Guide for choosing the right OUTDOOR PASTURE PENSION

Daily tip … This time I will address the subject close to me – how to choose a pasture that suits your horse and you? Remember my first horse HOUSTY? So, like every good girl, I wanted him to retire in some pasture … and so it was! We put him in a huge green pasture, and after about two months we found a horse with laminaitis, skinloosed all his body weight, in fact between life and death ….. Since then I learned that there is a different solutions for pasture … And from my sad experience- I realized that a horse that had competed all his life and was standing in an orderly stable – to throw it away from day to day in a pasture of hundreds of acres – this is an irresponsible action! Today, in retrospect, I would put him first on a farm that provides pasture services of a few acres, which will gradually become accustomed to outside pasture life. Gradually I would take off his iron hooves and follow his adjustment. It was only when I saw that his hoof was stronger and that he was able to keep himself in the herd – only then would I consider putting it in a pasture less controlled. And now I will expand on existing options … When we say pasture – we actually have a picture of a huge green field … with horses and free food and all this fun … So this is not always … Let’s go for a moment on the option of the endless green shepherds – that is, Europe, or in the Golan Heights. Indeed a beautiful and amazing sight – But there are some important points- In Europe – you can visit your horse only once … you will not really know what it is like (unless you rely on the people to keep up with crises …). Another important point – in Europe there is also a real winter, snowy … During the snow, all the green of the pastures has died and the earth has become like a slick and dangerous concrete. In other words, we remember that picture, the one with the green- Replace it with two options – 1. Or your horse will be put into a closed place with more horses, on a fairly small area, and there will spend its time from November to March every year … 2. The same winter period, sometimes we talk about minus 20-30 degrees Celsius, it will pass out, and you hope that the man who distributes hay – will divide enough points so that your horse will also get food … Now let’s talk about the option of the Golan Heights – Here the situation is different – 1. In the summer, the herds are dry, and you hope that your horse will get extra hay and a mixture … otherwise it will just go thin (or in the case of foal – will not develop properly. 2. We are talking about hundreds of dunams, and you hope that the water is clean and that they are working at all. 3. You hope that travelers closed the gates they opened – all the same in administrative areas or worse KKL – and everyone is allowed to pass there … 4. You hope no one has put a sick horse into the area where your horse is 5. You hope the horse will not get stollen 6. You hope to get to your horse in time if … 7. You hope there are no snakes 8. You hope there are no dangerous stuff to hurt your horse 9. You hope that the horse will not injure the wire fence of the pastures – and that it will even shake her while he runs for his pleasure … I had considered putting my favorite mare in a pasture like that not long ago, I had an option even for free! but… At first glance it looked great, and then we got to the two mares that stood there – one with a deep incision in the leg and one with gasps and excretions- it looked like a really ill horse… As for Europe, I myself was on a farm that also had a grazing boarding house. The horses in the winter stood inside, not in the pasture … The land is frozen outside, and it is dangerous to release a horse there … Now go to the other options: There are stables that provide a pasture pension lodge. (Once again, I am one of them!) In these stables, this is actually a controlled area, up to 10 dunams, where your horse is walking around with or without sheds (depending on the place itself), the horse actually gets hay and a mixture (again depending on the place). And most importantly – there is control over the horse – it is in front of your eyes all the time. As opposed to other giant rattles. But the plus of the control is also the minus of the payment. Since these places really feed the horse (and not like a giant pasture during the vegetable season – where the horse actually feeds on nature … I wish for everyone …..) – the costs are accordingly. Such a grazing board will be more expensive. Also, the horse will be relatively close to you, you can see it whenever you want (for example you can watch it through the cameras at any time you choose) And thus you can maintain some control over the quality of your horse’s real life. In any case, did you choose a pasture? What should you check? 1. With how many horses will your horse be? 2. How many food centers do you have? (So ​​that your horse will indeed reach the food) 3. How and how to give a mixture and how many times a day? 4. How is the area fenced? Are you safe? 5. What are defenses against theft? A smart fence? Cameras? Guard? 6. What does the place look like for the Brazzaleida? (Potential injuries) 7. How does the place look to you in terms of its order? (Snakes potential) 8. Who is the person in charge of the place and what is his training? 9. If it’s a pension to restore – you want to have several options of configuration sizes for your horse. 10. You prefer someone with a good reputation … stories, they usually have a reason … This is, for once … If someone has anything to add – welcome!