Meadow View Track Livery

💦 Hoof Spa Day 💦

Rock crunching hooves are strong and healthy but not fun to trim, and can take its toll on a trimmers body!

We do our best to lighten the load by soaking hooves for 20 minutes before each trim so that Natalie Sargeant : DAEP can work her magic and give our boys & girl the trim they need.

Even our newbie Rory was happy to have his feet soaked once I'd spent some time reassuring him and praising him for being a big brave boy 🤍

Henry enjoyed his Hoof soak that much that he dozed off and was still half asleep during his trim 💤

Bangle stood like a queen for nearly 40 minutes because her hooves are the hardest on the track 💪🏼

And our golden oldie Ri-Ri doesn't always want his front feet in buckets so we see how he's feeling on the day but today we trialled a sponge under each Hoof and I'm pleased to say it was a great success 🙌🏼

Only 6 horses needed trimming today because the others are doing a fabulous job at trimming their own hooves. Another wonderful benefit of Track Life 🐎

Feel like I've just walked into a Ben Atkinson show 😍

Look at this beautiful Dragonfly I saw at sunset 🧡

Dragonflies are a symbol of transformation, adaptability, and emotional maturity. Because it spends its early life underwater as a nymph before shedding its exoskeleton and taking flight, its metamorphosis represents deep personal growth, self-realization, and the courage to embrace change.

Every sighting I see reminds me that we are only visitors here, and what a privilege it is to share this space with them. Even the smallest creatures have an important place in nature!

May we continue to live together in harmony, respecting and protecting nature for generations to come.

Welcome to MVT my friend 💚

The first trailer load of our bespoke hay has arrived 🚜
I feel like a child on Christmas morning 🌾🤩🌾

If only there was a 'scratch n sniff' button on FB because it smells divine! It is a beautiful mixture of Meadow grasses, Timothy & herbs, specially selected by me & our farmer to create a diverse mix.

It's turned out to be a bumper crop which means we have more than we need so if you want good quality, late cut, species appropriate forage for your horses from a reliable source, then you're in luck 😉

🌾 £40 per round bale
🚜 Delivery available within 15 miles from WF3 3QR.
🌾 Minimum 6 bales per load.
💰 Delivery cost to be discussed based on distance.

Inspections before purchase welcome.

Pre-order with delivery as required throughout the year.

Collection for smaller amounts welcome.

Contact Geoff to make arrangements- 07715 698708.

Same horse eating hay from the same box 🌾
In the same place but 4 years apart 👀

The track you see today wasn't eaten down by the horses because they spent more time eating hay than they did eating grass. It was mainly the constant movement from the horses all year round and winter that achieved this.

When we have a new horse come, the dividing sections that create a safe space between the Quarantine section and the rest of the track still grows grass when left to rest.

You can also see how they have made good use of the trees and hedges to create lots of natural shelter and wind breaks. Such clever ponies 💚

Just comparing chins 👀

I turned 40 this year 💃
Duke turned 21 💙
We have been together for a whole decade!

So many memories, so many lessons.
Both a little older, both a little bit wiser.

Grateful for every step of our journey that brought us closer together, two souls connected as one 💞

What a fabulous post & visual 👌🏼

Sometimes, owners are led to believe that setting up and using a track system is simple, easy and comes with a very long list of benefits.

Whilst the benefits are certainly long, using a track system is much more than just the track itself. In fact, some owners are led to believe that simply putting up their fencing in a certain way will suddenly create this enriching, healthy environment that they've been promised, without any real thought, research or consideration.

The truth is that this concept, paddock paradise, was formed from research and the observation of how wild horses in their adaptive environment live. There is intention and purpose behind this concept, and it is meant to be used with those things in mind.

Fundamentally, a track system should optimise your horses physical and mental health in domestic settings.

✅ Thoughtful design

➡️ This means observing your land and horses, and intentionally setting up your track system that encourages movement and natural behaviours, but reduces anxiety, vices and common health conditions. A badly designed track system will never work the way we want it to.

✅ Herd living & socialisation

➡️ A fundamental, core need for our horses is to live amongst others of their own species. Without companionship or herd living, they will never be at their healthiest. Natural herd behaviours and patterns is also a large portion of what encourages them to move, directly impacting their physical health.

✅ Patient, open-minded owners

➡️ The adjustment from traditional to track is often hardest on the owner, as opposed to the horse. Using a track system should be accompanied by a lifestyle change, one that challenges owners to admit when things need changing and to be adaptable, with an eagerness to constantly learn for their horse’s best interest.

✅ Enrichment

➡️ Enriching environments aren’t automatically created with a change in fencing, yet is fundamental to our horse’s mental health. Curiosity and seeking various types of enrichment is important to the success of the track system, be it a happier horse, increased movement or something to do besides seek forage.

✅ Adlib forage

➡️ Continual access to suitable forage (normally netted) can be the difference between a stressed, anxious horses always waiting for their next meal and a horse who can use their track system to it’s full potential. Whilst it may take some horses time to adjust, it is without doubt a must-have if you want your track system to work.

✅ A whole horse approach

➡️ Targeting individual parts of the horse often comes with restriction in some form or another, or simply overlooking important areas of care. Track systems prioritise whole horse health when used properly, producing results in a multitude of ways. However, this approach must be used in our management too, or the track will not work to it’s full potential.

✅ Species appropriate diet

➡️ Our horse’s diet has a huge say in how well they do, and fundamentally, how healthy they are. Without providing a suitable diet, the risk of metabolic disease, laminitis, colic, ulcers and grass related issues are all still a big risk, despite the fact that when used correctly, track systems work incredibly well at preventing said conditions. A poor diet is also often reflected in the hooves which can make healthy amounts of movement a struggle for some horses.

✅ Natural hoof care

➡️ Whether or not our horses are shod is a huge factor in how their entire body responds to increased movement, muscle and navigating terrain and land changes. Shoes and poor trimming have a direct impact on how well the hooves function and grow, potentially impacting their ability to move comfortably and reap the full benefits of track life itself. Healthy hooves, free of pathology, help to create healthy horses and vis versa.

Do you think I missed any? Let me know!

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For all your paddock paradise track system and natural horse care content, visit www.happytrackinmagazine.com

Mr Milo is really enjoying the Himalayan Salt Lick, looking very innocent under the morning sunshine 🌞

All of the salt options have been more popular lately with the warmer weather. We offer 3 different types:

💦 Salt water - which has been getting replenished 2 - 3 times a day.

👅 Himalayan salt lick - It will need replacing soon.

🧂 Loose salt - The bucket has been getting licked clean.

What salt options do you offer?
Any new ones we can try?

Please share your ideas with us 🙏🏼