How to build up muddy paddock area?

Question

We have several areas in and around our paddocks that get very muddy in the winter due to lack of good runoff areas. I think if I build up the areas about 4 - 6 inches it would help but want something that will pack down well, not get mushy, and be OK for the horses feet.

Any ideas?

A friend of mine used road base then packed dirt and sand over it.

Answer 1

Your friends foundation sounds good.

As far as drainage goes, you could dig a little trench along the back of the paddocks and fill it with gravel so your horses don't step in it and get hurt, but it will still drain; and then grade the paddock area the slightest bit so the runoff would drain through the trench and out to wherever.

Answer 2

We used river sand and dirt to pack ares. I would just trench it to drain.

Answer 3

Hydrolyzed lime is the best if you can get it.  It packs down and it absorbs moisture.  Agricultural lime is next best.

Answer 4

are you riding in you paddock, or using then as turn out? Yes I know you can not answer, but the answer will help you to figure out how to rebuild your paddocks. you will have to dig out the souft dirt, and depending on the hardpan you may want to use pea gravel, and build up with dirt, or clay, and a sand mix. build it higher in the center to get some drainage to it. With the rain that is falling in the north, you might wait untill it dry up a little. Years ago I got the sedement from the water works, that I put in the rings and stalls, it got hard, but not so hard that if the horse was stamping his feet,that it hurt the foot. but hard enough to drain off the water. Made stall a lot easyer to clean up . If you really have a problen, raise the rings a foot, and put kick board on the sides or grade out to exsisting ground.

Answer 5

i volunteer at the local riding centre for disabled people and we just got a big load of gravel to fill in our muddy areas. it's not very expensive, because you don't need really high quality stuff, and it also drains really well.