Paddock Paradise for Falabella miniature horses: natural horse husbandry for healthy hooves

The American Farrier Jaime Jackson is the founder of the Paddock Paradise principle. During his research on wild horses in their natural habitat, he discovered that hoof problems such as navicular disease and laminitis were virtually non-existent. These insights inspired him to develop a new hoof care method that made horseshoes redundant. In 1990, he stopped shoeing horses entirely and focused entirely on natural trimming in combination with a natural lifestyle and diet.

Jackson also founded the American Association of Natural Hoof and Care Practitioners and published the influential book in 2006 “A Guide to Natural Horsemanship”.

What is a Paddock Paradise?

A Paddock Paradise is a network of walking paths around your pastures, constructed with different surfaces. The goal is for horses—and in particular Falabella miniature horses — be able to move freely all day long.

This path system has several advantages:

• Limited grass intake, which helps prevent summer eczema, insulin resistance and laminitis.
• Stimulation of movement by offering water, hay in slow feeders and other roughage spread across the paths.
• Improved digestion thanks to regular exercise and a healthier diet.

A Paddock Paradise can be built on both small and large plots, even on plots from 2000 m² it is already possible.

Paddock Paradise for Falabella miniature horses: what should you pay attention to?

If you Falabella miniature horses If you want to keep it outside permanently, the following elements are important:

• A spacious walk-in stable for shelter from rain, wind and cold.
• Sufficient shady spots, for example trees or a canopy.
• Various soil structures such as loose sand, rolled sand, wood chips and pieces of paving to imitate a natural rocky surface.

This allows Falabella miniature horses to display natural behavior. They choose their own spot within the herd, sunbathe together, roll in the sand, or simply seek peace and quiet at a distance. Within the group, each horse develops its own role, and you clearly see their natural social behavior.

Want to build your own Paddock Paradise?

Online—including on YouTube—you'll find countless examples and inspiration for designing a Paddock Paradise. It always starts with a good plan and a suitable design, tailored to the needs of your Falabella miniature horses and the space you have available.