Keeping Horses in Small Paddocks- Things to consider.

We all wish we could have sprawling ancestral acres for our beautiful ponies to roam and be happy….. However the reality can be the exact opposite.

Quite often, we have smaller land lots to house our horses. This means small paddocks….. But small paddocks don’t need to be a smelly, muddy, bare ground mess.

With some simple planning and thought, you can create a really happy, stimulating, and healthy environment for your horses to live in.

It’s about designing your horses living environment by taking into account their specific needs; not what space you simply have available.

With regards to small paddocks, the key is all about trying to create an environment which is stimulating whilst comfortable, whilst being clean and healthy.

Consider some of the below points when considering setting out your small paddocks for your ponies.

Ground Integrity –

Ground Cover:

Ensure the ground can be protected somewhat. Obviously with a small area, the ground will get more work than usual. As such, it is more likely to turn to mud and subject to erosion.

To prevent this, consider always having an area which is a touch higher, with a good ground cover such as sand, or some other medium which won’t damage their hooves.

At the very least, identify the high traffic areas and place this ground cover in those areas…..

The healthier the ground is the healthier the pony will be…..

Shade Cover:

We all love a bit of shade when it's either very hot or very wet......  so do your ponies.

So be sure to provide adequate shade especially if you live in a really hot place.  Just remember to ensure that the shade structure is safe, high enough and made sturdy enough that it won't fall down or they can't push it over when they scratch up against it.

Also, ensure that the ground cover is suitable.  You want to ensure that you don't allow it to become boggy and wet...... PLUS you should clean the shade area regularly.... which brings me to my next point to consider.

Manure Management:

In a small paddock it is important to manage your manure levels.

This is a key part of maintaining your ground integrity. Ensure you have a way to clean up the manure on a regular basis. Whether it be simply picking it up with a spade and wheel barrow, or using something more sophisticated, it just needs to be high on your list of things to do to help your small paddock stay healthy.

Feeding Time - 

Method:

Feeding time is one of the most fun moments, other than riding, you can have with your horse….. So why not make it fun and interesting for your pony as well as for you?

Consider feeding in different parts of the paddock……. This will help prevent erosion if you feed in one place all the time, but it will also keep things interesting for your horse.

Why not even consider making eating a challenge…. Make them work for it, add in some hanging hay nets or the likes so that they can’t scoff their food so quickly. This will help them keep entertained if nothing else…..

Feed

Spice up their diet as well with different types feed such as hay and grains etc…. Don’t just feed the same pony mix 100% of the time.

We like variety in our diet, so why wouldn’t they…..

Even consider hiding a few Horse Treats around the place. They will love the challenge of the forage and then enjoy the reward even more.

Companions

Remember, horses are social animals. In the wild they run in herds…… So consider socializing them regularly…

Yes, they will love seeing you….. and you are most definitely important in their eyes; but there is no substitute for allowing them to mix with other horses.

Ideally, if you have two horses you allow them in the same paddock, or at the very least, allow them to be able to see each other….. Obviously how close you paddock them depends on how well they get on, but if they get an opportunity to be social on a regular basis, however it happens, they will be happier for it.

Also, go on a ride, or attend pony clubs where other horse will be….. this is great for both your ponies social interactions as well as for yours!

Mix up their Environment

Change Paddocks

If you are able to; change their paddocks. Even if it is directly next to their existing one.

This will do two things, firstly, it gives the existing paddock a chance to recover. This point circles back to the first thought of ground integrity…. By looking after your earth, you look after your horse…

Secondly, the change of paddock gives a certain amount of stimulation to your pony. They have a different place to explore with different smells and slightly different terrain etc…. even if it is directly next to them…..it’s still different!

Toys

You can also consider putting certain toys in their paddocks as well.

This gives them a complete change to the everyday and gets them enjoying new challenges.

Of course, you don’t put anything in their paddock that could cause them damage or be toxic, but something like tires or large beach balls or slow feeders could be a great distraction.

Handle Often

Make sure you spend a lot of time with your ponies….. not just feed time.

Treat them like they are part of your family.

Spend time with them to show them how much you care.

Do this by grooming them, massaging them and simply patting them.

Also, make the time to train them. This keeps them stimulated, challenged and above all, increases the bonds between you and your pony.

Make sure you give them some cool looking, and useful, Horse Training Treats to reward them for doing such a good job….

Even if this reward is a simple carrot…… they love being rewarded, just like we do.

Anyway, these are just some simple ideas to consider when you are getting a horse and you only have a small land area to deal with.

Just because you can only give them small paddocks doesn’t mean that they won’t have an awesome, interesting, life……

Bottom line is this; Treat your ponies well, treat your paddocks well, and you will have happy horses in return….

Hope this gives you some ideas and perhaps confidence as well.

Thank-you for your support from the team @ Huds and Toke.

Please feel free to take some photos and share them with us….. make sure you tag into our socials.

@hudsandtoke

#hudsandtokefamily

PS: Please feel free to post a review on one of these review sites…….we appreciate the thought and it all helps. Thanks.

Product Review

Yellow Pages

Facebook

Google Reviews