Preventing Paddock Flooding: Effective Strategies for Horse Owners | Bakersfield Horse Care Tips
Channel: John Harrer
Date: 27/12/2021

Discover essential tips for horse owners in Bakersfield to prevent paddock flooding and ensure the well-being of your equine companions. In this video, we explore effective strategies to manage excessive rainfall, minimize puddling, and maintain a safe environment for your horses.

Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
0:30 Understanding Bakersfield's Rainfall Patterns and Drought Challenges
  Challenges of Paddock Flooding and its Impact on Horse Health
1:20 Tried-and-Tested Solutions: French Drains and Drainage Techniques
  Exploring the Pros and Cons of Decomposed Granite as a Paddock Surface
 2:05 Lessons Learned: Balancing Comfort and Safety for Horses
  Mitigating Sand Colic Risks and Ensuring Optimal Horse Care
2:50 Observing Best Practices and Incorporating Lessons from Other Horse Owners
 Embracing Resilience and Moving Forward in Horse Care

If you're a horse owner in Bakersfield, you understand the challenges of managing rainfall and ensuring the well-being of your cherished equine companions. Excessive rainfall can lead to paddock flooding, causing potential health risks for horses. In this informative video, we share valuable insights and effective strategies to tackle this common issue.

Bakersfield's rainfall patterns fluctuate between five and seven inches, with occasional droughts affecting the region. Our paddocks can typically handle a quarter to a half an inch of rain per day for a few days. However, when rainfall surpasses these limits, puddling becomes a concern, jeopardizing the safety and comfort of our horses.

We delve into tried-and-tested solutions such as installing French drains and employing effective drainage techniques to redirect excess water away from the paddocks. Additionally, we discuss the pros and cons of using decomposed granite as a paddock surface, highlighting its benefits and potential challenges.

Our experiences have taught us the importance of finding a balance between horse comfort and safety. While decomposed granite initially appeared to solve the flooding issue, we encountered unexpected sharp edges that caused discomfort for our horses. We share our journey of exploration and adaptation, constantly seeking the best practices to enhance horse care.

One of the lessons learned is the risk of sand colic, as horses inadvertently ingest sand while grazing in flooded areas. We discuss measures to mitigate this risk, including administering psyllium husk and mineral oil, as well as implementing larger feeders and protective mats to prevent sand ingestion.

As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we observe and learn from other experienced horse owners in our community. Incorporating their insights into our own horse care practices has proven valuable in addressing various challenges.

Join us as we embrace resilience, share our experiences, and move forward in providing optimal care for our beloved horses. Together, we can create safer, more comfortable environments for our equine companions in Bakersfield.

Subscribe to our channel for more informative videos on horse care, management, and tips for enjoying memorable trail rides. Let's build a supportive community dedicated to the well-being of our horses.

Tags:

Join me: 
 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whoa_podcast/
 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Whoapodcast
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhoaPodcast/
 Website: https://WhoaPodcast.com

My Non-horse YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3fziIJV

Listen to the Whoa Podcast about Horses: https://apple.co/3hDDA4J

 #horses #horsevideos