, it's honestly been super frustrating to watch the entire summer fade away with all these beautiful grassy pastures unusable bc fence repairs were so slow...
DeleteI just love watching them bomb around playing and so excited for life (insert all the heart eyes)!
ReplyDeleteMy current farm turns out in big herds, but she does not have grass pastures. She does several huge round bales in each field for them. In the late spring, she'll do rotations and turn them out for an hour or 2 on select grassy areas but she always jokes that after the first couple of days of grass, the excitement wears off and they all beg to go back to the round bales because it's less work :-P
yea ours will end up on round bales soon enough once the grass dies, we're just so lucky at this farm to have access to so many summer pastures that can rest over winter while horses stay in sacrifice areas on round bales. seems like there are fewer and fewer farms with this much land each year, tho :(
DeleteThat is SO amazing. We do not have turnout like that and all of ours are turned out singly. Dalton would LOVE having friends to play with (they would hate him)
ReplyDeleteyea honestly i think this style of farm is increasingly less common as farms keep getting chopped up into smaller parcels for development. large group turnout on grass remains one of my key boarding priorities, however. like i know tons and tons of horses live happy and healthy lives in different sorts of set ups - like yours! - but i just feel like there are so many advantages that it's worth it
DeleteI'm so happy for her!!! You've heard about my struggles with herds and both the boys, but at the end of the day, a happy herd in a large grassy pasture is definitely my ideal.
ReplyDeletefor sure.... i think no matter what with horses, there's always some sort of drama. and we definitely have a few mares at the farm who can be challenges. i like to think that a larger group helps normalize horses with difficult behaviors... but a kick is still a kick, and it still really sucks if it's bad.
Deleteright now the mares at our farm are kinda fragmented into different paddocks and smaller groups just bc of the repairs issues, and normal stall rest / rehab stuff... but i'm anticipating the whole group coming (mostly) back together eventually. we'll see what happens!
I am a fan of group turn out on grass for horses, assuming their health and metabolic condition allows it. I bet the change will be a positive one for Doozy. You definitely have a beautiful place for her and Charlie to live.
ReplyDeleteI do sometimes wish mine could go out together. But Shiny would kick the poo out of everyone (yes, she's done it...). And Al... well. The trouble with Al is that he was a stallion until age 6 and half which meant he wasn't properly socialized. He can zero percent read social cues. He would get very beat up. Poor dude. Eros would probably be fine with some buddies though. Our turnout is very limited though, so it's just not really an option for us.
ReplyDeleteI love that yours get to live this life though! I do think it's ideal for horses to live like they are meant to- out on grass with friends. I bet Doozy is thrilled!