Muddy Field - Should I make a turnout paddock?

[Murphy3]

The boys had a knees-up in the field on Monday after heavy rain over the weekend and its got really trashed in places - didn't see them at it but they must have been doing the Derby and wheelies all over the place.

We've had heavy rain the past week and the field is very soft so I'm thinking I'll have to limit their turnout to a section of the field with hay. They come in at night so are out roughly 12 hours and I don't want to cut their turnout time down. I was thinking of limiting them for a few weeks and when (if) it dries up let them have the full space again.

I'd just be interested for any ideas. The field seems to be in worse shape this year and I haven't had to consider limiting them in winter before. I have a 2 horse/2 acre set-up.

Or should I consider emigration to a drier climate - it seems to be getting progressively warmer and wetter here in Ireland and it was wet enough to begin with!

 

[Donkeymad]

If you are happy to give hay, personally, I would limit their space and allow for the fact that that area will become totally trashed.

 

[madhector]

I am about to do this with mine, have a section of field that I used for lunging until it was too wet and it is pretty trashed already so they will move in their in a week or so with hay to save the rest of the field

 

[Marilyn]

I have the same problem but my two are out 24/7. I have a little lorry full of wood chip put down on feeding area and gateway on monday and it has done a bit of good...planning on getting a load of bark at the weekend too to try and help...might this be an option for you in the damaged area?

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

We are sectioning our field this weekend, we have three horses and one foal out 24/7 on four acres of free draining soil, but the weather is so bad the field is really suffering. I'm going to give them about 1.5 acres to trash about in!

 

[Petrie]

My worry with this is that the 'trashed' area will get so bad that it won't recover, but if they're allowed the whole space, then the field should recover come the spring.

An acre per horse should be enough for them. I'd be inclined just to leave it.

 

[Murphy3]

Thanks for your answers - have decided today to fence off an area for them - its been pouring all day and forecast doesn't look great. The area I'm putting them on is where I ride/lunge so it can be sorted out in spring.