Creating paddocks and pastures

Paddocks should be in a calm place and small in size: 20 m x 30 m is a maximum. The risk of injury increases with the size of the paddocks and the level of excessive exuberance it allows the horses.

The soil must be stabilised so that it does not quickly turn into a quagmire, which would make the paddock unusable for a good part of the year. It is advisable to regularly remove dung which contributes to rapid soil deterioration. Trampling areas (entrance, feeding area, approach to drinking troughs) can be equipped with dimpled slabs to improve the load-bearing capacity of the soil.

The size of the pastures is linked to the number of animals they accommodate.

The 1 ha/horse rule is often mentioned, but depending on the region and careful management, it can correspond to the quantities of grass needed for grazing and the constitution of fodder for a horse for the year!

Indeed, this measure must be adapted according to the type of equidae (breed, hardiness, production, activity), the quality of the field (a Normandy meadow at 2 to 5 horses/ha in rotational pasture or a pasture on the Causse du Larzac at 5 horses/ha) and the management of the pasture. (see rotational or continual pasture for fields dedicated to horses).

Each pasture must have a sufficient number of troughs which are long enough for each horse, even horses that are dominated in the herd, to find its place at mealtimes.

If the field does not provide natural shelter, it may be necessary to build a shelter. Careful arrangement of these shelters can lead to real savings by limiting the surface area to be built by ensuring they serve several plots.

The recommended surface area for these shelters, in m², is: 2.5 x (height at withers)² per horse.

Above all, fences must be secure and not dangerous for animals, so they must be well made and robust. Different types of enclosures exist:

• Wooden fencing: It is advisable to choose autoclave-treated wood (minimum class 3). The use of creosote-treated wood is currently prohibited in establishments open to the public (riding schools).
• Electric fencing: Electric fencing is the most economical solution, used in almost all equestrian establishments. Nevertheless, its proper functioning requires careful implementation and the use of quality equipment.

The price of fencing varies depending on the type chosen.

The total height should not be lower than 1.60 m at the roadside, or 1.30 m between pastures. Different techniques exist:

• At least four rows of smooth twisted wires; six rows are preferable;
• Three wooden rails;
• Alternating between the two.

The wood must be protected from the horses’ teeth by an electric conductor in front of the fence, on the horses’ side.

With regard to the layout of the fences, it may be advisable to round off the corners of the plots in order to facilitate the mechanical maintenance of the grassland and reduce the risk of accidents due to sudden braking in the corners.

When the plots must accommodate stallions, a double fence spaced 2.50 m apart (allowing the passage of a vehicle) is recommended. In general, the use of spacer isolators helps to limit interactions between animals in neighbouring plots.

A water supply is essential, with a purge system for the winter.

An electricity supply is required for the fence. In general, the use of a mains-supplied energiser is preferable to a stand-alone piece of equipment. This solution makes more power available on the fence and simplifies maintenance (recharging or changing batteries).