According to research and studies conducted by author, natural hoof care and wild horse expert, *Jaime Jackson, bands of (horse) family members move along familiar routes or tracks as they travel great distances to different places in their various territories. Because horses are animals of prey, they instinctively move in close (single-file) formation across these home ranges as they seek out forage, water, rolling spots, other herds with whom they wish to interact and other activities essential to their biology and survival. By providing them with tracks, we can trigger this instinct and stimulate natural movement. They quickly reveal their desire to use these tracks by creating narrow, worn down paths—just like in wild horse country— where travel or forward movement is the sole purpose or activity. OUR PADDOCK PARADISE IN WINDSOR JUNCTION, NS:
We started with an old growth forest set on the shores of beautiful Second Lake. We then cleared a “track” around the perimeter of the property (3-10’wide). The property has a fence running around the exterior, and an inside electric fence to delineate the track. In the centre of the property, we have built a full size riding ring. The horses travel around the riding ring, down a steep hill to the lakeside where their water trough is located. Their hay is dispensed throughout the track in slow feed hay nets. This creates the need for forward movement in the horses as they travel the entire track feeding and moving back and forth from their shelter and the water trough; located at opposite corners of the property.. Our horses have free access to shelter and forage. They are not locked in a stall or forced to eat at certain times. They live a life of movement within a herd; allowing them to interact with each other and their environment. The horses are free from the physical and psychological restraints that traditional horse care methods impose on them and by offering an environment that simulates a wild habitat as closely as possible, we reduce stress levels, increase social skills, improve fitness, and eliminate stable vices.
