horse proof screening plants (forum)

Kath starts with ...
Hi there, I stupidly planted a windbreak/privacy screen between us & our neighbours and used trees which clogged the leach drains-a very expensive mistake! We've had the drains cleaned out & got lots of firewood & now going to plant some much smaller native shrubs.
What I'd like to know is has anyone with horses tried growing banna grass or sugarcane as a windbreak? Our gorgeous but naughty horse eats banana leaves ,avacado,bamboo etc so just wondering if anyone has suggestions for quick growing screens that horses don't eat! Thanks.

Time: 14th April 2009 6:31pm

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au0rey says...
Hi Kath, I am planning to plant a 30m privacy screen for our new property too. Wondering how your planting spot looks like and what you mean by clogging the leach drains? What native shrubs was that which clogged the drains?

I am planning to plant either silver or golden sheen (pittosporum types)along the L-shaped fence. I read that pittosporum do not have invasive roots and are rather easy to grow, and grow fast (1m a year).

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Time: 15th April 2009 4:18pm

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au0rey says...
And I also read that Lilly Pilly is a very nice hedging native shrub.

Time: 15th April 2009 4:20pm

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Kath says...
Hi auOrey, Thanks for that.The plants were all Aussie natives-a few eucalypts & acacias-very silly as I watered them for the first two summers & then they were on their own-straight to the leach drains. The roots absolutely matted in the drains& stopped our drains from draining quickly & the all the roots had to be dug out. The plumber said roots could come from 50 + metres away! Good luck & definitely get advice re whether anything you plant is invasive-learn from my mistakes!!!

Time: 16th April 2009 5:00pm

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Julie says...
Kath, the Water Authority has a leaflet available which has the sort of info you are looking for. Only lists trees though, not shrubs. Every nursery should hand it out to customers buying trees!

I don't know what sort of space you have, so it's hard to make recommendations. When I eventually move (to Chidlow)I will be planting thorny native shrubs as a hedge. This will keep out kangaroos, but they are also wonderful, safe habitats for birds.

I doubt that horses would eat them either!





Time: 16th April 2009 9:14pm

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Kath says...
Thanks Julie-have emailed them for that list.

Time: 16th April 2009 10:04pm

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au0rey says...
Yes one guy who came to inspect our property said that eucalyptus are notorious in their roots...i suppose they are trees...but pittosporums are very popular hedging shrubs, not trees here in Melbourne. You may want to search a bit on them...there are many varieties..Not sure if your horsie will like them though.

Time: 16th April 2009 10:13pm

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Yak says...
Lily Pillies I have just found horses think they are GREAT fodder... had planted them a metre from the fenceline to create a hedge... the horses broke the fence getting to them and now there is not much left. PS, they also like eating Tiger Grass... grrrr - time to plant some bottlebrush or grevillea I think.

Time: 13th November 2017 12:05am

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Fruitylicious1 says...
Hi everyone looking for a horse proof (or any animal for that matter) hedge or privacy screening especially in the farm. Dovyalis Caffra (Kei Apple) easily comes to my mind with the added bonus of edible fruits. They usually form into a dense impenetrable shrub from the ground up because of their vicious 5cm long sharp thorns. Even elephants are known to stay away from this shrub in their native Africa let alone a horse. It is tough as old boots, it is long lived, it survives drought when established, wind, and the poorest of soil. The foliage is reputedly fire retardant and the plant tolerates a -5C frost. Excellent hedge especially around the farmhouse.

Second best animal deterrent hedge is the more famous Carissa Grandiflora (Natal Plum) its more pleasing to the eyes and less prickly (only 3cm Y-shaped thorns) than the Kei Apple. Its got nice white star-shaped fragrant flowers and bright red oval fruits which are edible. They can grow up to 6 meters if allowed. Not as cold tolerant as the Kei Apple but it can put up with the occasional -2C during the colder months. Its not choosy about soil either whether clay or beach sand hence very saline tolerant. It survives extreme heat as well.

So this two African species are probably the best edible hedges that are animal deterrent and security screen provider out there.
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Time: 13th November 2017 12:01pm

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Original Post was last edited: 13th November 2017 10:16pm

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