Paddock Paradise Photos
POND
Right in the center of our Paddock Paradise is a pond. The horses refuse to drink from the bucket. They always drink from the pond, and now that we are experiencing a drought, the water level is low, which provides them with good exercise, climbing down the bank to the water and then climbing back up. The horses have created a path around the pond and drink from various spots.
HAY FEEDER BOX
Nearly four years ago we built a hay feeder box which we disassembled and brought with us to Florida. In this way the horses can eat hay all day long since there is very little grass in Florida, and what there is, is not nutritious.
For more about hay feeder or slow feeding boxes go to:
To learn more about my box specifically go to:
http://www.tricknclick.com/hay-feeder-box/
The feeder box is 4 feet square with feeding grids on two sides. The horses pull hay through the grids, just a mouthful at a time. This keeps them busy and allows them to “graze” all day without overeating. It is said that eating with their head down is the most natural way for horses and provides health benefits.
HAY NET
We also use a hay net, particularly if we plan to be gone all day or during very cold nights so the horses can continue to eat. It hangs from a tree and the horses pull the hay through the net. We got this hay net from CinchChix.
FENCE
We didn’t want to cut any trees so our pasture fence winds through the trees. There are some straight lines such as along the main road, but there are also lots of curved lines. We used 5’ welded wire fencing with wood posts. We added a string of electric wire along the top. We use a solar-powered charger.
GROOMING STATION
I’ve been studying about how to build a grooming station for horses. My plan was to build a station like a zoo did for its zebras using shop brooms. But then I noticed gray horse hair on the ground. And I also saw gray hair up on the tree, as well as discoloration of the wood. Beau has been using this little oak tree as a scratching post! I have since found two other scratching trees.
We’ve got salt and minerals under a shady tree between the hay feeder box and the pond.
I love how horses help develop their own Paddock Paradise. This is the horses’ designated rolling area.
We collect manure to enrich the sandy soil throughout the property.
The farrier trims hooves outside the main gate in the shade of the trees. Our back patio is in the distance.
Our friends and family love seeing the horses interacting in their natural environment.
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