Paddocks

Protection

Paddock horses must have adequate grass to maintain condition and fed at least once daily. Horses cannot be maintained in good health on any patch of vacant land.

A safely fenced paddock needs good grazing and windbreak protection. Horses will often stand under trees seeking shade and relief from flies, but two sided sheds are better.

Paddock horses should be checked daily. They have been known to die of thirst when caught in paddock fences. Water troughs and ponds can dry up, or the water can become non-potable.

Paddocks should not be on the side of steep hills without flat ground where horses can roll or lie down.

Fencing

Horses can get hurt in fences. They gallop into them because they do not see them or are unable to stop in time. Horses get down beside fencing and roll or paw at the fencing and get their legs caught. Some horses that have tangled with fences and survived will remain completely still and wait for help.

Good post-and-rail fencing of sawn timber prevents injuries. Constructing fences that horses can see helps avoid injuries. Electric fencing helps to safely contain horses.

Gates

Gates can cause injuries. Horses can get a leg caught in gaps between gates and their supporting posts, or get their heads trapped. Gates should be examined for potential danger spots when they are open and closed. The bars should be spaced so that a horse cannot get its head through, or can easily withdraw it if it does. Gates separating the yards of young horses need special attention because colts will rear up and play over the top of a gate. Gates should have no projections and no sharp edges.

Grasses

Kentucky Bluegrass is well adapted to different climate and soil types. It is palatable and high in nutritional value, withstanding close grazing and trampling. Kentucky Bluegrass is winter hardy but does not tolerate low moisture conditions.

Alfalfa adapts to the soil and moisture of an area and can be used as legume mix in horse pastures. Alfalfa is drought tolerant and winter hardy but will not withstand close grazing in a pasture.