Gate way mud and how to avoid it?

[Moobucket]

We've got a lovely 5 acre field for winter turn out and its on a slight slope so it doesn't get too muddy. The only problem is the gate hole at the bottom which gets the most use and is where the water collects. Does anyone have any handy solutions? Can you use rubber matting in the gate way? What do you use?

 

[shadowboy]

We have old broken up rubble with a woodchip coating over the top which allows the rain to drain but an even surface. Works very well

 

[TigerTail]

If its wet rather than muddy dig drainage channels with a spade away from the gateway and either into a dyke/drain/road etc whatevers nearest!

With 5 acres you shouldnt have that much paddling unless you are going in adn out in a car every day which should obviously be avoided.

Put hay bales far away from the gate, same with water etc so there is nothing of interest for the horses so they dont stand there.

If it was getting so bad I didnt think I could get the muck trailer out id electric fence a coral around it to keep them off it.

 

[dominica]

Our land sounds very similar to yours, and of course when it is time to come in the horses stand at the gate entrance turning it in to a mud bog, oh it was awful. We have now this winter had a area of roughly 12ft x 13ft dug out and filled in with rock / slate about a foot deep at the gate entrance, OH MY GOD it is wonderful, I can now go and bring in the horses without a speck of mud attacking my clothes and the horses who still stand at the gate entrance, now have mud free legs, it bloody wonderful!

 

[HarlequinSeren]

I have a thick layer of rubble/rock under the topsoil at the gate for good drainage so most of the time it's not too bad. When winter starts coming and it gets a bit soggy I put a bit of old carpet down. Stops the majority of the mud right away. Take it away when the spring comes et viola! The grass grows again just dont leave it down too long or the grass grows through it and roots it down