Winter is always a difficult time; especially if you are on clay. If you’re wondering how to get rid of muddy gateways: 7 No dig ideas may give you inspiration.
Muddy gateways and fields are the bane of many horse owners, especially during the winter months. Most methods of mud control mean a great deal of work, and often a corresponding amount of expense. There are a number of ways of reducing the inconvenience of mud filled gateways that won’t also drain your pocket.
If you want to stop the mud seeping through your boots; stop worrying that your horses will injure a tendon in the sucking mud; or simply don’t appreciate being greeted by the Somme every day, then knowing how to manage the mud on your land is important. Read on to find out how…
- Fleece Lasagne – A fleece lasagne will allow water to penetrate down from the top layer with the idea that the top layer will remain as dry as possible. If created correctly, the lasagne effect should keep mud underneath and give a firm footing on top.
- Gather untreated sheep fleece, as many as possible.
- Lay a good layer in the affected area – put down plenty, cover the ground well.
- Put bracken/heather/branches etc. over the sheep fleece layer.
- Repeat several times, leaving a good covering of vegetation on top .
- Walk/drive over the area to ensure that everything is bedded down and there are no loose branches to get legs caught in.
- Stone – Putting stone in gateways is a well known way of firming up the ground. However, it is normally preferable to remove the majority of the mud first. If you’re on deep clay this may not be possible, and if you’re renting the land it may not be an option at all. If you can’t remove the top layers of mud don’t worry.
- How To:
- Lay down terram (you may need permission) or sheep fleece to separate the stone from the mud.
- Pour or barrow clean stone; 40mm down limestone or similar, onto the fleece/terram. This should be to a depth of at least 100mm.
- Compact using a roller or a whacker plate.
- Scrape off mud as often as possible to keep the pad clean and stop mud growing on top.
- Eventually grass will grow through, but this will simply mean that the hardstanding pad becomes integrated into the landscape.
- Woodchip – Woodchip can be laid anywhere and is easy to get hold of, even if it’s not as cheap as it used to be.
- How to:
- Remove any mud if possible, and lay terram or fleece as discussed above.
- Pour over woodchip and allow to settle
Woodchip will degrade over time and mulch down to become similar to the mud it was used to stop. However, it is relatively simple to remove and re-install fresh woodchip.
Be careful to use woodchip that is suitable for horses, and be aware that it might not be suitable for use with horses that have allergies or breathing difficulties as it may encourage spores whilst breaking down.
- Mud Mats/Jelka – These are temporary mats that can often be laid straight onto mud – check manufacturers guidelines as this can vary depending upon your situation. They don’t normally need planning permission as they can be moved and are therefore classed as temporary. The downside of these mats is that they are very expensive, so using them in the most used areas first is the sensible option.
- Vehicle Mats – These are similar to mud control mats, but without the equestrian price uplift. If you are lucky, you may be able to purchase used mats from a nearby building site that is near completion. These are the mats used on fresh sites to protect the ground from heavy plant such as excavators and HGV’s etc. They can get slippery when wet and in freezing temperatures, so spreading a thin layer of sand, straw, or pea gravel over the top is advisable.
- Drainage – Whilst all of the above will help to control the mud, limiting the water that gets to the gateway in the first place will be the best option. If you aren’t allowed to lay drainage filter pipes, then investigate if you are allowed to dig shallow trenches and fill with a filter material such as pea gravel. To stop mud being tracked into these channels you could put a branch or jump pole across so that the horses have to step across. This will also help your horse get used to lifting their legs and increase interest in the paddock.
- Liquid – There is a product called PastureDRY that claims to be able to remove mud from problem areas by altering the ground structure. Without having tried it, this page cannot give any guarantee as to its effectiveness.
Using drain pipes and water butts to collect water and move away from buildings and gateways will also help to keep certain areas mud free. Ensure that these areas are not over grazed as the grass will help to keep the soil together for longer.
Conclusion
There are several methods to help lessen mud in your gateways. Some are more expensive than others, but if you do not have permission to dig down, then removing the water source and building on top of existing ground is the only option available.
Mud control mats are popular but need topping to prevent slipping and are particularly expensive. Fleece lasagne and woodchip are environmentally friendly options but will break down over time and need topping up to remain viable. Each method has its pros and cons, and each owner will be able to choose which option suits their circumstances best.
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