1. Mud Management Mr. Eddie Franceschi Equine Resource Conservationist Montgomery Soil Conservation District

2. What is Mud? Wet Soft Sticky soil

3. Location of Mud on the Farm Next to Buildings Gates and Fence Lines Pastures Trails

4. Farm Aerial View

6. How to reduce muddy areas Restrict access of animals to wet areas. (Ponds, streams, marshes, wetlands, woodlands and pastures) Install a water crossing device. (bridge, culvert or ford) Create a travel lane that can withstand the traffic and soil compaction from horses. Maintain the conservation practice.

7. Next to Buildings Roof runoff from buildings creates muddy areas around the structure. Install roof runoff management system. Gutters, downspouts and pipe to remove water away from the building. Proper drainage away from the building.

8. Roof Runoff Problem

9. Roof Runoff System

11. Water Management

13. Next to Buildings Heavily traffic areas have high levels of soil compaction, thus no vegetation can survive. Install an impervious surface Concrete, asphalt, gravel or any other surface.

14. Compacted and Eroded Path

15. Gate Area Erosion

16. Fence Line Erosion

17. Fence Line Erosion Problem

18. Heavy Used Area Protection

19. Gates and Fence Lines Area with high soil compaction Install Heavy Used Area Protection Reseed areas

20. Pastures Low areas in the topography Steep topography Feeding areas Overgrazing Climatic conditions

21. Low Lying and Wet Areas

23. Fencing

24. Steep Topography

25. Feeding Areas in the Pasture Field

27. Overgrazing and Climatic Conditions in the Pasture Field

29. Water Crossings

30. Culvert Crossing

31. Ford Crossing

32. Trails Maintain water velocity and drainages under control Climatic Conditions

33. Trail Maintenance

34. Climatic Conditions