Paddock Maintenance - A Straightforward Guide

Whether you choose to use fences or hedgerows to encompass your land, they will serve the primary function of keeping your animals within the paddock. As such they should normally be at least 5 foot in height. The fence or hedge must also be sturdy enough to withstand the weight of your horse. Thus it is necessary to consider the breed, weight, size, agility and even age of your horse when choosing a fitting fence or hedge for your paddock.

Once you have selected a suitable fence or hedge fo your paddock you will need to consider the grazing requirements of your animals. What are you trying to feed? Horses may need a different quality mix to ponies and they would definitely need a different quality to sheep or even cattle. Reseeding or natural regeneration would be the first hurdle to climb. Manual clearance or machinery led destruction, personal intervention or expensive contractors? Soil analysis will establish the basic needs and hopefully just what level of intervention is required. Often getting it right from the start pays dividends in the long run and can minimize many fruitless hours hacking away at stubborn re-growth.

The next necessary step is creating an ongoing paddock management program with regards to you grassland. Unless you are grazing your grassland frequently, regular topping of weeds such as nettles will certainly reduce their growth and combined with animal rotation may get them under control with little or no chemical intervention. Many, or even all, of the necessary benefits which require fertilizers can be accomplished via rolling, aerating and harrowing your land.

Hedges and trees will invariably improve the wildlife and conservation levels of your paddock. Trees can be expensive at the offset and can also require a great deal of maintaining, depending on the species. The enjoyment of choosing species and the potential they will afford your land is inspirational and careful advice is well worth considering. Wildlife regeneration may be your aim or stunning spring colour - perhaps government grants will tip your choice and are available to help with many aspects of the countryside's regeneration.

Regardless of he size of you paddock, it is important to approach the management of the land responsibly.


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Enjoying the fressh air and riding with ponies and horses is great fun. Looking after them requires a sensible programme of paddock maintenance. Steve Phillips find his advice from GreenPaddocks. They are reliable and give a high level of service all year round for anything from hedge laying to paddock topping.