The conditions here in Middle TN became dry very early this spring. We are well below the average in rainfall, the spring grass has dried up, and the ground is hard and cracked. The horses feet could suffer in these conditions without an appropriate amount of moisture. One way to do just that is to put in "soaking pools" around the horses water troughs. The draft horses especially, drink a tremendous amount of water every day, so it is very logical thinking to add the soaking areas where they will be several times thru out the day. We have just put in soaking areas in two of our pastures.
Here I decided to use a corner off of the existing gravel path for the soaking area. Using our skid steer, we dug the ground out just a bit so it is recessed.
Buddy & Slim come over to investigate the action, and find that they love how soft the fine gravel feels!
The water trough is within a few feet of the run in shelter, where the horses spend most of their time during the warm, buggy days. The area is lined with landscape timbers anchored with one foot pieces of rebar hammered in to keep them from shifting.
When the trough is filled, we let it run over so it can flood the area. When the horses come over for a drink, they will be stepping in the wet gravel, exposing their feet to moisture!
The big boys, Slim & Buddy love their soaking area!
Here is a smaller soaking area around a 50 gallon water trough and water hydrant-very easy to fill and flood daily!
Cindy Daigre is the founder and director of Ferrell Hollow Farm, an Equine Retirement facility in Middle Tennessee focusing on the unique concerns of Senior and Special Needs horses. In addition, she provides Equine Nutritional Consultations, has developed a specialized line of Natural Horse & Body Care Products, Herbal Blends and Seed Mixes for Horses, and has written several articles for Natural Horse Magazine. www.ferrellhollowfarm.net
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