How to Build a Horse Paddock

Horse paddocks are enclosed areas of grassland used for grazing horses. Grazing is important for horses,because they are trickle feeders. That means they need a constant supply of small amounts of fiber to keep their digestive systems healthy. Grazing also helps horses stretch back and neck muscles correctly, and keeps their teeth healthy. The ideal paddock is enclosed with safe, sturdy fencing and provides shelter, shade and water.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Fencing
  • Water supply
  • Shelter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Plan the size of your paddock. The recommended size is one acre for the first horse and half an acre for each additional horse. It is best to have at least two paddocks, because horses are very heavy grazers and do not allow grass a chance to recover. A horse on a small paddock will also churn it into mud in wet weather. If you have a system of two paddocks, one can be rested while the other is grazed.

    • 2

      Consider your fencing options. Any fencing must be sturdy and set into strong posts. The ideal option is wooden post and rail, but this can be expensive to buy and maintain, and needs regular checking for rot. Another option is vinyl fencing, but this can disintegrate if horses rub against it. A simple and cheap solution is to protect the fence with an electrified wire. Never use barbed wire for a horse fence, or anything with sharp or rough edges.

    • 3

      Decide where to put the gateway. This should be convenient for you so that you do not have to walk too far when moving horses from paddock to barn. Horses like to stand at the gate when waiting to come in, and can quickly turn a gateway into a sea of mud. Put down gravel or sand to protect the surface. The gate should be wide enough to allow plenty of room for the horse and handler to pass side by side, and allow room on both sides of the gate so that you can turn the horse round to fasten the gate catch.

    • 4

      Plan the paddock amenities. The paddock will need a constant source of clean water. Ponds are not normally sufficient because it is hard to access them, and the water may stagnate. The ideal solution is an automatic watering trough. If you fill a trough by hand, put it as near to the tap as possible so that you do not have to carry the water too far.

    • 5

      Allow for shelter. Your horse will need shelter from bad weather and require shade in hot weather. Mature trees are ideal for summer shade, but provide little protection in the winter. Consider erecting a field shelter in a corner of the paddock, angling it away from the prevailing weather.

    • 6

      Check your paddock for poisonous plants. Many evergreen plants are poisonous to horses, as are many common kinds of weed. Horses will normally ignore poisonous plants unless other food is scarce, for example, due to drought. Check the paddock regularly, and remove or fence off anything poisonous.