Creating the Perfect Paddock, Part 3 in a 3-part series

Put your new paddock to good use

by Alayne Blickle, Horses for Clean Water

In this series we have covered key techniques for setting up and managing the perfect horse paddock. This month we wind up by discussing how to integrate your paddock into your management system, along with how to deal with horse boredom.

Paddock to Pasture

You’ve done everything to set up the mud-free, dust-free perfect paddock, so now you’re ready to integrate everything into your horsekeeping system. If you have pasture, your horses should be kept in their paddocks during the winter and early spring when grass plants are dormant and soils are soggy. In the summer, use your paddock to avoid grazing pasture below three inches. Having a well-maintained paddock is also useful for separating or confining animals, for controlling the amount of grass or feed your horse consumes on a daily basis (so he doesn’t become overweight), and for caring for sick or injured individuals.

Remember to begin springtime grazing time gradually. Too much pasture can cause serious problems, especially in the spring when grasses are green and full of sugar. Start with about an hour of grazing at a time and work up to several hours over a period of weeks. If you have any questions on this, consult your veterinarian for recommendations.

Beating the Boredom

Some horses confined in a paddock will develop boredom issues, but luckily there are a few things we can do to help alleviate the problem. The first is to feed more frequently. Smaller, more frequent meals mimic a horse’s natural behavior. If this isn’t possible, consider leaving additional lower quality hay for your horse to browse during the day. On the advice of your vet, perhaps you can reduce the overall quality of hay you feed and increase the amount.

Other boredom-busters include horsey toys; a variety of toys are on the market these days, including balls, licking toys (with sugar or salt in them) or objects with a food treat inside that encourage the horse to pursue the toy. You may be able to make your own toys, perhaps a ball or some other safe plastic object, a plastic milk jug the horses can bat around, or even a heavy branch from a non-toxic tree species--check with your veterinarian for advice on local tree species that aren’t toxic.

The very best method for reducing boredom in your horses is to provide more mental stimulation: riding and exercise. Even though your horses can move around in their paddocks, they still need regular exercise, so plan and maintain a regular program for your horse. Exercising a horse as little as 30 minutes per day three times a week can make a big health and attitude change. Horses (like their humans) need regular exercise as part of their standard care regime. Options include riding (of course!), hand walking, lunging, round pen groundwork, or using a hot walker. Perhaps now is the time to work out a riding and ground exercising routine that will fit your schedule and will benefit your horse. 

Healthy Farm, Healthy Horse

By utilizing a confinement area as outlined above, you will have less mud and runoff, less dust, fewer flies, and reduced odors as well as healthier pastures. All this means healthier horses, fewer vet bills, less money spent on supplemental feed, a place that’s easier for you to care for and to look at and enjoy, and a cleaner environment for all. That’s perfect!

Happy Horsekeeping,

~Alayne