Strip grazing

[Mousesmummy]

Can I ask for your opinions please on strip grazing?
We have just moved to a small yard where the grazing is all like this.
Do you think our pony will be 'lonely' as is not in a herd?
Pony seems fine - head down eating
Any thoughts please?

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

Well I'm not sure how much this will help, as you are on the yard already, but where we are we used to strip graze. We have now stopped. We (the yard owner and I) have found that it tends to make the ponies obsessed with eating and when you will move the fence, and the restriction means that apart from that new strip, they tend to be eating new shoots constantly. They seemed to go into a 'hardship mode' where they ended up stuffing everything they could get as fast as possible. We now give more or less ad lib grass, and they seem to pick more, wonder about in the hunt for the best stuff are more chilled out and less gobbly. They get a better selection of old and new grass, and we counteract any slight weight gain with exercise. A grazing muzzle could also be put into use If exercise was difficult.

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

Sorry, that sounded quite negative. Are you able to graze the whole strip as one and not ration it? As long as they can see others, I don't think being alone is too bad.

[Mousesmummy]

Thanks Saggy,
They each get their own strip, which is large, and they stay on that, more of a paddock than a strip iyswim? But they are each on their own, unless there are two horses from the same owner.
They divider is electric fencing. Yes they can all see each other but cannot run as a herd, although they can run alongside the neighboring horses. They can touch over the fence.
The YO said they did it as they had a lot of problems with injuries from kicks etc, broken legs?
I was just worried that pony would be lonely but maybe I am over worrying?

[LisaD1]

I don't think pony would be lonely as long as can see/interact with others.

In my experience, pony will soon let you know if not happy. I tried to strip graze my DD's pony last year as she is prone to laminitis, all she did was spend the summer trashing any fence I put up, regardless of the fact it was electric, to get to her friends!

I would say if pony is busy grazing and can see others it will be fine.

Good luck at the new yard.

[Butkin]

We strip graze our summer paddock. All 3 or 4 go in the same area though.

We start them off at the bottom (where the water trough is) and gradually bring the tape up the field - always making sure they will have shade. By the Autumn they have the whole field.

Its not just about restriction for us. It is also about making them eat everything. If they had ad lib grazing about a quarter of it wouldn't be touched for some reason and our field ends up looking like a golf course!

However when we strip graze we find they will eat what they would usually avoid (usually the longer stuff).

[Pixel]

Ours are kept like you describe, long paddocks divided by electric fencing (permanent stuff with wooden posts) and each owner has their own bit with a trough and a shelter. We can then sub-divide our strip as we wish with plastic posts and electric tape to let bits grow or restrict grazing. Most of the horses do have company in with them but my dhorse doesn't, he is by himself as he is frightened of the shetland. . He really doesn't seem bothered, he adores having his shelter all to himself and runs in there at the first drop of rain and he can have a run up and down with the horses each side of him if he wants. I was worried he missed having someone to scratch with but on occasions when I have put him in with another pony he hasn't done anything but eat! Besides, there is a section of wooden fencing by the shelter and he does have a bit of a scratch over that with dpony now and again.
It certainly makes life easier for me, I can get him out without having to worry about others round the gate and I don't have to worry about him getting injured. Having had a pony with a fractured hock from being kicked in the field I must admit I'm a bit paranoid though.

[Mousesmummy]

Thanks ladies, seems to fairly common then? Will keep my eye out for any signs of fretting and try to stop worrying