How To Design Your Own Paddock Paradise For Your Horse

Designing a Paddock Paradise is an opportunity to reconnect your horse with the environment it evolved in—while improving health, behavior, and welfare in profound ways. But successful implementation requires thoughtful planning. Every property and herd is different, so the ideal setup must be tailored to your unique situation.

This guide walks you through essential planning considerations, based on Jaime Jackson’s observations of wild horses and supported by equine behavior research. It is designed to help you create a system that supports not only hoof health and digestion, but also psychological well-being, social interaction, and behavioral expression.

Go to Part 1: Introduction to Paddock Paradise

Go to Part 3: Best Products for Your Paddock Paradise

Go to Part 4: Paddock Paradise Examples and Management Strategies

Disclaimer: While this guide is based on Jaime Jackson’s original Paddock Paradise model, he encourages horse owners to adapt and innovate. Every property and herd is different, and you are free to explore what works best for your specific context, as long as it respects the natural behaviors and needs of the horse.

🧁 Step 1: How Many Horses Are You Accommodating?

The number of horses you plan to keep shapes every other decision in your Paddock Paradise design. It affects track width, flow, complexity, social dynamics, and even resource placement.

Track width guidelines:

1–2 horses: 6–8 feet minimum
3–5 horses: 10–12 feet minimum
Larger herds: 15+ feet in key areas (especially feeding stations)

Keep in mind that wider isn’t always better. Tracks that are too wide can encourage horses to stand around or form stationary herds, mimicking a paddock environment. The goal is continuous, low-impact forward motion, and tighter corridors with varied stimuli promote this better than open spaces.

Group behavior tip: If your herd has stallions, young horses, or rehab cases, consider designing:

Pull-off areas for yielding or social spacing
Resting zones for compromised or elderly horses
Multiple loops or separate tracks for different groups, enabling safer management while maintaining movement

“The track should always be wide enough to accommodate the number of horses on it in order to prevent dominant horses from cornering others.” — Jackson, 2007

🏞️ Step 2: Designing the Track Layout

Horse Track Systems: A 'How To' Guide to a Healthier Horse in Body and Mind — Click here to buy

This is one of the most exciting parts of the journey! If you’re serious about creating your own track system and want real-world inspiration, I highly recommend Amy Dell’s book. 👉 Click here to buy

It’s packed with practical advice, real examples, and motivation to get you started.

This book includes:
– What is a track system?
– Detailed descriptions and step by step instructions on different surface options and how to implement them
– Track system templates
– Introducing new horses on track
– Creating points of enrichment
– Running a track system as a business

And much much more!

Paddock Paradise tracks must always form a loop—never a dead end. Movement is the foundation of this system.

Using your land:
You don’t need a large property to build an effective track. Even on a few acres, you can create:

A continuous perimeter loop
Curving paths that follow the terrain
Side veins that branch off and return to the track (great for texture variation or enrichment)
“Spurs” that lead to watering or dusting areas

If your property has:

Hills or inclines – use them to work the body
Wooded zones – provide shelter and mental stimulation
Rocky patches or sand beds – use them to condition hooves
Streams or ditches – include for drinking, bathing, and terrain variety

Tip: Encourage natural curiosity and movement by avoiding long straight lines. Curves, terrain, and visual blockages create a desire to “see what’s ahead,” stimulating forward motion.

Multi-track systems:
For properties with multiple herds or special needs horses:

Build separate loops for different groups
Allow visual contact between tracks for socialization
Create shared access points for safe interaction

🚧 Fencing Recommendations

Choosing the right fencing for your Paddock Paradise is critical for safety, flexibility, and long-term durability. The track system relies on secure boundaries to guide movement, separate groups if needed, and protect both horses and land features.

Key Considerations:

Safety: No sharp edges, entangling materials, or breakable points
Visibility: Horses must clearly see the boundaries
Flexibility: Should be easy to move or adapt as your layout evolves
Cost: Materials must fit your budget, especially for large perimeter loops

Recommended Materials:

Permanent Outer Fence:

Woven no-climb horse fence with wood or metal posts
Electric rope or tape (high-visibility, 3–4 strands)
Wood rail fencing (very safe, more expensive)

Inner Track Fencing (movable):

Electric tape fencing with fiberglass or plastic step-in posts — ideal for temporary lanes or adjustments
Portable mesh fencing for short-term divisions

Not recommended:

Barbed wire (risk of severe injury)
Thin polywire without visibility tape (easily run through or ignored)
Rusted or damaged metal fencing

Tips:

Use flagging tape or caps for visibility
Mark corners clearly and avoid sharp turns
Leave wide gates (10–12 feet) at multiple points for tractor or vet access

Jaime Jackson recommends flexible electric fencing for inner tracks and durable, secure perimeter fencing for the outer boundary.

🛏️ Step 3: What Elements Should Be Included?

Paddock Paradise is an environmental system—not just a fence arrangement. Its goal is to restore natural behaviors across the 24-hour cycle. Every component contributes to locomotion, sensory input, or instinctual behavior.

