Field management made easy
Field management is an essential part of horse keeping. The correct organisation and maintenance of grazing land is not only important for the health of the horses, but also contributes to the sustainable use of the land. Especially for stables with many horses, field management can be challenging. Digital tools such as Hippovibe can provide valuable support here. In this article, you will learn what is important for field management and how modern solutions can make your daily routine easier.
Why is field management important?
Horses are grazing animals whose physical and mental health depends heavily on the quality and availability of grazing land. A well-managed field provides:
- Healthy roughage: Fresh grass provides essential nutrients
- Exercise: Horses use the pasture to move freely, which strengthens muscles and joints
- Social contact: Keeping horses in groups in the field promotes natural social behaviour
However, a poorly organised or overused field can lead to problems such as food shortages, health risks from poisonous plants or parasites, and long-term damage to the soil.
The basics of field management
Effective field management involves several aspects, including planning grazing times, maintaining the area and taking care of the horses' health.
1. Field division and rotation system
Dividing the field into smaller sections (parcels) makes it possible to use them in a targeted manner and to give them sufficient time to regenerate. In the rotation system, only one parcel is grazed at a time, while the others are left to rest and recover. This protects the soil and promotes the regrowth of grass.
2. Grazing periods
Grazing periods should be adapted to the growth phases of the grass. Particular care should be taken in spring when the grass contains a lot of easily digestible sugars, as too much fructan can cause colic or laminitis.
3. Field maintenance
Regular field maintenance is essential. This includes:
- Removal of poisonous plants such as ragwort
- Checking fences and drinking troughs
- Fertilisation and reseeding to keep the soil fertile and improve the quality of the grass
- Measures to prevent parasites, e.g. by regularly collecting horse droppings
4. Taking into account the individual needs of horses
Not every horse can go out to the field without restrictions. Horses that are overweight, have metabolic disorders or sensitive digestive tracts require special field management measures, such as limiting feeding times or using muzzles.
Support from digital tools: The advantages of Hippovibe
A modern stable management software like Hippovibe makes it significantly easier to organise and maintain grazing areas. These tools help stables to keep track of things and plan tasks efficiently.
1. Field planning made easy
With Hippovibe, you can manage your fields digitally. The software makes it possible to plan rotation systems. You can determine when which parcel will be grazed and set reminders for when an area can be used again.
2. Coordinating tasks in a team
Field management often requires the cooperation of the entire team. Hippovibe can be used to clearly assign tasks such as removing faeces, checking fences or reseeding grass. Changes or progress can be documented in real time so that everyone is up to date.
3. Individual grazing times for each horse
The needs of individual horses can be stored in the software. This makes it possible to determine exactly how long a horse stays in the field or whether certain areas are reserved for sensitive horses.
4. Health care and parasite management
Hippovibe offers features for documenting health measures, such as deworming or visits to the vet. This helps you to better control parasite infestation and implement necessary measures in good time.
5. Available everywhere
Since Hippovibe is available both as an app and in a web version, you can manage your field organisation anytime and from any device. A screen in the stable can also be used to display information for the team directly on site.
Tips for sustainable field management
In order to keep your fields healthy in the long term, you can implement the following measures:
- Allow for rest periods: Each plot should be left alone for at least four to six weeks before it is grazed again
- Avoid overgrazing: Too many horses in one area can permanently damage the soil.
- Prevent soil compaction: Particularly in wet weather, the fields should be rested to avoid compaction and damage.
- Promoting diversity: Sowing herbs and different types of grass make the fields more resilient and nutrient-rich.
Effective field management requires planning, knowledge and consistent implementation. With the right organisation, you can not only promote the health of your horses but also use the fields sustainably. Digital solutions like Hippovibe help you to simplify and streamline the management of your fields. From task coordination to health monitoring, Hippovibe gives you all the tools you need to take your field management to a professional level. This way, your fields will remain a healthy habitat for your horses in the long term.
