Introduction

Horses that are not kept in stables need some form of protection against sun, wind, rain and extremes of temperatures. Shade and shelter can be natural (e.g. trees) or artificially provided by a paddock shelter.
 

Horses tend to congregate in shelter and shade areas, and the concentrated hoof traffic can wear out the pasture cover resulting in mud, dust and erosion problems (see Management of horse feeding, watering and congregating areas).
 

In addition, rainfall runoff from the roof of paddock shelters can cause erosion problems if this is not well considered in shelter design.
 

Steps to achieve best practice

Suggested actions are:

• Locate shelters on stable ground where possible - i.e. avoid slopes, clay or sand or low lying areas that get wet.
• Build shelters with a non-erodible surface (e.g. concrete, compacted quarry rubble, or commercial horse rubber flooring on a base), and fit gutters to control stormwater.
• If dust or mud is an issue, surface high traffic areas around shade and shelter with dolomite or alternative material, such as quarry rubble, to stabilise the soil.
• Consider shelters which are movable, so if you are unsure if the location you have first selected will be the best, the shelter can be moved, or the shelter can be moved as part of your paddock management.
• Feed the horse in the shelter to keep feed dry and to encourage maximum impact (time spent by the horse in one spot) to be concentrated on a durable surface

 

 
Shade and shelter can be natural or artificial.

 

Links

• Land Management Program advisers: www.amlrnrm.sa.gov.au/services.html
• Horse SA: www.horsesa.asn.au
• Horse Sense - CSIRO
• Hoofprints - A manual for Horse Property Management - J. Foyel, Primary Industries SA. Agdex 461/10
• Managing Horses on Small Properties - by Jane Myers. Landlinks Press available through CSIRO publishing or Horse SA: www.horsesa.asn.au
• Horse Sense - Landlinks Press or from Horse SA www.horsesa.asn.au
• Check the websites from your State department of agriculture for additional books and fact sheets