Innovations in Confinement Area Horse-Keeping | TheHorse.com
Innovations in Confinement Area Horse-Keeping | TheHorse.com
Ever since I became a horse owner I have been a seeker of all things natural for horsekeeping. From pasture and paddock rotation to organic fly control and interactive curiosity stimuation. This article by Alayne Blickle for TheHorse.com, discusses an novel way (at least to me) to design and manage confinement areas for horses. Specifically, how to "keep it from becoming a muddy smelly equine prison."
I cannot agree more emphatically with one horseowner interviewed, Kelly Munro. She says, “I believe that quality turnout time is one of the most important things for horses, so we want to create really healthy, enjoyable turnout spaces for each horse that are usable year-round."
Kelly's solution surpised me. She designs her paddock/turnout/sacrifice areas by creating "track paddocks" with "rain gardens!" A rain garden consists of a "shallow depressions in the ground stocked with native plants that capture and hold rainwater—like a mini-pond that drains over time. They help control surface water runoff and resulting mud."
The author goes on to define a "track paddock" as an area that generally has a "permanent fencing on the outside and temporary fencing on the inside. But you can shape a track paddock any number of ways, including circling around a building or arena or weaving through a trail course." Combined with the rain garden horses are provided with a self-muck managing exercise and lounging area.
Alayne Blickle brings to our attention that horses need "enrighment opportunities," which includes ways to stimulate "horse’s natural instincts, as exhibited in the wild, stimulate and facilitate movement," which helps keep a horse physically and mentally sound, equine nutrition, as well as ways integrating ways that help captive animals live healthier, less stressful lives so they are able to spend time doing things they’d do normally in the wild. Sensory stimulation, environment, feeding, toys and socialzing are all part of an enriched life.
But that's not all. Alyane includes very important pointers for managing the surface footing, which BTW works for both paddocks and stalls! All around a great article of information and inspiration!
Ever since I became a horse owner I have been a seeker of all things natural for horsekeeping. From pasture and paddock rotation to organic fly control and interactive curiosity stimuation. This article by Alayne Blickle for TheHorse.com, discusses an novel way (at least to me) to design and manage confinement areas for horses. Specifically, how to "keep it from becoming a muddy smelly equine prison."
I cannot agree more emphatically with one horseowner interviewed, Kelly Munro. She says, “I believe that quality turnout time is one of the most important things for horses, so we want to create really healthy, enjoyable turnout spaces for each horse that are usable year-round."
Kelly's solution surpised me. She designs her paddock/turnout/sacrifice areas by creating "track paddocks" with "rain gardens!" A rain garden consists of a "shallow depressions in the ground stocked with native plants that capture and hold rainwater—like a mini-pond that drains over time. They help control surface water runoff and resulting mud."
The author goes on to define a "track paddock" as an area that generally has a "permanent fencing on the outside and temporary fencing on the inside. But you can shape a track paddock any number of ways, including circling around a building or arena or weaving through a trail course." Combined with the rain garden horses are provided with a self-muck managing exercise and lounging area.
Alayne Blickle brings to our attention that horses need "enrighment opportunities," which includes ways to stimulate "horse’s natural instincts, as exhibited in the wild, stimulate and facilitate movement," which helps keep a horse physically and mentally sound, equine nutrition, as well as ways integrating ways that help captive animals live healthier, less stressful lives so they are able to spend time doing things they’d do normally in the wild. Sensory stimulation, environment, feeding, toys and socialzing are all part of an enriched life.
But that's not all. Alyane includes very important pointers for managing the surface footing, which BTW works for both paddocks and stalls! All around a great article of information and inspiration!
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