Saving Horse & Land by Working with Nature
Many kind thanks to Fiona Ireland for submitting her story. She completed Holistic Management training during the 2024-2025 series.
I regenerated the pasture through the Tool of Rest. Mostly by chance!
My veteran pony got pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) and developed laminitis. As a result he and my other two ponies have either been corralled on the hardstanding by the water trough or on the sacrifice area under the trees where we also feed hay, for the last 18 months.
Since April, we have very gradually been increasing the grazing time for the ponies. The best grazing for horses prone to laminitis is longer grass that has gone to seed, so it was a perfect time to reintroduce them back to the grazing.
The ponies have been grazing the longest grass since the beginning of June and they are now grazing for 12 hours a day, which is great because this time last year we didn't think our pony was ever going to transition back to grass. This isn't only a story of regenerating the land but saving the life of my pony too, through working with nature.
This land is very wet in winter and buttercups have been a real issue, however this year through resting it for 18 months the grass has really made a comeback. Our grass has regenerated a lot quicker.
Sadly, however, after 4 years in this field it's being sold and we are having to move, just as we get the field where we want it. It's on the market with White and Son in Horley, Surrey.
