Muddy gateways

[Hutchlou]

Other than resting a field for a while (how long?!!) or using an alternate entrance, is it possible to do anything to prevent gateways from becoming a churned up mudbath at this time of the year?

 

[Lordy100]

You can matting that you can put down, the grass can grow through it.

 

[tasteofchristmaschaos]

If the gateway isn't yet muddy you can put down grass mats. You get them at playgrounds - plastic with holes in to let the grass grow through.
Or if it is muddy you can either a) dig a trench and put hardcore down (but obviously it would have to be your own field to do this, or speak to the livery mananger) or b) put bark chippings down

 

[JamesEarwaker]

I no its not easy but try and make the field have 2 entrances, gives 1 a break. Best thing to do if its already muddy or you no its going to get muddy with all the traffic keep going throught it and all the rain, is to dig out the gateway and put hardcore down, bark chippings are ok for a time but will soon get back down to mud.

 

[Ladylina83]

The gateway in my field has really poor soil quality from winters gone by - In NewZealand when I was there they put lime gravel down which not only solved the mud issue but was also good for the horses feet apparently!

 

[monkeybum13]

By each gateway at the yard I'm at is a bit of hardcore. It works really well and is dirt cheap (please ignore the pun)

 

[Spottyappy]

I have hardcore, but also electric tape the gateways off, so although the field stays muddy, the gates and grass leading up to them are usually not too bad. Taping the grass leading into the gateway, stops the horses milling about there when turned out, and keeps the gates much less muddy.

 

[GinaGem]

We have an old dug up tennis court surface in our gateways - works perfectly