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Mud free zone
Posted 6th November 2024
How to beat the mud this winter!

Leg work
When it comes to cleaning your pony’s legs, you have two options. It’s best to leave the mud to dry on the legs then brush it off, but if you have a show to get ready for you can wash his legs to remove all the mud, then thoroughly towel dry them afterwards. Whichever method you choose, once your pony’s legs are clean and dry, check them carefully for early signs of mud fever, or injuries.
Perfect paddocks
To prevent fields getting too poached, it’s important to ensure there aren’t too many ponies turned out in too small an area. Not only can deep mud pull off ponies’ shoes, cause skin problems and put more pressure on joints and tendons, but it’s not pleasant for ponies to live in these conditions, either! As a rough guide, each pony needs around an acre of space, so talk to your yard owner if you have any concerns.
Top tip
Trough and field shelter areas can become boggy too, so why not ask if mats or rubble can be placed in those areas, too?
Guard gateways
Ponies looove standing around field gateways, particularly when it’s time to come in for their dinner. This leads to a build-up of mud which makes bringing your pony in a tedious task! To prevent gateways becoming boggy, they can be fenced off with electric tape or you can put down field mats in those areas. Ask your yard owner what might work best.
Clever cover-ups
Rugging your pony is a sure-fire way to keep him dry in wet weather. Plus, it’ll help him stay cleaner, too!
If the weather’s really bad, you could opt for a rug with a neck attachment to help keep your pony’s neck mud-free. That way, you’ll only have his head, legs and belly to tackle when he comes in from the field!
Find out more tips for beating the mud this winter in the new issue of PONY – out now!