Paddock paradise/track system

[MiniMilton]

I want to set one up but most of the examples online are in drier countries so i'm not sure what to do with our soggier ground. In theory my fields should be perfect for paddock paradise as they are rough and rugged and hilly in sections. It also poses some obstacles though. I have a few questions:

What happens when the track becomes very muddy and poached?

When installing sections of gravel tracks do I need to remove the topsoil first? And how deep for the gravel?

My fields have some very hilly sections, how do I surface the slippy parts?

Is it ok to go through large marshy sections?

Some areas along the perimeter have very large boulders, is this okay to have these on the track? Or should I widen it in theses areas? They would be fine to walk through I'm just thinking about if the horses go for a canter they would have to slow right down.

If sections are quite steep will this discourage the horses from moving on the track?

Thanks!

 

[JillA]

Sorry, can't really advise - I have a track set up in summer on my relatively level dry ground, but I take it down for winer because it does get badly poached. And I don't do the different surfaces, because it is a summer only thing, but I hope someone comes along soon to help.

 

[ester]

ditto Jill, we run ours on a flat perimeter track in summer and it coped surprisingly well with the wet last year. It certainly wouldn't survive the winter though.

 

[Enfys]

I want to set one up but most of the examples online are in drier countries so i'm not sure what to do with our soggier ground. In theory my fields should be perfect for paddock paradise as they are rough and rugged and hilly in sections. It also poses some obstacles though. I have a few questions:

What happens when the track becomes very muddy and poached? Either take them off and rest it, or make a fresh track around that section.

When installing sections of gravel tracks do I need to remove the topsoil first? Doing it properly I would take the topsoil off, put larger stone down and then the gravel on top, no point wasting money and just having the gravel sink into the groundAnd how deep for the gravel? I think 4-6" Don't take my word as gospel though please

My fields have some very hilly sections, how do I surface the slippy parts? How steep is steep? Perhaps make the track zig zagged? Or put in steps?

Is it ok to go through large marshy sections? Yes, marsh is good - as long as it is marsh and not bottomless bog, give them an option though, some people have to purposefully flood sections to make a wet patch

Some areas along the perimeter have very large boulders, is this okay to have these on the track? Yes Or should I widen it in theses areas? again yes, gve them the optionThey would be fine to walk through I'm just thinking about if the horses go for a canter they would have to slow right down. On the whole, they aren't daft, generally they look after themselves, and should be encouraged to do so, makes for sensible, footsure animals

If sections are quite steep will this discourage the horses from moving on the track? No, not unless they are physically unable to cope with it

Have you read the book? Although, as you say, it is based around drier climes most of your queries are answered in it. Take what you need from it.

http://paddockparadise.com/

Good luck, I think track systems are excellent and beneficial in so many ways, both for horses and with a view to land management. One of these days I will do a proper one for mine too, not because I am a barefoot, bunny loving tree hugger, just because I believe it makes so much sense.

Have fun

I haven't had time to read through this so it may be a load of twaddle, but on the other hand, it may not:

http://paddockparadise.wetpaint.com/

 

[Jericho]

Sorry, can't really advise - I have a track set up in summer on my relatively level dry ground, but I take it down for winer because it does get badly poached. And I don't do the different surfaces, because it is a summer only thing, but I hope someone comes along soon to help.

same as this. I think if you have different terrain it works even better. I would probabaly avoid marshy areas but it could be beneficial for their hooves if they have access to damper cooler ground in the summer.

 

[amandap]

Here's one being created in Wales. http://www.performancebarefoot.co.uk/makingapaddockparadise.html Scroll through the pages.

 

[ester]

fwiw we do have an area of pea gravel near our gate area but it wasn't cheap!

 

[amandap]

Pea gravel is great but tbh I would only bother in a field (think bog as at my place) if hooves were rehabbing. Area of dry hard standing will do for more robust hooves imo.

 

[samlf]

I have a track only up from spring-autumn, I dont mind if it gets a little wet and muddy when I know it's going to dry out, but I think its counter-intuitive to leave them on a track when its just a mud bath.

I dont have any gravel/hard standing, mainly because I am on livery, but also because I have no need to do so.

