Paddock lifestyle
On this page I will introduce you to the concept of building a " Paddock Paradise " as Jaime Jackson describes it in his book.
This concept came into existence because of observations of the movements of feral horses in their natural environments.
It doesn't matter who came up with the first idea to create such an environment, what does matter is that it helps our domesticated equines live a life that more closely resembles their natural lifestyles if they could be free to roam.
When building a paddock track system you can allow your imagination to roam.
You can also create an environment that is human friendly regarding cleanup and feeding practices while stimulating movement in the daily lives of our horses.
Movement and diet are the keys to succesful barefoot lifestyles for our horses.
I have found that my horses have become healthier as a result of increased movement and reduction of green grass consumtion.
It is easier to manage weight issues with easy keeper horses by providing distance between feed stations and water and minerals.
Keep this in mind, the domestic horse should have to "work" at obtaining the daily mineral, water and feed requirements.
Free choice hay is provided in piles spaced at least 20 yards apart. I provide between 10 and 15 piles for the horses to graze upon. They move from pile to pile on a daily basis. They eat off the ground the way that nature designed them.
Yes, they are fed on sand, gravel, and heavy dirt as well as occasional turnout on green grass. NO, I do not worry about colic, But I do periodicaly feed syllium to aid in preventing sand colic.
They are taking in a large amount of fiber every day and do not pull plants out by the roots on a daily basis.
Even though I feed free choice grass hay, it is low NSC content with an average 7% protein content. This also helps control weight issues, LOW/MEDIUM quality in HIGH quantity is the key to feeding free choice and maintaining healthy weight.
