Help me build a medical paddock

[DressageLin]

Hi,

I need a medical paddock that’s approximately 40 x 40 per the vet.

I have the heebie-jeebies about using round pen panels with this particularly raucous horse. I just foresee this horse rolling, climbing or doing something stupid (even with the “horse-safe” ones.).

I’ve never used electric braid and temporary posts, but I feel like something like this with electric might be safer than round pen panels.

Ideally this would be something I can take down in a few months.

Any advice or experience you can share? I have an area that has good bit of stone dust down to serve as decent footing.

[trubandloki]

Does this horse respect electric?

Just electric, in a small area, can easily not hold up to a horse that does not respect electric.

They do sell step in posts that are taller, be sure to get those and have several strands of very hot electric.

[endlessclimb]

For a few months with a really raucous horse, I’d be pounding T-posts. You won’t need that many, make sure they’re TALL and you cap them. Make sure the fence is hot-hot-hot and keep the blankets off your horse if he can handle that - that way he gets popped no matter which body part hits the fence.

[LCDR]

I’d put up a 45 foot diameter wood post and board round pen. It will give the horse the same square footage of space as a 40x40 foot square.

He can hang his head over the rails comfortably without the stress of constantly trying to avoid getting zapped.You can always take it down later and use the materials elsewhere, but you might find that having your own round pen is a bonus after you’ve used it for isolation purposes.

[Old_Mac_Donald]

Run shadecloth on the inside of your roundyard panels (or conveyor belt) to a height of 1m. Use cable ties to attach. This is what we did to stop our dogs popping through bar gates. Conveyor belt is a favourite around here for cattle yards made from round pen panels.

[NaturallyHappy]

We’ve used electric tape and step in fiberglass posts for years. It’s always worked.

[luvmyhackney]

I wouldn’t use electric in a 40’x40’ area for a medical turnout. That just limits his space so much.

I would use tall modular chain link panels if possible.

Race horse folks use them in my area for small turnout options.

[MsM]

When my horse was young and boisterous and needed a medical paddock, my BO constructed what we called the “Velociraptor Paddock” He had a paddock that he was familiar with, so we added electric within that to reduce his space appropriately. (And trazadone!)

In your case you might want to put electric within panels. Depends on what he is used to and how respectful he is of fences and electric. IMO chemical help was needed to avoid lots of rollbacks and foolishness.

[4horses]

A round pen would probably be appropriate. My roundpen doubles as a paddock as needed. It’s in the shade with easy access from the house.

[Demerara_Stables]

@MsM

In your case you might want to put electric within panels. Depends on what he is used to and how respectful he is of fences and electric.

This would be my vote as well. I’m not sure how to attach the electric to the panels (all of the insulators I’ve seen have been for screwing into wooden posts or attaching to t posts), but if someone makes them, that’d be a good bet.

I would put t posts between the panels so they’ll be securely in the ground as well. I really like the ease, portability, and re-usability (is that a word ) of panels.

[starsandsun]

I have nothing to add, but wow! I had a medical paddock and it was 14x14, so essentially a stall outside the barn. 40x40 sounds like they could really get going.

[clanter]

@Demerara_Stables

I’m not sure how to attach the electric to the panels (all of the insulators I’ve seen have been for screwing into wooden posts or attaching to t posts), but if someone makes them, that’d be a good bet.

Tractor Supply carries " Field Guardian Pipe Clamp Insulators, Black, 10-Pack" SKU:
1715717, these appear that they would fit the stock panels we have.

The Field Guardian Pipe Clamp Insulators are a durable and sturdy choice for your fencing project. The clamp design of the fence insulator creates a secure grip on existing panels to support the wires.

The reason we have five interconnected parament paddocks is just in case we need to confine or isolate a horse, these paddocks are constantly used for various purposes

[Moss]

I’m just going to tell you to listen to the advice of the other posters because horses can seriously injure themselves on panels when they’re left alone. Case in point, I know someone whose horse, similar age, fractured her hock on a panel. She just got her leg caught and yanked her leg. She needed surgery. I’ve known other horses, young and old, that became cast in the panels and couldn’t get loose without human intervention.

Just don’t use panels. They’re dangerous unless you’re using them for what they were intended for: a round pen where you’re working the horse.

Personally, I would build a small wood stall with a string of hot wire where your youngster couldn’t get their legs caught, couldn’t bounce around too much, couldn’t climb, and couldn’t jump over the top.

[MsM]

I missed the size part! I would make it more like 24 X24. I would be afraid that bigger would allow the horse to work up some speed then crash to a stop. What are you rehabbing? We did very hot wire on step in posts inside the existing more solid fencing.

[Demerara_Stables]

@Moss

I’m just going to tell you to listen to the advice of the other posters because horses can seriously injure themselves on panels when they’re left alone. Case in point, I know someone whose horse, similar age, fractured her hock on a panel. She just got her leg caught and yanked her leg. She needed surgery. I’ve known other horses, young and old, that became cast in the panels and couldn’t get loose without human intervention.

This is a fair warning, but I don’t think it’s out of the question that the horse would be monitored when they are in the medical paddock. When mine had to be in such a set up, I basically stared at her the whole time because any pacing/trotting had to be stopped immediately.

[Laurierace]

I have used round pen panels for decades for this purpose and never had any problems even with a rowdy foal who had umbilical surgery. I like that they are easy to move around when the grass gets smushed down.

[Mardi1]

@DressageLin

I have the heebie-jeebies about using round pen panels with this particularly raucous horse. I just foresee this horse rolling, climbing or doing something stupid (even with the “horse-safe” ones.).

If the panels are solid, he would still attempt to climb ?
Maybe go back to your vet and ask what type of fencing he recommends.

[beau159]

@DressageLin

Hi,

I need a medical paddock that’s approximately 40 x 40 per the vet.

I have the heebie-jeebies about using round pen panels with this particularly raucous horse. I just foresee this horse rolling, climbing or doing something stupid (even with the “horse-safe” ones.).

I’ve never used electric braid and temporary posts, but I feel like something like this with electric might be safer than round pen panels.

Ideally this would be something I can take down in a few months.

Any advice or experience you can share? I have an area that has good bit of stone dust down to serve as decent footing.

I’ve used panels for years for things like this. Have never had an issue.

I like to set them up in a round circle, so there’s no corners. Pound in a couple T-posts here and there to secure the panels better if you feel you need it.

If you want to go the extra mile, then also use electric with your round pen panels and you’ll have a more secure wall and he’ll stay off it.

Horses can and do run through electric fences, if that’s a concerns for you. Then you’ve got a horse loose.