Paddock Paradise

[Dawn Perkins]

I have been a complete convert to the idea of "paddock paradise" for some time now and Nic's blog this morning highlights the benefits of the system, particularly at times of high rainfall and, therefore, problems of too much lush grass:-

rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/what-if.html

Dawn Perkins

[Dawn Perkins]

I have been a complete convert to the idea of "paddock paradise" for some time now and Nic's blog this morning highlights the benefits of the system, particularly at times of high rainfall and, therefore, problems of too much lush grass:-

rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/what-if.html

Dawn Perkins

[Dawn Perkins]

P.S. It's also easy to see why the use of a bit (however gently) would be agony for a horse suffering from such a condition.

Dawn Perkins

[Dawn Perkins]

I'm putting this link onto this thread because, where horses are concerned, a track system enables horses with weak feet to transition to barefoot and to become comfortable on different surfaces at their own pace.

This particular blog of Nic's relates to human barefooting (and the pea shingle track is replaced by a lacrosse ball!) but the parallels are, as always, very interesting. When you realise the effects of shoes on humans, you can more easily understand the restrictive effects that shoes have on horses (and the tendons, ligaments and joints further up their bodies):-

rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/going-from-shoes-to-barefoot.html

Dawn Perkins

[Dawn Perkins]

I was looking at this link specifically to see what kind of arrangement they have at this establishment in Gascony:-

www.happy-horse-training.com/paddock-paradise.html

However, the youtube video referred to in it reveals how very damaged horses (mentally, emotionally and physically) have been helped not only by correct management and riding but also by the paddock paradise system itself. It struck a chord, particularly in view of Avril's recent post about the horse rescue centre she visited:-

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf7aydwx_jQ

There are other interesting features on their website.

Dawn Perkins

[Dawn Perkins]

Once again, Nic's blog today highlights the huge advantages of a track system!

rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/brief-respite.html

Dawn Perkins

[Dawn Perkins]

The track at Rockley Farm was extended this weekend and the edges of more fields can now be added in to existing tracks to create an even longer distance for the rehab horses to move in order to get to food, shelter, water and company.

All of this movement encourages healthy hoof development and discourages the gorging on rich grass which can be a hazard of confinement.

Starting with a pea shingle yard and adding track through otherwise unusable areas is a very good start but, in time, being able to extend the track in this way is even better and will certainly constitute an additional bonus in protecting grazing and hay-making areas in the centre of the fields during prolonged wet weather.

rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/bridge-building-weekend.html

I hope everyone had a really good Bank Holiday weekend, especially Sarah and her lovely Custard!

Dawn Perkins

[Dawn Perkins]

Of course, regarding the above post, I should say that the rounded pea shingle has only been laid for the benefit of those horses with lameness issues, although they all seem to enjoy it and it certainly acts well to protect the track from poaching.

Dawn Perkins

[em]

Hey Dawn

\Oh my what a tire girl I am today but I think you would be proud of me.... well hope so.. I have spent all day setting up my track system in the rented field I have.... unfortunately as it is rented it is difficult to make it terribly interesting but I have used logs for scratching etc and I have managed to create a bit of a maze so that they really do have to walk a very long way to get to there water.. I only have 2 acres but it is possible to do something better than just paddocks x x x x

thank you for all your ideas x x x x

[Dawn Perkins]

Hi Em!

Well done, you! It must have been very hard work indeed, especially if you have been enjoying the kind of hot weather we have here at the moment. I would love to see photos, if you are able to put them on the board and I would also love to hear if you make adjustments and when and why (e.g. ground conditions, improvements, etc.) if you have time to post them.

I'm sure Ebony and Maisie will find the benefit of the extra physical and mental exercise. What lucky horses they are - and Ebony has had the double luck of having been trained by Avril and then owned by you!

Very best wishes to you all. I hope all is going well with the planning for the summer party and I hope we get another spell of good weather for that.

Dawn

[Dawn Perkins]

This update on Bryher, the foal bought for Nic Barker's partner, Andy, shows the enormous value of a track. It has enabled Bryher to exercise extensively, have fun with the others and build the foundations of really strong, healthy feet through constant movement over varied surfaces, some of them challenging. It has also given him opportunities to witness - or be involved with - many of the goings-on at the busy yard, as well as a totally stress-free weaning:-

rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/start-as-you-mean-to-go-on.html

As I have mentioned before, Cynthia Cooper has also found that her track system allows foals to be weaned so gently and gradually that they are not really even aware of it!

Dawn Perkins

[Dawn Perkins]

I'm sure that anyone with an interest in Paddock Paradise will already have come across this Facebook page but I have only just come across it myself.

It is heart-warming to see the videos of people who have made such an effort to provide areas of interest for their horses. There is also a video of Jaime Jackson, the founder of the Paddock Paradise concept and pioneer of the original barefoot movement in America, going through the motions of how to trim a horse's hooves, with a horse at liberty on a track, being observed by students and the other horses. Although he is clearly a bit of a showman, he is also incredibly fluid and relaxed in his movements and interactions with the horse (as well as one of the others who is a bit too inquisitive and getting in the way). The horse he is working on has the most relaxed eyes (or, as I now call them, MSC eyes!) and seems to have trouble keeping them open.

This is the link, which includes photographs and videos posted by proponents of the Paddock Paradise and barefoot movement from all over the world:-

en-gb.facebook.com/OfficialPaddockParadisePage

Dawn Perkins

[Dawn Perkins]

The idea is starting to gain momentum. This is an example of a paddock paradise track in Kent - Lisa Williamson's "Fountain Livery":-

lisa699.wordpress.com/

Dawn Perkins

[Dawn Perkins]

The Rockley Farm blog today concerns a horse who has been barefoot for some time now but, because she wasn't able to land heel first, had continuing "niggling" issues and so was referred to Rockley for treatment.

There is a comment after the blog by cptrayes, who has herself successfully rehabbed horses with serious lameness issues - one of whom was 24 hours away from being euthanised - (and to whom I have referred on the "Barefoot Rehabilitation..." thread). Having had experience herself but not having the benefit of a large track system, she obviously feels that tracks are significant in helping horses to achieve and maintain comfortable, heel-first landings (which themselves promote soundness):-

rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/reines-4-week-update.html

Dawn Perkins

[Dawn Perkins]

I know this has been an exceptional summer and that it is not always possible to make enough good quality hay or haylage but, by using a track system, there is the chance of making considerable savings on winter forage from fields which are not "horse sick" and which maintain really good biodiversity, as the Rockley Farm blog today shows:-

rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/the-most-wonderful-timeof-year.html

Dawn Perkins