layout of fields

[What.RU.Doin]

I am about to start fencing, finishing the interior of the stables, and bring my horse home, hopefully by July. My question is this. I have approx 2 acres. 2 horses will be coming home. What would you do? I've thought of a dry lot, connected to three paddocks. or a three sided track with gates on each end of the U but only using one to increase movement. Downside to the track is it decreases my area of paddocks, and would be muddy, as we would have to gravel it in stages. Ideas, thoughts suggestions?

 

[TheMule]

I can't see the photos but if possible I would have a central hard standing area where they can have hay etc in th winter with entrances into either 2 or all 3 of the paddocks from that to give you easy options. That way you will probably avoid too much mud from congragating as they'll come onto the hard standing and largely avoid you having to wade through wet fields to get the horses!

 

[What.RU.Doin]

Let me try links to the photos.

Original idea. Drylot, three grass paddocks. Drylot would not extend up the long side of the barn.

http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y538/crazybootlady/SketchLayout_zpsklyndeth.png

Track system idea
http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y538/crazybootlady/Screenshot%202018-04-30%20at%201.47.59%20PM_zps4dmrrd6a.png

 

[meleeka]

I have a similar sized field. My stables are in the middle with a hardcore drive to one side for me/farrier etc to access. The stables are open all the time and they use them all year. In summer I have a track round the whole lot in a figure 8 so the stables can still be used. There is a fence to half the field next to the stables which I can shut the back bit off if I choose.

 

[TGM]

I would suggest that you don't put in permanent fencing to start with, just electric fencing (with strategically placed wooden corner posts to prevent sagging). Often once you start using the land you realise that you might want to divide things up in a different way. What type of horses you have will influence how you divide it as well. If you have horses whose weight you struggle to get down then a track system might be best, otherwise, as suggested above an area of hardstanding that opens onto all the paddocks.

 

[supsup]

I could only see one of your pictures, but it looks like a long-ish area. You might do well with an "equicentral" type approach (http://www.sustainablestables.com/paddocks.html). The idea is to have a central all-weather area with shelter and water, and multiple fields, only one of which is used at any given time. The idea is that the horses will have to move because their only access to water is at the yard, and also their only shelter is at the yard. If it works, the horses supposedly spend more time "hanging out" in the central area than in the field, and move back and forth to access grazing.
Tracks are a great idea, but I think in the UK and without putting a surface down for the tracks, they often just become a mud ring, and the horses end up not moving around on them too much without some incentive (such as hay stations around the perimeter), which can be a lot of work. Also takes a lot of fencing.