Creating a safe and happy home for your horse
By Charlene Carroll
A lush paddock is every horse owner’s dream. A serene, green haven where horses can graze, play, and relax under the sun. But behind that idyllic image lies a fair amount of planning, maintenance and knowledge.
In South Africa, where our climate, plants and soil conditions vary so much from province to province, creating the perfect paddock means going beyond just a pretty field. It’s about understanding what horses truly need and ensuring their environment supports their health and wellbeing.
Drawing on resources from the South African Pony Club’s Perfect Paddock Achievement Badge training guides (with permission), here’s a step-by-step guide to designing and maintaining the ideal paddock for your horse.
Start with a thorough check
Before turning your horse out into a new paddock, walk the entire space carefully. Look for hidden dangers like broken glass, sharp metal, old nails, and stray rubbish. Even small holes can pose serious risks, potentially leading to twisted ankles or even broken legs. Fill any holes firmly with soil, being cautious of wildlife burrows, and remove splintered wood or barbed wire that could cause nasty injuries.
In South Africa, where some regions experience sudden storms or high winds, fences can break or branches can fall, creating unexpected hazards. Regular inspections are vital, especially after heavy weather. Remember to keep an eye out for discarded plastic, broken bottles and other debris that could easily blow into paddocks from nearby roads or neighbouring plots.
Clean and clear
Once you’ve removed obvious dangers, get stuck into a thorough clean-up. Collect rubbish using gloves and a wheelbarrow, and pick up droppings, regular manure removal not only keeps the area pleasant but also helps control parasites and flies. Remove weeds that compete with good grazing grasses and may be unpalatable or harmful to horses.
This cleaning is not a once-off task. Horses should be checked daily for injuries or signs of ill-health, and paddocks should be monitored regularly to catch new hazards early.
Choosing the right fencing
South African horse owners have a wide range of fencing options, but not all are ideal. Barbed wire, still used on many farms, is particularly dangerous, horses can easily tear skin or get tangled, resulting in severe injuries. Wooden fencing offers a safer, more traditional choice, but it requires frequent checks for splinters, rot and loose nails.
Plastic or vinyl fencing has become popular as it’s durable, requires little maintenance, and is highly visible to horses. Electric fencing can work if properly set up, but it’s important to ensure that horses cannot get tangled. A combination of wooden fencing with a single electric strand along the top often works well.
The height and security of the fence are critical: it needs to be high enough to discourage jumping, and low enough to prevent horses from ducking underneath. Gates should be wide enough to comfortably lead a horse through, and easy to open and close with one hand.
The essentials: food, water and shelter
A paddock isn’t just a place to stretch legs, it should meet all a horse’s basic needs. Fresh, clean water must always be available, ideally positioned away from trees that shed leaves, which can dirty troughs. In the South African summer heat, preventing dehydration is critical. Ensure water containers are sturdy enough that they can’t be tipped over or contaminated.
When it comes to food, good quality grazing is ideal. Fields should have a variety of grasses and be large enough to prevent overgrazing. In areas where grazing is poor or during dry winters, supplementary feed like eragrostis, teff or oat hay can be provided. Remember to spread hay piles out so horses can eat without feeling trapped or crowded, always putting out one more pile than there are horses helps prevent fighting.
Shelter is also non-negotiable. South African weather can swing from scorching heat to icy wind and hail. A solid shelter with a roof and open sides offers horses protection from rain and sun while allowing good airflow. Natural shelter, such as large trees or hedges (provided they’re non-toxic), can also help provide shade and windbreaks.
Watch out for poisonous plants
South Africa’s rich and diverse flora can be a blessing and a curse. Many common garden and veld plants are toxic to horses, and even small amounts can cause serious illness. Some culprits to look out for include oleander, datura (also known locally as moonflower), hemlock, castor oil plant, privet hedges, morning glory, and even acorns from oak trees.
Another common but often overlooked hazard is lawn clippings. Although not poisonous themselves, they can ferment quickly, leading to potentially fatal colic if eaten. Never throw lawn cuttings into a paddock.
It’s crucial to walk the paddock regularly and remove any dangerous plants as soon as they appear. Horses are naturally curious and will nibble on many things, especially if grazing is limited. Consult local agricultural guides or nurseries to identify toxic plants specific to your region, and keep an updated list of plants to watch for.
Plan for space and social dynamics
A perfect paddock isn’t just about individual horse safety, it must also support healthy social interaction. The paddock should be big enough to allow horses to move freely and avoid each other if needed. Overcrowding can lead to fights and injuries, and it can also strain grazing resources.
As a guideline, allow at least 0.5 to 1 hectare per horse, depending on grazing quality and local conditions. This gives horses space to express natural behaviours like running, rolling and playing, which are important for their physical and mental wellbeing.
Ongoing care and observation
Building the perfect paddock isn’t a once-off project but an ongoing commitment. Daily checks for injuries, paddock damage, and water supply are essential. Seasonal changes may bring new weeds, and strong winds may introduce new rubbish.
By staying vigilant and proactive, you ensure your paddock remains a safe and happy space all year round.
A living commitment
A well-maintained paddock offers so much more than pretty scenery. It’s an essential foundation for a healthy, happy horse. A place where they can just be horses, grazing, playing, and resting at will.
By following these steps, based on the excellent guidelines from the Pony Club’s Perfect Paddock training, South African owners can create environments that truly support their horses’ needs, while enjoying the deep satisfaction of seeing them thrive.
