Paddock Paradise

[No_Angel]

What are your views on the Paddock Paradise that Jamie Jackson suggests is the better way to keep barefoot horses?

http://www.performancebarefoot.co.uk/page64.html

(this place looks fantastic)
http://wildhooves.wordpress.com/

[Est]

It's a really interesting idea. I found the second site easier to visualise because although they say they haven't read the book, it seems pretty similar in concept, and it's got all those photos (gorgeous horses, gorgeous scenery *drool*) instead of a diagram. Has anyone on NR tried this? Would be interesting to hear some experiences and see photos! :)

[coss]

that is such a good idea but not completely practical.

the diagram was a little confusing. you would need a huge area surely, and do the horses roam on the haylage crop? if so, when do you crop it and where do you put them when you do? i think for the land area u'd need for it you'd also need a lot of horses.
we have a natural pond. i now block it off as the horses poohed in it and it has algae (sp?) and is disgusting... we also get tadpoles and i was worried the horses would drink them :D:p
it is a good idea though and i can imagine it would be very good for the hooves :)

[No_Angel]

i think the concept is that they walk around different surfaces, like sones and sand, around the edge of the field on a track, and the haylage area is used to feed the horses.

im quite interesed in the idea, might have to get the book.

[Yann]

Certainly seems to be the way to get really good bare feet. The main hindrance to that in this country is too much soft pasture and too much grass. It's possible to do this sort of thing effectively in a small paddock too and would be a far better way to keep horses going through the winter say than simply standing in a mud bath for 12 hours a day. It's also far healthier and stimulating mentally than grazing in limited turnout areas for example.

The main problem is that you can't set something like this up unless you have your own place or are very lucky. I think it's very important that it doesn't impact on the horse's ability to socialise either.

[No_Angel]

thanks yann:)

i am thinking about it, as i think it would keep Shay occupied mentally, keep my 2 girls feet worn down as they grow very quickly as they arent worked much, and thankfully we have land that we can do as we like on.

anyone know where i can ge thte book? cant find it on amazon

[Est]

Can only find a US site that ships to the UK:

http://www.thehorseshoof.com/book_pp.html

This page has suggestions based on the book:

http://www.thewholehoof.co.uk/welfare.htm

[No_Angel]

thanks est:)

[LokiSofi]

very interesting. if i had my own land id give it a go but cant see my YO being too pleased if I make a circuit round the field and scatter sand and rocks etc.:p