What is a paddock
paradise?
The paddock paradise track system is a concept created by Jaime Jackson, formed from his studies on the wild and free-roaming horses of the US Great Basin. Its purpose is to facilitate health and soundness both mentally and physically by creating an environment that mimics how horses in nature move, forage and socialise.
A track system typically follows the perimeter of your field, making a fenced off area that forms a loop, incorporating 'stations'. Stations are used to encourage movement in search of forage, water, shelter and enrichment, mimicking how the wild horse will travel upwards of 20 miles per day to fulfil their needs. Horses kept on track systems are also kept with company or in herds to promote natural behaviours associated with a prey and herd animal, and are given hay as their main source of forage, similar to how horses in nature will forage on dry, low nutrient dense grasses, with trees, hedges and plants to browse on for variety and enrichment.
The paddock paradise track system looks to nature and aims to mimic the horse's adaptive environment in domesticated settings.
To summarise, a track system:
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Increases movement on a day to day basis, increasing fitness, stamina and muscle growth whilst managing weight (loss or gain).
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Restricts or eradicates access to grass and other known inflammatory sources, decreasing the risk of Laminitis and metabolic disease.
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Allows horses to live in herds or with other horses so that they are able to engage in and express their natural, normal behaviours, reducing boredom, stress and anxiety related behaviours.
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Allows continual turnout without the threat of grass, 365 days of the year.
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Creates engaging, enriching environment to stimulate the body and mind.
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Prevents, manages and rehabilitates common equine conditions such as Laminitis, EMS, obesity, hoof pathology and more.
The 4 Pillars of Natural Horse Care
Paddock Paradise is one of the 4 pillars of Natural Horse Care (NHC), which uses the lifestyle of wild and free roaming horses living naturally in the U.S Great Basin as it's model. All 4 pillars work together to support each other for the equine, healing and strengthening the horse's body, mind and soul.
Reasonably Natural Diet
We often refer to this as a species appropriate diet, to avoid confusion. Providing a diet that is near to natural or species appropriate as possible, with free access to hay and various bushes, trees and herbs.
Natural Horse Boarding
To understand the nature of equines and provide them with a mixed herd to encourage natural social behaviours and dynamics. There are no use of paddocks, or stabling, isolation and limited turnout.
Reasonably Natural Diet
We often refer to this as a species appropriate diet, to avoid confusion. Providing a diet that is near to natural or species appropriate as possible, with free access to hay and various bushes, trees and herbs.
Natural Horse Boarding
To understand the nature of equines and provide them with a mixed herd to encourage natural social behaviours and dynamics. There are no use of paddocks, or stabling, isolation and limited turnout.
Natural Hoof Care
The Natural Trim is defined as the humane mimicking of natural wear patterns - to understand what a natural hoof is and trimming to replicate what take and what nature would leave.
Natural Horsemanship
Natural schooling, ridden work and ground work is based on what movements are natural to the horse; nothing is forced.