Mud, horses and winter!

As we move steadily towards Winter we are getting more and more calls from horse owners who are worrying about the impact of flooding, muddy gateways and tracks etc on the health of their horses. Mud can cause serious health issues and lameness for susceptible horses.

What is mud fever? Mud fever is a bacterial condition which typically affects the lower legs of horses. It is also known by several other names, including pastern dermatitis, greasy heels and cracked heels. The bacteria most commonly involved is called Dermatophilus congolensis, which is common in wet environments.(Link www.equitait.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/An-Owners-Guide-to-Mudfever.p…)

How can we help? With our excavators we dig down below the sodden surface around the gateways or affected area before installing permeable membrane and compacted layers of GSB (Granular Surface Base) which is highly porous to aid drainage and ensure that your walk ways and gate ways stay well drained and mud free.

According to Mark Snelson ... 'Land drainage is potentially a big job and the water will need to be piped somewhere. But there are other options, depending on your budget.'

Mark’s advice for a relatively cheap long-term solution to fix muddy gateways is to excavate the area and strip the topsoil away before laying a ground membrane. A layer of stone — 15cm for light traffic and horses — can then be laid and topped off with smaller stone or tarmac planings that will pack down. (Link... How to fix muddy gateways in fields: Horse & Hound asks the experts (horseandhound.co.uk))

We also offer a mid Winter follow up service where we can supply additional GSB, if required, to ensure the depth of the area remains adequate. Our office team are both highly experienced horse owners with a wealth of experience in the equine industry, because of this we can give advice that is specific to owners and their horses, we understand how important your horses are and how costly vet's bills can be! We can also advise on, and install, concrete yards, arena bases and walkways. Please call 07796 987017 and ask to speak to either Claire or Mandy to arrange a site visit (can be done face to face or via video call) and a competitive quote for your requirements. We are based in Knowsley (Merseyside) but we will travel all over the North West and, with notice, can often travel further depending on the scope of works.