New Paddock Paradise Track

by Jo Jelly
(England)

Hi Sarah. It's strange how following a certain idea can open so many doors. I first became interested in natural horsemanship having been to a Mary Wanless seminar about 10 years ago. She introduced me to Parelli and thence to barefoot and to a whole new world compared to how things were when I first became interested in horses as a child. I became an assistant instructor in 1983 although have always worked in law firm to pay the rent! I am playing at Level Two Parelli and passed my Level One Equine Touch in September last year. In addition I run a small riding school and until recently did all my own trimming - time just seems to elude me these days. I also have five sheep to act as cross-grazers along with chickens for the eggs and their contribution to keeping the bugs down.

As I said, I have mixed herd of 13 horses/ponies (10 hands to 15.2 hands) who I keep barefoot and as natural as possible so was delighted when I came across your site. The track has worked superbly considering it has only been in operation for two weeks. I own ten acres made up of two five acre fields, a sanded corral area and four loose boxes. I put a track round the first five acres; I couldn't afford to do all ten at once. Almost immediately the horses started displaying different traits. Strangely enough they seem to move predominantly anti-clockwise around the track which was the opposite of what I anticipated having read Jaime Jackson's book. In which direction do your horses move or is it like water down the plughole depending on your position north or south of the equator!?

When I purchased the field it was arable land so I had the opportunity of laying the seed of my choice. I put down an equine pasture with plenty of timothy and herbage. The soil is good topsoil over a clay and sandstone base. It is situated at the top of a hill at 500 feet above sea level and although it floods in a heavy storm it is very quick to drain. I also find that although we have a high density of horses per acre, as they are all barefoot, the land does not poach too badly.

The horses have already started to wear tracks within the track itself and although I have not put down different surfaces, I am convinced they are displaying signs of hoof wear. In addition to corral and loose boxes, they have also always had access to a selection of mineral blocks (garlic and magnesium). Water is sourced from the roof so no additional chemicals there. I put calcified seaweed on the fields. I also let the nettles and thistles grow and then pull them systematically each evening to provide additional fibre/nutrition.

I will take some pictures of the track as it stands at the moment and let you see our setup. I am impressed the way it has instantly given us back the field to ride in and next year, who knows we may make haylage!

I do not anticipate being able to use the track all year round but certainly during the drier months. I plan on planting a wooded area and we have a banked area which floods which I intend to excavate and hopefully line to provide year-round water. We do not have mains water so the more we can save the better.

I have been impressed by how much more the horses move on the track compared with when they were field based. Certainly the first time we put them on the track they cantered round several times which was a joy to see.

If there was a downside to the track is it having to walk further to put out the haylage but I must say, I get a degree of pleasure in doing so and trying to find new places to hide piles to make the horses work for their feed.

Sarah's Reply:


The more I work the more I realize that it is finding abalance as every situation is different, hence the challenge for us all.
Even with loads of advice no single situation will ever be the same for another person, which is why we all have to study and no-one can do it all for us.

Hence your story is fascinating. I am sure your gut feel on the hooves and the wearing is correct.

Regarding your track. I have found it is important to take care of the track - think of it as another jumper in your wardrobe. You will use it and wear it, when appropriate, but if you over-use, it you may muck it up too much. In other words, the track in time can become trashed due to our wet weather in the UK. This is worth avoiding as the horses then move less.
With regards to making hay. I am sure you will be able to make hay next year. This is ideal, as you not only get your land back in the summer, you are also able to make your own hay. It is a 'win win' situation.