Freestep strongly recommends the use of a paradise paddock track grazing system for ponies with low grade laminitis, EMS or IR for the following reasons.
1. Increased exercise is one of the healthiest things you can do for a laminitic EMS, IR pony and by placing the water, small heaps of low sugar hay and feed around the perimeter of the track the horses are encouraged to continually walk around the edge to forage for feed etc. much as it would do in the wild.
Far better than setting up a small area of limited grazing where the horse simply stands still for most of the day and better also than leaving him in the stable with very restricted access to feed which is likely to add to stress and with limited access to feed can cause ulcers.
2. Many modern grass species contain high levels of sugar and taste sweet thus encouraging the horse to gorge itself, by making a track alongside the hedge and planting shrubs and native grass species you will be feeding low sugar content plants high in anti oxidants which are beneficial to all laminitic animals.
3. This system is easy to manage and allows the grass to grow in the centre area to allow the horse to graze during safe times such as the winter months, this method also allows for a hay crop to be taken during the summer.
4. This system allows a laminitic horse to be turned out for long hours without the hindrance of a grazing mask allowing the horse to socialise and exercise with other horses, much more acceptable than long hours standing in confinement.
A paradise paddock is easy to set up by creating an internal fence around an already existing hedge or fence.
Grass tracks are a good place to start as surfacing can be expensive or require planning or landowner permission, but a grass track can be set up quite easily with temporary electric fencing.
Use what you already have. If you have hedgerows with horse-friendly plants, use these into your track to offer natural variety to your horse’s diet. If your field has any shelter, either natural or man-made, make sure your horse can use these areas on the track.
Obstacles can be a fun addition that needn’t cost much, if anything at all. If you have branches to cut-down, use them to make log poles for your horse to walk over, leaving a way around the edge if any herd members struggle with polework.
Do your research and plant a suitable grass species with a low sugar content.
Start small and within your budget. Tracks grow and develop over time, and your ideas can change, so a ‘perfect’ track from the start is not necessary. All horses are different so you can always add to the paradise paddock when you see what works well for your own horses.
An excellent, informative video by you tube channel This is Becca Lilly shows the benefits of a Paradise Paddock Track system.
