Back to Basics
Mud is miserable for both horses and people . Not only is it difficult and even dangerous to walk through , it often sets the stage for serious health issues including mud fever , thrush , and breathing problems caused by the dust generated by dried mud . Here are four things you can do right now to mitigate your mud :
Control Where Water Is Flowing
After it rains , walk around your paddocks to see where the ground is soggy and where it ’ s dry . Since water moves over the path of least resistance , it can be redirected by simply digging a shallow trench . Later , when you have time and conditions are good , you can turn any used shallow trenches into permanent French drains , berms , or swales .
Avoid Making More Mud
Be diligent about picking up manure . Manure can break down in just a few days under the right conditions . The less there is , the less mud you ’ ll be dealing with in your paddocks .
Make sure water isn ’ t running off your roof into your paddocks . If you don ’ t have gutters and downspouts , or if they aren ’ t in good working order , direct water away from paddocks by digging a shallow trench the length of the eaves , and slope it at least five percent toward one end to an area of trees or grass , ensuring that it flows away from your barn and paddocks . You can top the trench with pea gravel to keep it free from organic matter such as manure , hay , and shavings .
If you have working gutters and downspouts , check to see where they are draining . If they are draning into your paddocks , add drainpipe extensions to direct it elsewhere .
Add A Little More Footing
After you address any drainage issues , adding more footing can help decrease mud even more . If you are using gravel with fines , use a minimum of 4 to 8 inches ,
8 • Walking On
Mud Management Tips
making sure it slopes away from buildings . Gravel with fines will eventually compact but you will need to keep it level until it does . If you are using loose grave or sand , make it deep to create a good barrier , but no so deep that it ’ s difficult for horses to walk on . If you ’ re working on a very wet area , it would be better to use compacted gravel or road fabric beneath the loose gravel or sand . With both gravel and sand you ’ ll need a separate area to feed so your horses don ’ t ingest anything . When using sand , make sure it is a type that will drain during heavy rains and not turn into a slurry . Finally , if you are using a wood product , layer it 8 to 12 inches thick so that it forms a solid , firm mat that will make a long-lasting barrier between the ground and horses hooves .
Consider Renovation
Do some online research and consult your local extension office to get additional tips on managing mud . Talk with other horse owners that have faced similar problems and find out how they solved them . Once you have an idea of what you need to do , determine a budget while keeping in mind the lifespan of your project to see what materials make sense and will be cost-effective and successful .