10 tips for Setting up a Safe Paddock

This article is from the January 2021 Horse Deals magazine.

1. Space Counts

The general rule of thumb is one horse to 1.5 acres of suitable turnout pasture. Factors that you will need to consider when determining the size of turnout include the amount of usable land, the number of horses on turnout, and how long they will be out on the pasture if that is their main nutrition source.

2. Safe Fencing

Barbwire and ringlock fencing is a disaster waiting to happen. Replace with equine fencing solution — suitable options advertised in each issue of Horse Deals. If you cannot replace dangerous fencing, there are a number of inexpensive electric fencing options available to run off the existing fencing.

Top tip - The ideal height for horse fencing is a minimum of 1.35m up to 1.50m.

3. Gate Safety

Ideally, gates should be 12 to 16 feet wide and installed in the middle of a fence line that will allow access to larger machinery e.g., a tractor. A gate should swing both ways for human and horse safety. The gate should be close in height to a fence line and a snug fit to the fence post. All latches and closures should face away from the pasture side of the fence to avoid any injury to the horse.

Top tip - Ensure the gate fill is safe. For example; if using metal gates, that the mesh fill is small, so a horse cannot put a foot through the mesh.

4. Water

Access to fresh, clean water 24/7 is a must. Allow clear access if installing a trough, as horses tend to congregate around troughs; therefore location is vital — avoid placing troughs in corners or close to a fence line. Troughs should be cleaned regularly and checked daily for any unwanted debris.

5. Shelter

Australia’s climate varies greatly, and horses require protection against the elements. Natural shelters such as tree belts need to offer protection from the sun, wind and rain. If a structural shelter is required, consider your location, climate, number of horses usually paddocked together, to make an informed decision on the most suitable shelter for the horse’s needs.

Top tip - Check with your council for approval before installing a shelter.

6. High Traffic Areas

High traffic locations where horses congregate are usually around troughs or gateways. These locations will usually erode quickly to bare soil in summer and mud in winter. Small gravel pebbles or inexpensive post peelings are a safe and ideal filler for high traffic areas.

7. Weekly Inspections

Horses have the knack of injuring themselves on just about anything. To reduce the risk, walk the paddock and the fence lines and check for fallen limbs, loose wires, rocks and holes that could pose any danger. It is best to be safe than sorry.

8. Social Interaction

Social interaction is essential to a horse’s health and welfare, and in an ideal situation, horses are best paddocked together. If your horse cannot be paddocked with others, paddock next to another horse, or at least with visual access to other horses. If paddocking next to another horse, ensure there is either a laneway separating the horses or electric fencing to help reduce the risk of injury with playing or fighting over the fence.

9. Rest Periods

Overgrazing pastures grazed below three inches will decimate grasses; therefore graze free rest periods are required to allow for rejuvenation. Rotational grazing is ideal, where horses are moved from one paddock to another for a minimum of two weeks. If this is not an option, temporarily closing off half the acreage using safe electric fencing provides a simple and effective rest period solution.

10. Pasture Maintenance

From small to large acreage, the management of pasture is critical. Horses will not graze where they defecate, and many horses tend to use the same location in a paddock as their toilet area. Regular removal of manure, either poo pick-up or dragging paddocks, will help maintain pasture and control parasites’ spread.

Top tip - An old gate can be used behind a vehicle to drag a paddock.

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