Why Choose a Track System?
Track systems are good for the land
Not only is a track system better for horses, it is healthier for the land as well!
Pasture in the middle
Although many users of the track system keep their horses away from grass, a paddock paradise provides plenty of grazing opportunities for horses that can tolerate grass. The pasture or pastures in the middle of the system can be used as turnout. The grasses there can grow longer than in traditional pastures because of its less frequent use.
Longer grass = healthier grass
A track system can help improve the overall health of your pastures. The meadow in the middle can grow unhindered by frequent grazing, which will let it complete its natural life cycle, thus seeding and contributing to lush pastures/ retaining life and thickness.
It also is superior to the sacrifice area strategy that is often suggested for smaller properties. The bare areas worn away by traffic are smaller and spread throughout the property.
Preserves local ecosystem
Track systems provide more opportunities for native wildlife and plants to grow than traditional paddocks. The aggressive grazing practices normally employed by horse owners often don’t leave a suitable habitat for wildlife, while the highly managed pastures leave little room for native plants. By leaving a minimally managed pasture in the middle of the track, you will be providing a habitat for birds, bugs, mammals, and plants that wouldn’t be possible in a traditional paddock.
This is confirmed in a study done by social scientist and researcher Tamzin Furtado, which reports that a well-managed pasture can "sequester carbon, reduce soil erosion, reduce nutrient run-off and provide rich environments for local insects, bird and mammals."