Track Systems

[Alterration]

I would run an inner strand of electric off the barbed wire at the very least with either offsets or run the track “double inside” - meaning use posts on both sides keeping them both off the barbed wire AND the opposite side.

Most people use some sort of step in post and tape or electric rope. Whatever you do, ensure you have emergency breakaways on them. If you make your track more of a curve you may be able to get away with all step ins (so make an oval inside of your square/rectangle).

You don’t say how many horses you have but I like two feeding stations at the very least to reduce competition and crowding. I’ve got 8 horses on my track and that works well for us.

[lizloveshorses]

Thanks @trubandloki and @Alterration! I have 5 horses (3 boarders and two of my own) and there is electric on the inside of my barbed wire fence that’s not currently hot but I will hook it up for the track system. I like the idea of doing a curve, I’ll plan on two circular-ish loops to make more of a figure 8 shape.

Alterration - can you tell me more about the emergency breakaways?

Also has anyone bought the Horse Track System book by Amy Dell?

[Alterration]

Here’s an example of a type for rope fence - https://litzclip.com/en/safety-link/

Rope fencing can tangle up a horse pretty well and cause nasty compression injuries, so things like these can help keep that from happening.

With 5 horses, I might be inclined to create two feeding stations. When it was just my 4 on property, when I put out the second feeding station I noticed a lot less conflict behavior.

I have that book - have you joined the track system and paddock paradise groups on Facebook? There are multiple of them, and they all are pretty good (so far as I can tell!)

[PaddockWood]

@lizloveshorses

Also has anyone bought the Horse Track System book by Amy Dell?

I have it and it’s very.well.done. Highly recommend. Did you know there is a Facebook group w some 70k members? Horse Track Systems I think it’s called.

[Horsecrazy3]

Just ordered it. I have a winter track system and have been planning to expand it to all year round. It sounds like a good reference book to get more ideas on how to design and enrich it.

[PaddockWood]

Yeah and go spend time on the Horse Track System group on Facebook. The group is very active and it is amazing what people are doing on this planet with track systems. Total inspiration.

[lizloveshorses]

The book arrives today! I’m quite excited to take a look. Some friends just gave me pound in fiberglass posts and wire, but I’m thinking I’d rather do polyrope or polywire for the visibility. I know I’ll have to do tposts at the corners. Does anyone have any experience with this type of wire? Thanks for the litzclips link, I’ll get some of those ordered as well.

I am also on the Horse Track System group on FB, I’ll probably start posting pictures there once I get things set up. We just got a huge snowstorm yesterday so it’ll be another few weeks before I can put posts in the ground!

[Horsecrazy3]

My book arrived today. Had a quick look through and have already gotten a few ideas for expanding my track. Also looked at the Horse Track System FB group and have rethought a track plan I was contemplating on trying.