24/03/2024
There were a few inaccuracies about when i worked in the front paddock, though, and these should be corrected, so that others know that I was in the right and did the correct thing.
The lower fence was touching the floor and this cannot be accepted, as it may earth the line and endanger other people's horses. I picked it all up and left it neat but the person in the next area took it all down again and left it dangerous and untidy. She later took the line away and the posts and it must be pointed out that Tony had a fence there and the posts and the line must be restored, if you should go.. so please don't think that you can just take it all and leave.. the fence was there and has to be there at the end.
In the end, taking it all away.. and we spent a fair amount of time digging these posts etc out of the long grass, as it had grown in and become dangerous, left her neighbour with a problem, as she is now short of line and has a problem lowering her fence towards the hedge.
There were 5 inaccuracies said about this area... I never put wire up.. I put nylon sheep line behind the tape, as the half dozen attempts that I made to make the tape work to the end were unfruitful. This means that the horse could still see the tape that was still there and meant that I had not left it dangerous, as the horse could still see it and would not run through it and possibly be injured. I just wanted to clear this up, as it sounded bad. If she had come to me in a friendly way, I would have put her right in a friendly way and everyone would have been reassured... but she didn't and she involved people that knew nothing about the situation and had not checked the facts. A kind word and a visit to the site would have proven everything and this is best practise next time. We are here to help, we want to see you happy but we cannot allow something wrong to cause damage and maybe endanger your horse or other people's horses.
Electric fences should always be on or the horses may lose all respect for them and get tangled, if they are not maintained, and leaving them in loops is a real problem as the line may not be able to be recovered and it may earth, so keep it on reels or at least wound around a wooden stake.
As I say, fences that are left to grow into the grass can be a major problem and can be dangerous, so please lift them, if they are on the floor,, and look after them.
There are instances where people have dumped droppings onto the fence and this is a major problem, as it may earth a line, it may cause it to grow into the grass and it may be very difficult to lift out.
Any expert.. and I mean expert.. you know someone who really knows.. that rare breed of real experts.. not just people who think they know.. but people with decades of experience on all aspects of horses and land management.. will tell you that you should not pick up droppings and leave them in a heap in the field. This is catastrophic to the hedges and grass and may encourage dangerous weeds.
The experts.. and I mean real experts.. someone who has read a good book on the subject.. will tell you that it is best to break up the droppings where they are and leave it to the sun or frosts or birds to sort out the parasites.
This enriches the soil and allows you to spend more time looking after the fences and your horse. If you want to bring it into the yard muck heap, then it is up to you but field heaps are not an option and it would be good if you could take a fork out and throw the muck heaps around a bit, as they will never be moved, as it is too problematic. Ten minutes a day and you should have the heaps gone by summer and the grass will be better.
Another problem that I saw was the use of nylon sheep line with horses. This can be ok with tape alongside or a hedge or fence there but it is problematic in open fields, as the horse may not see them until too late and then put the brakes on and leave divots everywhere... and maybe get tangled at low speed.
I suggest plastic ribbons between the posts, so the horse sees it sooner. You may say that my horse knows but another horse may come in contact with it and be fooled... there was a line at the bottom of the passage and any horse could bolt down there and not see until it is too late.. we do not say these things for our own entertainment.
We have noticed that these electric lines have been taken away from the post and rail fences and this is why so many post and rail fences have been smashed to pieces this time.. we put the electric line there for a reason and maybe put it on posts 2 metres from the fence, to stop horses ducking under the line and breaking lower rails. We corrected much of this but not all of it, so if you could have a look and sort it out, it would be much appreciated, as it may save damage that might endanger your horse.
These water pipes are another worry.. please ensure that there are no leaks or Tony could be left with major bills not of his making.. thankyou.. as I say.. we are here to help and sometimes saying something that you may object to, may enlighten you to the truth and a better way of doing things
