If you own or plan on owning horses and have the land available to house them yourself rather than having to pay to keep them in stables, then you may be considering creating your own paddock for them to graze in. If so, then it’s important that you create a paddock that not only functions appropriately, but is safe and humane for them to stay in.

If you’re unsure where to start, then worry not. We’ll offer some of our top tips to get you started when it comes to creating a DIY paddock for your horses. Read on below to see what these are.

Choosing an Appropriate Area

Before actually starting work on your paddock, a crucial first step is to decide where it’s actually going to be located. A paddock should ideally be located on level land, free of weeds and holes. In terms of how much space is required, a general rule is to allow an acre of land per horse.

Of course, the more room the better, as this will not only offer more grass to graze on, but allows your horse(s) to freely run and play.

Make sure to also check for and remove any poisonous plants. Likewise, check for rabbit holes and badger setts; rabbit holes should be filled whereas badger setts will need to be fenced off, as badgers are protected by law.

Creating an Effective Perimeter

Once you’ve dedicated an area to become your paddock, then you can think about creating a safe, secure and effective perimeter.

All gates and boundaries should be secure and in good repair. In terms of fencing, there are multiple avenues you could explore. Traditional timber farm fencing is a trusty option, as it’s sturdy and long-lasting, especially if the timber has been treated.

However, some horses may be tempted to chew on timber, so if you’re looking for an alternative option or would like the additional peace of mind that your horse won’t attempt to escape, then electric fencing is also a good option. Electric fencing is aimed to startle and deter, not hurt horses; whilst it will deliver a notable shock, it should not cause your horse any pain, thus making it safe.

As for gates, these should not only be wide enough for your horses to comfortably fit through, but you’ll also want to make sure they’re wide enough for any machinery or vehicles to get through that might need to enter your paddock at any given time.

Additional Considerations

Some additional considerations to keep in mind when building your paddock are shelter and water supply – both of which are essential to your horse’s wellbeing.

Access to shelter is important all year round for horses and can be either man-made in the form of a field shelter or natural, such as evergreen trees.

As for water, there should be constant access to clean, fresh water. The best way to provide this is using a water container, which should be regularly cleaned and refilled. It’s also best to avoid placing these in the corner of your paddock.

Paddock Supplies from Hales Sawmills

If you’re ready to start creating your paddock, then look to us here at Hales Sawmills for some of the essential supplies you will need.

We supply a range of fencing and gates, including timber farm fencing, electric fencing, farm gates and ranch gates. Whatever your requirements, we’re confident we can meet them.

Get in touch today for more information on the products we supply.