Building your own mud-free paddock - our instructions
How to build a paradise of wellbeing for horses.
A paddock should be a place where horses can feel safe, relaxed, and comfortable. In practice, however, this area often transforms into a slippery, muddy landscape whenever it rains—creating a hazardous sliding surface for both horses and humans. Furthermore, standing water fosters the development of hoof diseases and compromises the animals' long-term health.
With the OTTO Arena System, these problems become a thing of the past. The combination of a high-performance drainage system, a sophisticated layered structure, and our proven OTTO perforated mats ensures that excess water drains away quickly and the surface remains sure-footed year-round. The OTTO perforated mats stabilize the ground, prevent horses' hooves from sinking in, and create a resilient, joint-friendly foundation—ideal for paddocks that undergo heavy daily use.
The result is a paddock that not only impresses with its functionality but also becomes a true haven of well-being for your horses: dry, safe, clean, and pleasant to use at any time.
The advantages of our paddock surfaces
We incorporate OTTO-PerforatedMats for a permanently weatherproof paddock:
- No more mud
- Drainage for excess water
- Non-slip, shock-absorbent
- Separation layer between the sub-base layer and the paddock sand
Conclusion:
- Healthy, happy horses free from hoof diseases
- Greater safety for your horses and a more confident performance
Paddocks from OTTO meet the same high quality standards as our riding arenas:
- Gravel drainage layer as a permeable layer
- OTTO PerforatedMat (paddock mat)
- Backfilling with washed coarse send or chippings
- Footing with washed quartz sand with various aggregates
Our tip:
EARTHWORKS:
Depending on the quality of the existing ground or soil, we recommend installing a gravel base layer with compaction.
We recommend a maximum gradient of 0.5%-1%, The slight gradient will also assist drainage.
WILL YOU INSTALL ON CONCRETE, A FIELD OR CLAY SOIL?
Depending on the substructure available on site, we will find the right solution for the paddock you are planning. Do you want to build your paddock on a field, a paved/concrete area or clay soil? Just ask us and we’ll be delighted to help you.
2) OTTO PerforatedMat – our “paddock paving”
The OTTO PerforatedMat can be installed on a sub-base layer that has been correctly prepared and finished.
You can see all the benefits of our paddock mat here.
How you install OTTO PerforatedMats on the paddock surface:
OTTO PerforatedMats™ should be installed offset with a joint spacing of appr. 2-3 cm. The system of raised studs of varying heights and a water storage system must be installed on the upper surface of the mat.
3) Backfilling with washed coarse send or chippings
The OTTO PerforatedMat is backfilled with chippings or water-permeable coarse sand to prevent the fine sand from migrating downwards through the drainage holes of the mat.
4) Install a layer of washed fine, clay-free sand
The paddock sand can then be applied.
The paddock sand should contain no aggregates. as the horses could ingest them. Our OTTO ArenaPur sand consists exclusively of pure sand and is particularly water-permeable. No more muddy puddles will form on the paddock surface.
The right sand for your paddock
NOT ALL SAND IS CREATED EQUAL
We only use washed, clay-free sand mixtures to avoid the drainage holes from becoming blocked as clay settles after several rainfalls and compacts the bottom layer.
LONG SERVICE LIFE
You and your horses will enjoy your paddock for a long time to come.
OTTO ARENAPUR – THE PADDOCK SAND
Are you wondering if your sand is suitable for the paddock you are planning? Send us your sand sample or enquire about OTTO ArenaPur, the sand mixture that has been specifically developed for paddocks. We will be delighted to help you.