Click here to see it summarized

Quick Reference Table

Element	Purpose/Benefit	Examples
Forage & Feed Systems	Supports 24/7 grazing, digestive health, promotes movement	Ground nets, hay stations, shrubs
Water & Mud Zones	Encourages travel, supports hydration and coat protection	Troughs, ponds, wallows
Terrain & Texture	Natural hoof shaping, muscle engagement	Gravel, sand, pumice, logs
Grooming Zones	Dust/mud rolling for skin health and social behavior	Dry dust sites, muddy patches
Browsing & Enrichment	Mental stimulation, mimics wild feeding behavior	Safe shrubs, logs, hanging toys
Rest & Shelter Zones	Supports healthy rest cycles, weather protection	Tree cover, shelters, windbreaks
Mineral Access	Encourages natural mineral intake and movement	Loose mixes, blocks, natural deposits
Social Behavior Areas	Enables socialization, play, and hierarchy establishment	Cul-de-sacs, shared grooming areas

🌾 Forage and Feed Systems

Horses evolved to graze 16–18 hours per day. Lack of forage access is a major cause of ulcers, anxiety, and metabolic disruption.

Your options include:

Ground slow feeders with nets: Encourage head-down feeding and natural chewing rates. Safer than hanging nets and reduce waste.
⚠️ Safety Note: Do not use ground-level mesh nets with shod horses unless covered or protected. The metal shoe or nails can catch in the netting, risking serious injury. Barefoot horses are the ideal candidates for this setup.
Rotating small hay piles: Scatter throughout the track to encourage movement.
Multiple forage types: Include a mix of mature grass, orchard, or low-NSC hays. Vary textures and smells to stimulate interest.
Browse opportunities: Plant horse-safe shrubs like willow, hawthorn, or blackberry.
Seasonal additions: During summer, supplement forage with fresh-cut dry weeds and stems.

Strategic placement of feed keeps the horses walking. Keep hay stations small to prevent monopolization.

Check Out the Different Feeding Systems

🚰 Water and Mud Zones

Place water far from feed to encourage natural travel.

Water options:

Ground-level troughs
Natural ponds or streams
Insulated waterers for winter

Mud wallows and bath zones:

Horses roll in water and then dry dirt, creating a natural mud barrier
This behavior helps protect their coats from insects and sun, and may contribute to skin health (Jackson, 2007; McDonnell, 2003)

Include dry dusting sites away from water for dry-season rolling.

🪨 Terrain and Texture for Hoof and Body Health

Wild horses walk 10–20 miles daily on abrasive surfaces, shaping their hooves naturally. But hooves are also affected by:

Soaking in water (softens hoof)
Walking on pumice or gravel (wears hoof walls)
Wet–dry transitions (stimulates sole exfoliation)

Use these materials:

Gravel paths
Pumice or lava rock areas (for short periods)

Log crossings or branches
Sand beds

Shallow stream crossings

Gradually increase surface abrasiveness to avoid injury. Use spurs or veins for testing surfaces first.

💨 Grooming and Rolling Zones

Provide both:

Dry rolling/dust bathing areas (away from water)
Wet rolling zones (adjacent to shallow water or mud)

Jackson observed horses lining up to roll in communal spots, often used for social ranking displays.

Dry dust also may repel insects and support skin vitality. Consider planting soft grasses or keeping a sandy patch raked.

🪴 Browsing and Enrichment

In the wild, horses supplement their diet with bark, shrubs, and even minerals they dig up.

Include:

Horse-safe shrubs
Browse fences made of willow or bamboo
Logs for rubbing or stepping over
Hanging objects (to paw or touch)

🛌 Rest and Shelter Zones

Horses nap and loaf in preferred areas. Provide:

Two or more camping spots on the track
Shade trees, windbreaks, or run-ins
Good drainage to keep resting areas dry

Don’t feed long-term in these areas to avoid idle behavior conditioning.

🧂 Mineral Access

Strategically placed mineral stations encourage movement and allow horses to self-select essential nutrients.

Use loose mixes or blocks
Offer calcium-rich deposits or sea salt
Rotate locations periodically

Horses may paw or chew at mineral sources, simulating wild behaviors.

🎭 Social & Behavioral Zones

Include:

Pull-outs or cul-de-sacs for social interactions
Viewing spots between herds
Grooming logs or corners

Play behavior, hierarchy testing, and rest all occur in these zones. These are critical for mental wellness.

🔁 Turnout Practices

Designing the Turnout Area:

Must be large enough for high-speed movement and play behaviors
Use safe fencing: high-visibility electric tape or wood rail
Include soft to medium-firm footing: turf, sand, or rolled gravel
Avoid obstacles and ensure good drainage
Consider locating the area centrally or with easy access from the main track
You can repurpose existing paddocks or pastures you already have; they may only need minor adjustments

This space enables galloping, bucking, mock fighting, and other vigorous behaviors vital to hoof shaping, muscular fitness, and social bonding.amics.

🌦️ Seasonal Considerations

Seasonal changes bring unique challenges and opportunities in Paddock Paradise. With planning, your track can remain functional year-round.

Winter:

Use textured or non-slip footing in high-traffic zones (e.g., crushed gravel or geotextile grids)
Ensure water does not freeze—use insulated or heated troughs
Provide windbreaks and shelter at camping zones

Summer:

Plant shade-providing trees and create water access zones for drinking and wallowing
Consider rotating grazing zones to prevent overgrazing and encourage track use
Provide additional dusting areas for insect protection

Spring/Fall:

Watch for muddy areas—consider using mud control grids, gravel, or redirecting the track
Replenish mineral and salt resources lost through sweat and weather

Seasonal adaptation ensures year-round comfort and safety, keeping horses engaged with their track.