Confinement Areas for Healthy, Happy Horses
Dry lots, sacrifice areas, and paddocks keep horses confined while allowing pastures to rest. Check out this slideshow to get ideas for creating your own equine confinement areas.
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Stalls with Runs
Here's an example of traditional runs off barn stalls used as confinement areas. Good footing helps minimize mud. | Photo: Alayne Blickle
Enrichment
Adding enrichment opportunities to paddocks, such as toys and cones, can help occupy a horse’s time and prevent boredom. | Photo: Alayne Blickle
Track Paddock
Track paddocks are designed to encourage horses to move. This paddock surrounds a rain garden, which uses water runoff and reduces mud accumulation. | Photo: Alayne Blickle
Good Ventilation
Open-air barns offer protection from the sun and some weather but still provide plenty of ventilation. | Photo: Alayne Blickle
Companions
Goats and other horse-friendly critters offer their confined equine buddies companionship and entertainment. | Photo: Alayne Blickle
Odor Control
Keeping horses in confinement areas can lead to urine- and manure-related odors. Manage foul smells by keeping the paddock tidy and treating “pee spots” with odor-control products. | Photo: Alayne Blickle
Winter Weather Confinement
Use confinement areas in the winter to protect wet or frozen pastures and grass from damage due to equine traffic. | Photo: Alayne Blickle
Track Paddocks Surrounding Pastures
Want to protect your pasture but find yourself short on extra space? Consider installing a track paddock around the perimeter of your horse’s regular turnout area to provide confinement and protecting the pasture. | Photo: Alayne Blickle
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The Horse: Your Guide To Equine Health Care is an equine publication providing the latest news and information on the health, care, welfare, and management of all equids.
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