Waterlogged Field!!!

[Karma]

Hi guys,

Just wondering if anyone else is having a problem with a waterlogged field??

The field i have Tashie in is really waterlogged in some places, yet really dry in others.

Should i be worried about this???

Help!!!!

Karma:(

[Kylie Chamberlain]

how ironic.

We ( in aus) are in the middle of a drought and the paddocks are just dust
I wish they were water-logged!

[artemis]

Don't worry it will recover in the spring. I live on top of a hill & mine's waterlogged too.

[KarlR]

Ours becomes very waterlogged in winter and fairly badly chewed up. I had to reseed a few small areas this year, but otherwise it just takes a little longer to recover in spring and there's more chance of weeds getting a foot-hold.

It's only the amount of poaching that really matters - if it gets too bad you need to take them off.

Also, keep an eye out for mud fever. If you start getting mud/water up to the fetlocks then keep an eye on their legs daily.

Kylie - I wish we had slightly drier fields here! :) By the way, I always wondered - Australia has seasons the reverse of ours in the UK, so...are you now in Summer, or are Australian Summers cold and Winters hot? Sounds silly doesn't it, but I just don't know!

[Showjumper]

Dolly's field is disgusting - I was on hay duty tonight and forgot to bring my wellies, so now my trainers and jeans are in the wash in an attempt to get the mud off :( I just hope the washing machine survives!!!

[DebO]

It could be because you have a clay type soil. If it gets seriously waterlogged you can put drainage pipes in, which of course might be costly. These pipes have small holes in them which allow the water to soak into the pipe and be carried away. You would have to get someone in to do the job.

Do you have any ditches nearby that are blocked? This would also cause flooding by stopping the water draining away. If your land is uneven in places that will account for puddles too.

My field is clay type down in the South and I think particularly after all that rain we had 2 years ago it cannot cope with a deluge of rain still. Sometimes when it rains really hard I have a pond in one part, and I have seen ducks on it! After a couple of days it clears.

You could make sure your field is divided up and let the horses poach one small part as opposed to all of the field. Believe me it will recover but you may find it will need rolling which will encourage the sward to split and generate new grass growth. Only roll when the conditions are right, not too wet and not too dry. They say Feb is best time but I always find it is too wet down here.

Like the other reader said keep an eye on the horses legs for mud fever. If they look lame it could be a sign of mud fever.

[KarlR]

Hi,

Ours is solid clay after the first 6 inches. It just doesn't drain at all. A neighbour put drains in his, but it was no better.

One farmer nearby swears by mole-plouging, which migh be worth a try (although it needs doing each year).

[Cathy Reynolds]

Don't worry too much. The fields WILL recover come the Spring, but make sure they are harrowed up to re-level them. And watch out if we get hard frosts as the divots and ruts will be very dangerous.

We are under water in the clay fields nearest the watercourse, here near Norwich. I can't put Benny out because his locking stifles play up so much, and two years ago our livery yard owner set aside some hard standing which we straw up and we are using this. We only put the calm boys out, who don't gallop about.

I don't remember the rivers so high around here before (for non-East Anglians, this is the driest (sic!) part of the UK).

Most of the rides are waterlogged, too. The only places we can canter at the moment are a few set-aside fields that are sand, instead of clay.

[DebO]

Yes mole ploughing is another option, an instrument shaped like a bullet is pulled 6-8"s under the earth creating a tunnel like moles make. Would be cheaper than putting drain pipes in.

[Arabmare]

Yes mine is full of water!!! Its so horrid! I haven't even got wellys only my jod boots and my trousers get so wet and muddy!! I hate winter roll on summer!!!!:D

[Karma]

Hi Guys;)

Thankyou for all your replies!!

Very helpful, but the field is very rough grazing and hilly, so harrowing would be impossible!! The ground i think is peaty..

Again thanx for the replies.

Roll on summer!!!!

Karma:)