Muddy field feeding location and gate

[A.R.B]

Was wondering if people had money-saving ideas for muddy field location. They have been sectioned off into a fairly large area for winter. (Livery yard but get the freedom to do as we want as only 2 off us but as it isn't our ground we didn't want to spend too much or go crazy). The electric fence stops just in front of my 2 boys stables. Before the mud got so bad they were being fed at the bottom of the field as we throw out haylage daily and they come in at night. The bottom of the field is good still grass there but of course, they love to stand in the other half of the muddy field watching you do everything and we do now feed here as it is the easiest location for us. There is a slightly concreted area here which the haylage goes on to the stop it being trampled and one of them at a time can stand on this then they seem to move around. They do also have access to an old sand lunge pen, so I am not too concerned about them in the mud all day as there is areas they can move their butts to if they used their brains. But we have thought of a bit of gravel with stable mats on top? But I was worried they might slip or that the mats would just be trampled into the mud. The ground is quite rocky underneath the feeding area you'd struggle to get an electric fence post in where you wanted it and have to just keep sticking it into the ground until you get lucky.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Jelka or mud control mats. Not cheap but moveable and do a brilliant job and you can always add more as and when finances permit. Grass mats will sink and become dangerous.

 

[asmp]

Jelka or mud control mats. Not cheap but moveable and do a brilliant job and you can always add more as and when finances permit. Grass mats will sink and become dangerous.

You can lift mud control mats too so if you can take them with you if you move yards or want to change the area they’re laid in.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Another recommending mud control mats too. We aren't able to get a pallet load delivered due to access so just went and collected 50 in my sheep trailer. Very impressed so far. They resell easily too if you no longer need them.

 

[ChanceEquine0809]

Another vote for mud control mats, I bought half a pallet worrying that they wouldn’t be worth the hype however I’m blown away. They’re an absolute life saver and I wish I bought 3 pallets (not that I could afford that!). I’ve tried everything before, and most mats etc are just dangerous, whereas the Mudcontrols haven’t moved an inch and my boys choose to stand on them to have their hay. If there’s one equine product I couldn’t live without it’s these.

 

[JackFrost]

A few years ago I put down a lorry load of wood chippings in a muddy area - the stuff the tree surgeon has after it's been through the chipper, not the flakey stuff you buy. It worked really well, gives a soft topping but drains brilliantly. It is still going strong, has settled but not gone to mush and isn't slippery. The tree surgeon is delighted to deliver for free because they always have loads to get rid of.
(just check there there is no yew or invasive species, but the horses don't try to eat it.)