Muddy Horse Paddock Footing Fixes

A common problem during the fall and winter months muddy footing in horse turnout areas not only increases the difficulty of daily barn chores and grooming routines for owners but creates a living environment for your horse that is neither safe nor healthy.
As well as providing an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and fungi that cause among other conditions scratches also called mud fever and thrush muddy footing in horse paddocks can also lead to lost horseshoes soft hooves and injuries caused by slipping on the slick footing. Additionally feeding your horse on a muddy surface can result in ingestion of dirt or sand particles that could cause colic.

Muddy paddocks can also have a negative environmental impact. Water runoff containing soil and traces of manure can contaminate local waterways and if it leaches into the groundwater on your property can also contaminate your well water.
Mud Water Soil Manure
Muddy footing tends to form first in high traffic areas of the paddock gateways around the water trough feeding areas where the frequent tramping of horse hooves churns up the topsoil and compacts the soil below. The soil compaction increases until eventually the rainwater unable to penetrate and filter down through the soil collects and pools on top mixing with the topsoil and any organics mostly manure but can also include hay and shavings that have been trampled into the topsoil. This blend of ingredients water soil and manure is a recipe for mud.
Planning for Prevention
When it comes to mud management an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here are some simple strategies for preventing muddy footing from forming in paddocks in the first place 
Paddock Plotting Ideally paddocks should be situated on high ground with good natural drainage and a slope of one to two percent away from the