- Location
- Owaka, New Zealand
2,4,D would be what I'd use.
Yes it seems to give clover the 'what-for' but can't say it isn't effective.
Yes it seems to give clover the 'what-for' but can't say it isn't effective.
Weed Removal from pasture
- Thread starter Laura_Long
- Start date
- Location
- Limousin/Charentes toad land
Traffic dodger
Member
I wonder how long before we have a self driven quad bike size machine that would roam slowly across pasture spot spraying or a flame burning weeds etc.
Laura_Long
Member
Hi Coximus - I am looking to put ponies on my land as it will bring in £200 per month rather than £50 that I would get for sheep in my area.
Laura_Long
Member
I have heard vinegar,salt and soap works.
Problem is with ponies is that if you over-stock it, it's a hell of a job to get it back fit for anything else. Same with any livestock I suppose but horses seem to have a knack of trashing good fields. So be careful with stocking rates. 2.5ac would, in my view support about 1 pony unless they were only on it for 8 months of the year.
Coximus
Member
Simply put... you have a tiny piece of land that can handle max 1 pony long term withough causing never ending damage
Remember this FACT.
The reason horse rent is higher than sheep or cattle is to compensate for the massive increase in costs of repairing the infrastructure, controllng weeds, reseeding, fixing compacted soil... overall your rarely better off... and long term probably worse off. 1 year of horses on a 3ac used to rent out cost me 900 just to sort the compaction and mudied up areas, not including smashed fences and massive weed problem that took 3 years to solve.
- Location
- Cornwall
I reckon it’s just good, practical advice. 3 or 4 ponies would make an unholy mess on 2.5 acres in Cornwall, especially on that country down Stithians way.
A short drive around Cornwall nowadays and you’ll find horse paddocks a plenty and they are all poached up, full of weeds and many are borderline welfare cases... and all are over stocked and under managed!
1 or 2 with carefully managed grazing areas is all I’d put on 2.5 acres. Move them regularly and often to allow the ground and pasture to recover, and give you chance to deal with your weeds in what ever way you deem fit.
I understand your desire to get a return on your investment, but it’s important to weigh up the costs of each type of enterprise/livestock. As others have mentioned, there’s a reason horses attract a higher rent... and it ain’t because horsey people have more money!!!!
Personally, I’d rather have a few sheep, which are far kinder to grass and ground, than horses and all that horrendous white tape so favoured by the horsey fraternity, but that’s just my own irrational prejudice.
I wonder about the possibility of mixed stocking, 1 horse plus a few sheep? Would prevent any danger of laminitis, varied grazing etc? Variety is the spice of life after all. Perhaps the best of both worlds... and no need for bleddy white tape!?!?
Problem with more than one horse is they race each other and churn up ground doing that. Even race each other along fences if they are kept seperate ut next to each other. Fine in summer a disaster in winter 
4 cows even kept out on the same ground will make much less mess than the same amount of horses because they just stand arounf doing nothing. Horses are just the worst thing you can have if itd more than one.
4 cows even kept out on the same ground will make much less mess than the same amount of horses because they just stand arounf doing nothing. Horses are just the worst thing you can have if itd more than one.
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
Problem with more than one horse is they race each other and churn up ground doing that. Even race each other along fences if they are kept seperate ut next to each other. Fine in summer a disaster in winter
4 cows even kept out on the same ground will make much less mess than the same amount of horses because they just stand arounf doing nothing. Horses are just the worst thing you can have if itd more than one.
We only have one (ex-racehorse) and he races round in his paddock on occasion. I'm sure he only does it when I'm looking, just to pee me off.
Mrs NeilO tells me that he only does it because he hasn't got a mate, and letting her have another would stop him doing it. I'm not falling for it though.
You need about an acre per head to keep a horse for a year, so maximum of 2 on the area she has.
Dont they will get worse and race each other. Horses are awful things to have to have in your fields one is too manyWe only have one (ex-racehorse) and he races round in his paddock on occasion. I'm sure he only does it when I'm looking, just to pee me off.
Mrs NeilO tells me that he only does it because he hasn't got a mate, and letting her have another would stop him doing it. I'm not falling for it though.
Ok, 1 equine per acre
Laura_Long
Member
Hi Pasty, Yes agreed although it is two retired tiny ponies who will be strip grazed. I also have a 3/4 acre paddock at the top that they can also graze.
Laura_Long
Member
I don't want any more than 2. 2 retired 11.2 and 12.3 ponies who suffer from laminitis so will be strip grazed.
Laura_Long
Member
Just to be clear I am not looking to put a herd of horses on there!! It will be 2 small retired ponies that will be strip grazed in the spring and grazed at the slopy bit of the field in winter as it drains well. I also have a 3/4 acre paddock at the top that they have access to.
Yo be fair you sound more sensible than most horse people i know