> . . . That's why the so-called Paddock Paradise Track System fad confuses
> me - how on earth can one safely house more than one or two horses in a
> 15-foot wide track of fencing that can easily and quickly be moved...?<
I'm not so sure it's a fad -- it's just something new. Perhaps it will catch
on and be popular, perhaps not. But the folks who have started using it (for
a few years now in some cases I'm aware of) don't seem to have any intention of
going back to the square paddock / pasture regime and are having good results
both in improved hoof quality and /or weight management, and even feel their
horses are "happier" in this set-up.
Just for the record, I don't intend to make my inside track fencing
temporary or easily moved. It will be permanent fencing and the whole track
will not be 15' wide consistantly, but will have varying sections of width,
some that wide, other sections much wider, with corners very wide and sweeping.
The narrower portions of the track are to create a psychological "squeeze" to
keep the horses moving -- which is the main focus of having the track -- to
create nearly constant movement as horses in the wild do. The philosophy
behind the track system is that moving all day long is how the horse's
digestion and actually, entire body systems evolved. To me, it's a very
interesting observation and makes sense.
But, that's me, not anyone else of course.
> . . . just scares the heebie-jeebies out of me... <
I can loan the book to you Karen, if you'd like to investigate this concept
further. It might make more sense to you than a few posts (mine included) on
the internet have. Reading the book might put your mind at ease.
>
> There has to be better ways to watch the weight of our horses.
Perhaps, depending on the horse and the situation. I think there are
certainly more than one way to manage a horse's waistline to the benefit of
both horse and owner. I've tried the diet pen / dry lot, grazing muzzles, and
so forth. I've had some success with those things. But, I'm open to
finding something that might be better than those options in my own situation
with the horses (and their conditions) that I have. I've done my research
and I am willing to try this method with an open mind. That's all I can do.
-- Renee M. in Michigan
