Hello there, I am relatively new to the horsey world and have recently left my cosey and clean livery yard to rent my own field (6 weeks ago) with my sec A, sec C and IDx. Of course, 6 weeks ago the field was bone dry and fab- but now it is like hell on earth. The mud is so thick that it's more like a bog and it is very, very wet. I did partition the field this week and moved the horses to the driest part, but that is just as bad by today. As my stables haven't been built yet and they are using the copse as shelter I'm really worried about their legs and hoofs. Also, I've been hosing before riding (before reading that it's a no-no). Is this very bad? Can the horses cope for a while until the stable goes up? Thanks
Worried about muddy field
- Thread starter catgaga
- Start date
The hosing feet before riding is a matter of personal opinion and rather like marmite - either you do or you don't :biggrin:
If it's any consolation to you, my winter paddock gets very muddy (to the extent of being almost only that) but the horses are in at night so their legs get a chance to dry off (after having the mud hosed off)
In the mean time, you might want to consider using pig oil and sulphur on your horses' legs to avoid mud fever ? If any of yours are shod, you might want to pay particular attention that the shoes don't get sucked off in the mud.
When will your stables be finished ?
What about putting some hardcore in the area the horses stand so they have a harder (dryer) surface under foot ? I did this recently and it's really made a difference
If it's any consolation to you, my winter paddock gets very muddy (to the extent of being almost only that) but the horses are in at night so their legs get a chance to dry off (after having the mud hosed off)
In the mean time, you might want to consider using pig oil and sulphur on your horses' legs to avoid mud fever ? If any of yours are shod, you might want to pay particular attention that the shoes don't get sucked off in the mud.
When will your stables be finished ?
What about putting some hardcore in the area the horses stand so they have a harder (dryer) surface under foot ? I did this recently and it's really made a difference
I have the same problem with my field, a hard standing is brilliant gives them a chance to get out of the mud, the only other thing that i do is not fence any sections of the field i find that when they run up and down the fence lines the ground gets worse.
Fingers xd that your planning comes through quickly as hardstanding will really help.
We should start to get some hard frosts pretty soon which should also help dry up the mud a bit.
Welcome to NR by the way:biggrin:
We should start to get some hard frosts pretty soon which should also help dry up the mud a bit.
Welcome to NR by the way:biggrin:
i make a sulphur cream product. Contains sulphur and essential oils for promoting healthy skin. Easier to apply than the pig oil and doesnt leave that oily effect.
PM me if you want to know more!
PM me if you want to know more!
Will they manage? Well, they'll have to won't they 
They'll be fine, I personally don't hose legs (see my answer on any Mud Fever thread!) but some people swear by it.
How big is your field?
They'll be fine, I personally don't hose legs (see my answer on any Mud Fever thread!) but some people swear by it.
How big is your field?
Occupational hazard really of wintering horses outside!! Unless you have amazing drainage, all the fields at my yard become bogs by the gate.
My dad is an engineer and has made rumblings about what you could do engineering-wise to draw the water away and prevent the mud building up. But inevitably any solutions are expensive.
Don't worry too much, they will cope. Ditto above, putting in a hard standing area and making efforts to protect from mud fever, about all you can do.
Laying concrete where the water runs to, or where they spend most time standing (often by the gate) can work, just avoid smooth concrete that'd get slippy in the rain.
Do you really need planning permission to lay hard standing?
My dad is an engineer and has made rumblings about what you could do engineering-wise to draw the water away and prevent the mud building up. But inevitably any solutions are expensive.
Don't worry too much, they will cope. Ditto above, putting in a hard standing area and making efforts to protect from mud fever, about all you can do.
Laying concrete where the water runs to, or where they spend most time standing (often by the gate) can work, just avoid smooth concrete that'd get slippy in the rain.
Do you really need planning permission to lay hard standing?
we're allowed a hard standing gateway without planning but that's it. And we wouldn't get away with just putting it down because the nearest neighbours are vicious! I think it's a shock to the system after having a cosy little stable block. And the guilt of seeing them looking dirty is also playing on my mind. I probably mind it more than they do!
Yeah Im suprised at planning for hard standing... I didnt even ask landowner to put it down 
(though he has always said if its in the interests of the field he doesnt mind).
I just paid a local builder to digger tip a load of stones essentially - rather than concerete. I know it will need topping up at some point, but its lasted 9months without sinking or vanishing (though I had a LOT put down).
(though he has always said if its in the interests of the field he doesnt mind). I just paid a local builder to digger tip a load of stones essentially - rather than concerete. I know it will need topping up at some point, but its lasted 9months without sinking or vanishing (though I had a LOT put down).
PS Having stables put up will ease your mind probably... or it has with mine - they hate being in and try to escape at every opportunity!
yes, Bart the pony used to hate being brought in and that's one of the reasons I moved. And little Sunny and Tigger have wintered out before they came to me. But i can't help feeling cruel. Let's hope all the planning goes through quick and this xmas is a cheap one - as if with 3 kids!
don't feel bad - as you said, it is you who feels bad! They are probably loving being out, and it sounds like they have shelter in a copse. They are all tough breeds. Decent ad-lib hay, feed if necessary. They may look horrid now, but underneath all that mud and fur is a glorious shine just waiting for a spring moult - only a few months away. Don't despair!
(ps - I personally feel that hosing and scrubbing at legs makes them worse, creating softer skin and micro-scratches which allows greeblies in. mine seem better, if scruffier, now I have stopped)
(ps - I personally feel that hosing and scrubbing at legs makes them worse, creating softer skin and micro-scratches which allows greeblies in. mine seem better, if scruffier, now I have stopped)
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