Don't just give in to "mud season"!

Rainy weather in fall and winter turns many paddocks into mud pits. But how do you push a wheelbarrow through deep mud to clean out manure? Most people don't. Even if you try, it's impossible to get it completely clean. So now we have a mixture of water, dirt, and feces that wreaks havoc on the horse's skin and hooves: mud fever, scratches, and thrush are results of bacteria constantly attacking the legs and hooves, while moisture softens the tissue and allows easier access for those bacteria.

Other health risks are often overlooked: the deep mud discourages horses from moving around. Horses are designed to roam and move around most of the day. Long periods of standing can promote joint degeneration and increase the risk for injuries during riding. Simply providing space for the horse is not enough if their desire to move is squashed by mud. And let's not forget what happens when winter really kicks in: the deep muddy grooves start to freeze and build a hazardous obstacle course that can pose a significant risk for injuries to horses and people.

It seems widely accepted that muddy paddocks are inevitable. On the contrary, there are many ways to significantly reduce or even avoid mud in your paddocks!

• When starting the planning phase, consider an elevated location to improve drainage.

• Place gates, walkways, and manure storage in a way that makes cleaning easy and keeps paddocks free from runoff.

• Install a good drainage base and paddock grids to ensure the top surface stays dry for new or existing paddocks.

• Don’t get scared of the costs if you have large paddocks: starting with just the high traffic areas around gates, shelter, hay, and water will be a game-changer while still affordable.

• Once the paddocks are set up well, clean manure off daily!

• Manure can be composted and then used or sold as fertilizer. Setting up a nutrient management strategy (NMS) can help your whole farm, your horses, and the environment to thrive.

Sounds like too much of an effort or investment? Compare it to possible vet and medications bills for thrush, mud fever, joint degeneration, or injuries. Wasted hay that got trampled in the mud. Increased parasite load and the issues that come along with that. Fly infestations as soon as the weather gets warmer. The time it takes to get horses out of boot-sucking mud pits, clean off legs (and boots), and apply bactericides. It takes a strenuous effort if you actually try to clean a muddy paddock. Don’t forget those frequently lost horseshoes. These are all factors that constantly cost money and time, leading to less enjoyment of your horse or unsatisfied clients.

Think about all these unpleasant things about winter that we often accept as part of keeping horses. Many of them can actually be avoided by doing small changes to your paddocks! The investment is often smaller than it seems at first, and it usually pays off quickly.

• Reduced vet bills

• Reduced overall workload (yes, even if you add daily cleaning to the chores list)

• Healthier, happier, better-performing horses

• Fertilizer for pastures or additional income through compost sales

• Fewer flies and parasites

• Cleaner waterways and wells

• Less waste of hay

• Cleaner, more appealing look of the property

• Boarders and clients are more willing to stay and possibly pay more

Don’t just suffer through “mud season”! Take a look at your property and ask a professional to help you make your property beautiful all year long.