Poached land can be rescued, but timing is very important. If the ground is too wet using a tractor will make a real mess. If the ground has dried out too much then the hoofprints and ruts will not roll back, leaving you with an uneven rough field which is not suitable for riding on.
Start renovating work in March or April when the land should be drying out and warming up.
Harrow the field. This will tear out old feg and moss, and make a partial seedbed.
Oversow poached or damaged areas as weeds may invade these areas. Grass seed can be spread by hand, drill or fertiliser spreader.
After the seed has been sown, lightly harrow then roll.
Choose your grass seed carefully A good paddock mixture should be hard wearing and provide a thick and relatively short sward If your field needs a complete reseed, March, April, August or September is a good time.
If the preparation is right then the maintenance and upkeep is relatively easy. Topping stops the grazing sward from getting leggy and encourages horses to graze the entire field, not just parts of it.
Pull out weeds when you see them and don't leave them to spread their seeds. Harrow as a matter of routine, particularly if the droppings are not being collected.
Feed in different parts of the field to avoid poaching and spread by hand a little seed in those areas each time.
Put in an extra gate. This will prevent poaching and allow one gateway time to recover.
