Discussion on Muddy paddock
Use the navigation bar above to access articles and more discussions on this topic.
| Author |
Message |
    
Danielle Smith
Member
Username: dsmith6
Post Number: 8
Registered: 11-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, Apr 5, 2009 - 8:33 am: |   |
I live in the northeast and so far it has been a very rainy spring. This is the first spring that we have had Tucker in his new paddock and realize we need to improve the drainage once things dry up. For the time being, does anyone have any tips/ tricks they do to help their horses cope with mud? Tucker has severe arthritis in his stifles and trying to help him the best I can. Have tried making swails so the water will run out, but that only goes so far. Thanks! |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 3895
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Apr 5, 2009 - 9:05 am: | |
Hi Danielle, if you run a search on muddy Paddock you'll probably get a lot of hits. Here's one such discussion
http://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/3/234602.html
Also at the end of the outdoor arena help1 there is a discussion about it..seems to be a problem for a lot of horse owners |
Erika L
Member
Username: erika
Post Number: 1649
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, Apr 5, 2009 - 9:33 pm: | |
Hard to fix while you're in the midst of it.
There are some areas that I have dumped all kinds of crushed rock, etc. onto, but it still gets churned into mud.
The best thing I've found is to use rubber stall mats at gates, or very concentrated, high traffic areas. They are the only thing that doesn't get mucked up again here. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 22702
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Monday, Apr 6, 2009 - 9:43 am: | |
Danielle,
I think it important to bring the horse in as often as is practical (no more often than once daily) hose off the mud (no soap please), and check the skin of the legs for any problems, clean out the feet, and allow him to dry out in a stall for 8 to 12 hours. Before turn out consider applying a good hoof protector (see the article on hoof care for recommendations).
DrO |
KatR
Member
Username: kathrynr
Post Number: 62
Registered: 11-2008
| | Posted on Monday, Apr 6, 2009 - 10:10 am: | |
Hi Danielle, I too am in the NE and have a small pen that I used sand in and like Erika had suggested I put down stall mats by the traffic gate areas.
The sand was cheap and did the trick but you have to be careful not to feed on it as you know. It has solved the problem for me so far this wet spring.
Ag lime had been recommended highly but I couldn't find it to use.
Come July we will be praying for rain as our pasture shrivels up, it's always something I'm learning! Kat |
