Starvation paddocks in winter - what happens?

[shepherd]

Do they just end up as a big mud bath? Ours is at the top of the hill. There's very little grass and I put out hay and a snak-a-ball with spillers hi-fibre cubes as it's a 'can't tolerate grass' issue not a weight issue. What will happen when the winter comes? Any ideas to keep it ok?

 

[Tia]

Hope it doesn't rain.......and in England that's a pretty big hope!

It really does depend a lot on the type of soil you have in your field, how large the field is and how many horses are in the field.

 

[malibu211211]

The starvation paddocks at our old yard were always closed in the winter.
It depends what the ground is like, on top of a hill you may be ok as hopefully the water will drain away

Is the horse/pony stabled at night in the winter?

 

[Honeypots]

My starvation padock is part of my main field so in winter I just open up the whole lot. That way it gets used all year so doesn't get rested but doesn't get trashed. That way come the spring it's ready to be used right away...

 

[dieseldog]

Can you hardcore where you put the hay?

 

[shepherd]

I could maybe put mats down where the hay goes, so they (two ponies) could stand off the grass to eat in winter. I was wondering about fencing off an area and putting mats down or woodchips in there as they really can't cope with grass at any time of the year. It's not tiny and they are best friends so I have room to do that. Would that be the best option?

 

[dieseldog]

You don't want them standing in mud all day as that will cause you other problems, would also be easier to keep clean of muck if it wasn't too muddy. Not sure how slippy mats might get in the wet.

 

[kerilli]

don't put woodchip down if it's clay, cos it will prob just mix in. if it's sandy or other good-draining soil, woodchip would be ideal, i think. if you have clay, maybe put a geotextile membrane down first.

 

[PeterNatt]

What is the soil type?
Put drainage in - that will make it stand up to the elements far better.