How do I prevent my grass paddocks from becoming muddy during the winter?

 Grass paddocks can be very beneficial for both horse and owner. The horses have something to nibble on during the day, and the owner can save a little money on feed. If you live in a wet climate, however, then the rainy season poses a rather messy dilemma. 

The type of soil you have in your paddocks, along with local materials availability, generally dictates what type of amendment you can use to prevent them from becoming muddy. If you basically have topsoil under your grass, which is usually the case, then you must put enough material on top of it to form a sort of "floating" layer of protection against the tremendous weight that a horse exerts on it. With any option you choose, you must first remove as much of the existing "muck" as possible. If this is not done, count on buying more material to compensate for the amount that is lost due to its sinking into the mud. Also keep in mind that the ground level will be substantially higher after a sufficient amount of material has been applied.

 If gravel is readily available, a layer of "railroad ballast" (2" minus) should be applied to a depth of about three inches, and a two inch finishing layer of 5/8" minus should be applied on top of that. This usually results in a long lasting surface, and is pleasant to walk upon and maintain. An alternative method would be to apply five inches of 1-1/4" minus. This usually solves the mud problem, and is still small enough for the horses to walk upon without discomfort. All gravel should be compacted with a device that is sized appropriately for the area that you are covering.

Wood products, such as large cedar chips ("hogsfuel"), can be a more desirable footing in paddocks. If the horses are unshod, it is much more comfortable for them to walk upon soft wood than hard gravel. The disadvantage is the fact that wood eventually decomposes, and must be replaced. Only the most decay resistant species of wood should be used. Cedar is a good choice because of its longevity and the fact that it usually doesn't get slippery enough to be a safety concern. Cleaning the paddocks of manure is a must, because failing to do so will quickly result in a large organic bog, leaving you with more mud than you had in the first place.

Paddocks...