Paddock Paradise

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Donkeymad

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So, who has heard of this system, and has anybody tried it?
It has been devised by a farrier turned trimmer in the states (I think) and is supposed to be a good way of imitating nature and helps keep horses/ponies slim and occupied and, when implemented fully, enhances the feet of the unshod hoof.

You can find out more by googling 'paddock paradise' and/or 'Jaime jackson'.

The basics. Horses have a track around/through fields, there are obstacles for them to jump, different surfaces to 'trim' the hooves, a water bath to moisten them, etc.

Any thoughts please. I can see it being very difficult for those on livery yards, but if you had the space, would you want to try it?


*Donkeymad dashes off to hide before being bombarded with NH type sarcasm*
tongue.gif
 
...to do in their own time or to be ridden over?

I think if I put jumps in my horses field she would scratch on them and ignore them! You wouldnt catch my horses expelling any energy they didnt *have* to!!
 
i think its fascinating but if my TB was moving all day she would be a) footsore and b) as thin as a rake!!

brilliant idea IMO but wouldn't work for anything except fat ponies.
 
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brilliant idea IMO but wouldn't work for anything except fat ponies.

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My trainer does this and all hers have excellent feet but TBH mine would turn the 'strip' into a boggy mess in a matter of hours. Nah, am quite up for the natural approach but this was going a bit far, AND I'd have to walk even further with a barrow full of pooh!
 
My pony is a recovering laminitic and a friends farrier suggested this system.
I think my OH would have a hernia if he saw the amount of electric fencing that would be required.
Sounds great but not sure how practical it is
 
Elaine has done this at the Herefordshire Sanctuary - there are a few threads on the EMW forum about it. http://equinemarketwatch.myfreeforum.org/about74.html
Needs planning to incorporate different areas - stony, muddy, grazing lawn, rolling area, and all forage feed and water needs to be distributed along it.
She says it has toned up her fatties, they have lost weight and reduced their lammi risk, and kept their bare feet in great shape.
In addition, there will be some long grass in the centre which can be used for those needing a bit more condition, or as fibre in winter when it is dead "foggage".
There will be info on it at our Open Day on August 9th if anyone would like to come and find out. Mine isn't set up, I don't have ponies with a weight problem but there will be a couple of enthusiasts who have researched it well.

http://www.webz.org.uk/pdf/POSTERJUNE10.pdf
 
I love the idea and its something I'm considering doing to some degree.
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I do try to make my fields and paddocks as interesting as possible as my lot live in them 24/7..
 
It has it's good points I think.

Mine are having a track this winter but only because I have finally got ring fencing up and it is convenient for me. Half mile oval track, about three acres of pasture, three separate wooded areas, shelters and they can stay there over winter. It doesn't matter what is on the ground, or how much grass there is because it will all be covered in snow/ice anyway.
 
What a positive response. It does seem very much a good system for helping laminitics.
Thank you for all your repsonses.
 
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