graceomally

This year's haylage offered by my current supplier is absolutely dry and dusty, such a shame its always been so good. I can't feed my poor old horse on dusty forage as he is asthmatic, second bale of the season and he's struggling. Does anyone know of a supply that is actually haylage, wrapped with some moisture in it? Or any reasonable alternatives (am aware of imports and haycobs options but they are beyond my means as a total hay replacer).

Anyone know where I can get road planings for muddy gateways? I can buy some very expensive recycled plastic but the mud is deep and the horses feet will probably punch them down into the mud. planings work well but no idea nowadays where to get em or anything similar. not wanting anything too posh as its just a muddy field.

2-5 acres ideally but am flexible. must have reasonable vehicle access, no public footpaths crossing/adjoining, access to off-road hacking without using busy roads. any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Please put this back where I posted it. Horse riding is a sport and an activity, and I'm aware that different people look at that section than the Pet sec. I'm sure it's been moved with the best of intentions but I would be very grateful if a mod could put it back. Many thanks Newbiz TOO RIGHT - I no longer use the forum much, because equitation - horse riding - is not about pets, its a serious sporting activity and gets completely lost in amongst pet threads. ITS A SPORT! If we could use that category then we could use the forum. Would you put angling in pets because it involves fish? PLEASE mods, think it through and let us use the sports section, or better still let us have our own. There are must too many threads in pets and stuff disappears before we can pick up on it.

I''m not familiar with this area, is the pond just near glen house? that little road which drops down from Roscoe Bank? I could really use some woodchips, if I can find the pile.

I have horse manure, its from the field, so no bedding in it, can't guarantee its weed-free entirely but the field is nice and clean and the hay is good quality so shouldn't be a big problem. Also its fairly fresh so if you stack it and rot it properly any seed would be killed. I only have a couple so there isn't a mountain of it. Come winter there may be four stabled so more manure, also used woodchips or straw, I keep them all separate. You need to stack and rot any used bedding for quite a while before its any use. I'm not allowed to stack it on the field, so if anyone wants a large supply and has a suitable area to use, I would be happy to trailer it over and make a proper muck heap which will heat up and rot down after 12 months. I can also deliver S5/S6 ish, by the bag. Cheap as I only need to cover my costs. I don't allow any wormers or medication into the muck heap, that is always removed and burnt. The horses are fed haylage, chopped hay, grass and sugar beet pulp, no artificial fertilisers are used on the field, nor any herbicides or pesticides, so nothing scary will be going into your veg plots. pm me if you're interested.

One small grey pony is feeling rather bored and lonely in his field because his last two humans have grown too big to ride him. He needs a two-legged friend (age up to about 10years) to groom, ride and keep him company. He is 12 hands high, lovely on a lead rein, and would enjoy pony club or just outdoors fun. Small payment in return for regular use, flexible around school hours and holidays. Can be taken out for a hack once a week with my horse provided child is suitably insured (about £60 per year and covers all other horsey activities). Local lessons available if required. pm if interested.

Thank you for being such a good person and taking the care to keep an eye this horse. My horse likes to stand in the rain covered in mud but he does like a rest indoors sometimes too. It might just be part of a breeding herd, they may have left it on purpose and these very hairy little horses (often multicoloured) will cope for a while by themselves and in all weathers. Sometimes they separate young males out of the herd. I wouldn't feed him either, but do keep looking out for him, if there is grass on the field he should be fine. If it all turns to mud, he will need food and water, if its at all green he will probably be coping. I see mine at 7 am and 6pm every day, so he looks fairly abandoned to passers by too. You do the right thing though, especially asking for advice and its nice to see someone who cares. Hope you had a deserved good christmas and wishing you a happy new year.

7 years gelding, confident, lovely pony, walks, trots, canters, pops small jump, lunge/longlines, hacks out, shows, good for vet, dentist, farrier, loads and travels well. Tack, rugs and equipment available. Kick along if not fed but quite peppy if oil added to hay. No hard feed and restricted grazing necessary. Lead rein pony or would do more confident rider for pony club etc. Prefer to keep on current yard but may move on approval of yard. References and written agreement required. Experienced home only.

lovely confident pony needs a child to love and exercise him. He must stay on our yard (north Sheffield), where facilities are excellent and there is a monthly all inclusive fee as I arrange everything he needs including feed and bedding. You can choose DIY, full or part livery. Must commit to regular exercise and written agreement renewable annually. I am available to cover holidays etc if you choose DIY and lessons are available if required. He is getting bored and would love some children to keep him busy. Please pm in the first instance. Must be over 18 and have transport.

There are some very friendly DIY and mixed yards in the Ecclesfield area. Suggest you actually drop by and chat to them, get a good idea if they will suit you. You have to make your own little network group though, or pay for help. There is a yard behind Grenoside equestrian - not sure of the proper name - where I have some friends, that is DIY and very friendly with off road hacking but no school. Woodland trails at Oughtibridge has school and off road hacking. but I don't know what its like on the yard myself. Oaklodge at High Green is very friendly and supportive, has a school and same local hacking but some road work. Whitley Hall where I keep mine is lovely, two schools and local hacking but no DIY. Also Check out Prior Royd Farm they have off-road hacking and DIY and there are some other little private yards advertising on preloved in the area. You may have to go on a waiting list for some yards so may be worth sussing it out before you buy the horse. Good luck. BTW there is a local riding club, which meets at Grenoside equestrian may - sept, maybe see you there one day! Good luck anyway.

Well good food is always worth a trip, never been to Worrall, so maybe thats a Sunday outing to cheer up these bleak old wintery days.

Whereabouts is it? I quite fancy a bit of a day out and a nice meal. Getting a bit of cabin fever with all this vile weather.

BTW If I started this thread - can I close it? I don't feel terribly comfortable with a couple of the posts that seem a bit negative for no real purpose. I just wanted to share something really quirky and nice, of course I want it to do well, so I can keep on going there. Can a moderator tell me please? I don't like to think people may be upset by something I started with the best of intentions. OR can people be polite and keep it reasonably positive.

Lucky dog to find such a nice person and get so well looked after.