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The 4 Pillars
We follow the 4 pillars of natural horse care (nhc), which are based on the wild free-roaming horse model of the U.S Great Basin. All 4 of the pillars work together to support each other for the equine - healing and strengthening the horse's body, mind and soul.
What is a Paddock Paradise?
The paddock paradise track system is a concept created by Jaime Jackson, formed from his studies on the wild and free-roaming horses of the US Great Basin. Its purpose is to facilitate health and soundness both mentally and physically by creating an environment that mimics how horses in nature move, forage and socialise.
A track system typically follows the perimeter of your field, making a fenced off area that forms a loop, incorporating 'stations'. Stations are used to encourage movement in search of forage, water, shelter and enrichment, mimicking how the wild horse will travel upwards of 20 miles per day to fulfil their needs. Horses kept on track systems are also kept with company or in herds to promote natural behaviours associated with a prey and herd animal, and are given hay as their main source of forage, similar to how horses in nature will forage on dry, low nutrient dense grasses, with trees, hedges and plants to browse on for variety and enrichment.
The paddock paradise track system looks to nature and aims to mimic the horse's adaptive environment in domesticated settings.
To summarise, a track system:
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Increases movement on a day to day basis, increasing fitness, stamina and muscle growth whilst managing weight (loss or gain).
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Restricts or eradicates access to grass and other known inflammatory sources, decreasing the risk of Laminitis and metabolic disease.
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Allows horses to live in herds or with other horses so that they are able to engage in and express their natural, normal behaviours, reducing boredom, stress and anxiety related behaviours.
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Allows continual turnout without the threat of grass, 365 days of the year.
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Creates engaging, enriching environment to stimulate the body and mind.
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Prevents, manages and rehabilitates common equine conditions such as Laminitis, EMS, obesity, hoof pathology and more.
The 4 Pillars of Natural Horse Care
Species Appropriate Diet
Providing a diet that is near to species appropriate and natural as possible - a low sugar, low potassium and high fibre diet with free access to hay and various bushes, trees and herbs. We do not allow our horses to graze lush, rich grass due to it's unsuitability.
Environment (Paddock Paradise)
Understanding the nature of equines and providing them with a mixed herd to encourage natural behaviours and dynamics - no stables, restriction, isolation or paddocks. Wild and free-roaming horses travel up to 25 miles per day.
Natural Trim
To understand what a natural hoof is and trimming to replicate what nature would leave and what nature would take.
Natural Horsemanship
Natural schooling, ridden work and ground work is based on what movements are natural to the horse; nothing is forced.
The Benefits
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Track systems are ideal for horses or ponies who cannot tolerate any grass, such as horses who suffer from Laminitis, EMS, grass affected behavioural issues, poor hoof health, head shaking, and so on.
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They're highly beneficial to horses or ponies who suffer from soft tissue injuries, arthritis or issues that would drastically worsen from lack of movement in stalls, stables, small paddocks etc.
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Many of the horses in our care have previously struggled with anxiety, crib biting, wind sucking and food guarding. Being in a stimulating environment amongst other horses, all with free choice, is not only mentally enriching but also contributes to the recovery of various management related issues.
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Track systems build and tone muscle - top lines, bottoms and shoulders strengthen naturally without ridden or in hand work.
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Weight management, loss or gain is much easier to facilitate with free movement and species appropriate forage at their disposal.
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More movement encourages new healthy hoof growth, ideal for horses with ongoing pathologies such as poor hoof growth, white line separation, poor hoof horn, contracted heels and more.
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Our horses have the freedom to do as they please - play, eat, drink, snooze, go paddling in the ponds, forage. They have access to everything they need but when they use it is completely up to them.
