Field mats - counteracting the eternal mud...

[now_loves_mares]

I have to go through one field to get to mine. This morning one of my horses planted herself at the gate and refused to move, by which point the other was hauling me across the field, I nearly pulled my arms out of their sockets

Anyway this field had cows in it last month so the gateway is a river of deep mud. My own field has hardcore at the gate, but outwith that there is a really muddy path that they have created to get to where the semi-normal part of the field is. Particularly as one of mine is wearing heart-bars, I really need to stop them being swallowed by it. I reckon field mats are the answer.

I've generally heard good reports, so who has used them, what kind, what price etc? Any negative reports to share?

 

[MrsMozartletoe]

Not tried these, but I too would be interested in knowing more about them, like can they be ridden on?

 

[Kallibear]

I'm not sure how well they'd work in a field already turned into soft watery mud that's deep - they're just sink! You might need to consider digging a little drainage ditch as well?

 

[Eaglestone]

I think you will find that it is too late, once the mud is already there

 

[Bosworth]

If you already have mud then it is too late to put the mats down. I gos some down on the dry gateways and then covered them with chipped trees/ chipped branches from the garden. they are standing up perfectly. If you try and put them down in mud they just end up lifting and becoming dangerous under foot

 

[now_loves_mares]

Oh that's not what I wanted to hear

It's more a case of the mud never went away. At least at the moment it is so cold the mud is freezing

Am I the only person longing the temperatures to stay below zero???