 

[ester]

yup its just because I saw how much was being put down on the performancebarefoot site . We only got it for rehabbing purposes and he did use it for a whole day (after a night of charging about on the hard and making himself sore). Otherwise it is currently used for rolling as it is great when you are itchy and moulting (so I'm told!)

 

[MiniMilton]

wow thanks for all the replies

Have you read the book? Although, as you say, it is based around drier climes most of your queries are answered in it. Take what you need from it.

http://paddockparadise.com/

Good luck, I think track systems are excellent and beneficial in so many ways, both for horses and with a view to land management. One of these days I will do a proper one for mine too, not because I am a barefoot, bunny loving tree hugger, just because I believe it makes so much sense.

Have fun

I haven't had time to read through this so it may be a load of twaddle, but on the other hand, it may not:

http://paddockparadise.wetpaint.com/

I have read the book and loved it, and just wished I had the climate for it! It was only when I recently discovered HHO that I realised there were people installing tracks with less than favourable weather conditions. With another spring upon us I dread putting my lami's into the tiny diet paddocks for the next 6 months so I want to get it started asap

Here's one being created in Wales. http://www.performancebarefoot.co.uk/makingapaddockparadise.html Scroll through the pages.

That is a super link, although i'd say the gravel tracks cost a scary fortune! I have lami's in remedial shoes that I would eventually like to go barefoot so I will need some gravel areas

 

[amandap]

I have pea gravel in my yard, a big area that is the favourite rolling and sleeping area but I couldn't use it in gateways it would be trashed in 5 mins. If I ever get my road up the field so I can create a track I will now incorporate the yard into it. Sadly the wettest part of my fields is down outside the yard so I need a road (and new bridge argh!) to make it work unless we have a long, long drought. The second year I was here I had a temporary one but ever since it's been far too wet all year round.
I would choose a dry area for pea or put hard standing either side of it as mud soon gets in it and ruins it otherwise.

 

[ester]

ours makes part of our track so that they do walk on it/have free use, the inside of the gateway is a hardcord (albeit grassy!) yard and it is stoned to the left hand side too as that leads to the main lane gate. We dug a pit, added membrane and put it all ontop. It got very wet in winter (think large puddle ontop!) where the other sides of it weren't particularly bad and I don't think it will last for too long.

 

[Horses Naturally]

I want to set one up but most of the examples online are in drier countries so i'm not sure what to do with our soggier ground. In theory my fields should be perfect for paddock paradise as they are rough and rugged and hilly in sections. It also poses some obstacles though. I have a few questions:

What happens when the track becomes very muddy and poached?

I can help ... I have one ... moderate some FB pages on the concept. Ideally, you can do a bit of 'foundational' preparation similar to a gravel road.

It does not have to be extensive but in the same way that you would do some preparation before 'building' anything in a field, a bit of added dirt/clay/rock base (your local roads department could probably tell you at no charge) will help.
When installing sections of gravel tracks do I need to remove the topsoil first? And how deep for the gravel?

Here is a photo of a 'path' within one of the tracks in my PP. I am in California - and the ground is very rocky - but the point is to show you how narrow of an area the horses actually move along. Gravel does not need to be deep - and could be alternating dirt/rock/gravel spots.... (Again, look at ours, you see dirt and rock all mixed together.) Topsoil may or may not need to be removed ... depending upon what it is. https://www.facebook.com/AANHCP#!/p...12062319.52352.143747122314812&type=1&theater

My fields have some very hilly sections, how do I surface the slippy parts?

The horses will figure it out ... you likely do not have to surface these at all. Or you could add a design so that they can make their way up and down with less risk of erosion (you might want to join the PP group on Facebook).
Is it ok to go through large marshy sections? -

Sure - as long as it is 'safe.'

Some areas along the perimeter have very large boulders, is this okay to have these on the track? Or should I widen it in theses areas? They would be fine to walk through I'm just thinking about if the horses go for a canter they would have to slow right down.

Would need to see photos....

If sections are quite steep will this discourage the horses from moving on the track?

It depends upon how steep and whether or not they have no choice but to cross in order to get to food or water.... Hope this helps....Thanks!