Double R Stables says
“muck off” to time-consuming paddock upkeep with TrueGrid

TrueGrid is a muck-buster, creating clean and healthy footing for horses and eliminating time-consuming ranch chores.

“Hoof health is horse health. Controlling their environment to prevent moisture and bacteria prevents short term and long term equine health issues. TrueGrid is a great solution for healthy hooves.”

-David Arnold, Ferrier, Bozeman, Montana

Challenge

Running a private equestrian stable is both a business and a labor of love. The health and well-being of clients’ horses is critical. And staying on top of the property to keep it clean and safe comes with a never-ending list of chores.

Mirriam-Webster defines “muck” as “foul matter that mars the purity or cleanliness of something.” Horse owners define it as an annoyingly constant fact of life. Muck isn’t just a messy eyesore, it can be unhealthy for our equine pals. Keeping horses’ feet sound and healthy when weather is wet and footing is precarious is tricky. Horses can develop thrush, hoof abscesses, hoof cracks, pastern dermatitis and even pulled tendons, ligaments or fractured bones. A dry stall is a safer stall.

It’s no different for Double R Stables in Belgrade, Montana. With 30 horses under their care, 12 outdoor paddocks, and the extreme weather fluctuations of the Rocky Mountains, the owners look for ways to efficiently maintain every aspect of the property at a high standard. The outdoor paddocks are an endless battle with muck when wet weather, manure, and mud build up, particularly in the fall and the spring.

Double R needed a long-term fix for their quarantine paddock, which holds in-coming horses for 2 weeks before integrating with the herd. The paddock was essentially unusable for months during wet seasons, as it was nearly impossible to keep clean. To make matters worse, it was near a culvert that diverted additional water into the equine footing. The standing water was too much for the compacted clay soil to absorb.

Solution

Double R Stables turned to Montana Hardscape Hub to redesign their paddock footing for mud control using TrueGrid permeable pavers.

The new footing was installed layer-by-layer. The 8x13 foot paddock was excavated to 8 inches deep and leveled. Since the surrounding ground was already compacted, no additional edging materials were needed. A geosynthetic fabric was pinned to keep the native soils from mixing with the TrueGrid system. 4 inches of ¾ minus con rock was added to the base and compacted for stability and water detention. TrueGrid PRO PLUS permeable pavers were snapped into place and shaped to the paddock with a circular saw. And finally, concrete sand was added to fill and top off the TrueGrid for hoof comfort and drainage.

Without TrueGrid

With TrueGrid

Result

“TrueGrid was a game-changer. We constantly fight muck build-up in our outdoor paddocks, particularly when the weather changes. Instead of creating a muddy mess, now rain, snow thaw, and horse urine pass through the sand and the pavers. The footing is stable, and cleaning stalls is easier than ever.”
- Kate Bradley, Double R Stables Owner

The TrueGrid equine footing system drains instantly, eliminating mud and standing water, preventing bacterial buildup, and promoting healthy hooves. The pavers keep sand securely in place, providing comfortable even footing that stops horses from digging. Manure and hay are easily removed, so cleaning is quick and painless, leaving staff time for endless other chores!

TrueGrid is the world’s strongest equine mud control grid. Use it in paddocks, stables, barn aisles, wash areas, turnouts, arenas, roadways and any muddy or unstable areas on the farm or ranch. It’s strong for heavy loads, from Clydesdales to John Deere.