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8K views 13 replies 8 participants last post by  horseluvr2524 
#1 ·
I have a large paddock with grass for my horse and he loves it. There are some patches of dirt for him to roll in, there is shade and sun. I have a lot of wood chips (pine) in the paddock too, maybe want to put some more. I have a very big question that really bothers me- can he safely walk-trot-canter-gallop on the wood chips? He is barefooted, and he likes to often run around in his pasture. I'm not worried about the condition of the paddock, I'm worried about his hooves. Is it safe for a barefooted horse to walk-trot-canter-gallop on wood chips?
Waiting for answers, thanks in advance:runninghorse2:
 
#2 ·
Unless there are large sharp splinters and he is tender footed - meaning his sole is soft and not callused then just walking around on them should not be an issue. I can see where wet they may be a slip hazard. It just depends on concentration and location.
 
#5 ·
One of the trail communities I ride in has wood-chipped bridle paths (because the homes surrounding the paths are well ... rich) but I hate hate hate the wood chips with a passion. It seems to be a fairly recent development in the last few years because I never remembered bridle paths being wood chips before, but being as the housing community is fairly close to the ocean, the fog and mist brings in some fair amount of moisture which I think sinks into the ground and makes it hard to walk over the wood chips. My gelding is barefoot and it always seems like he has a bit of a struggle walking over it.
 
#8 ·
Not sure what you're trying to accomplish but, my opinion is don't put the wood chips down.

Eventually they will mush down and when they get wet, they will be "slicker than snot".

Plus old wood chips are a big draw for bugs, mosquitoes and ticks.

If you have pine wood chips, they will serve you much better by someone taking them down to shavings, letting them dry, and use them as shavings for bedding:)
 
#11 ·
Not sure what you're trying to accomplish
I want to put wood chips (pine) into my horse's paddock, asking if his feet will get sore, as he is barefoot, or not.

Plus old wood chips are a big draw for bugs, mosquitoes and ticks
thanks, usefull

If you have pine wood chips, they will serve you much better by someone taking them down to shavings, letting them dry, and use them as shavings for bedding:)
not everyone is that rich :) (no offense)
 
#13 ·
Why would you wish to put wood chips?
Well, the first reason is to reduce mud when it gets wet, second because I've been to barns where it was VERY wet and thank to wood chips that were out in the paddock it wouldn't get too dirty, even if the horses were galloping around.

in a grazing area?
My horse will still be able to graze, so I don't see a problem in that.
 
#14 ·
No idea on wood chips in grazing area. My first thought is they would impede grass growth, but maybe they won't. I don't know. I thought wood chips were used as a covering in garden beds to help prevent the growth of unwanted plants and weeds? Or maybe its just for looks.

For riding, I once boarded at a barn whose arena was filled with wood chips. I researched into it as I was afraid of it hurting my horse. I found out that they are used in some jumping arenas for... traction! They never bothered my horses, who were/are barefoot as well. It also WAS way drier after rains, never a sloshing mud mess like I am used to seeing. I quickly fell in love with that type of footing for riding areas, in the desert at least. Our ground has NO drainage, so even a light rain can leave sloshing mud for quite some time. The light rain didn't even effect the wood chip footing, and there were very few puddles during and after monsoons. It also dried very quickly.

So the wood chips were very good for the desert climate. Perhaps they are not great in others.

As far as them hurting a barefoot horse, as I said, mine were never hurt or splintered by them and they were comfortable at all gaits on them. In fact, they loved tearing around that arena at full gallop.
 
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