Gravel or sand footings in paddocks provide an excellent footing for horses. They are good for reducing mud, for decreasing erosion, and they make chore-life easier by simplifying manure removal – it’s much easier to remove manure from gravel or sand versus dirt or mud. However, a possible downside to using a gravel footing product is a potential increase in urine smells. This can be a real concern from the good neighbor standpoint. Plus, breathing ammonia is unhealthy for horses and unpleasant for us.
In this article series, I’ll address several useful ways to tackle paddock odors. This month I’ll start with the basics and will discuss the odor control benefits of zeolites, a mineral found in clay. Next month I’ll talk about beneficial microorganisms as well as other popular options.
The most important concept is to begin with healthy soils and good topography BEFORE you put down any gravel. Don’t begin by dumping gravel or sand on top of a bunch of mud or muck, and then wonder why it smells bad. Be absolutely certain that you have a good, even slope to the surface you are putting the gravel on. Any depressions in the underlying soils, however slight, will pool water (and urine) under the gravel, potentially causing odors.
Next, there are a variety of products that can be sprinkled on the urine spots to neutralize odors. I have found zeolite products to be the cheapest, most effective solution. Zeolites are naturally occurring minerals found in clay that have a very porous structure. Among other beneficial uses, zeolites are used in industry for many purposes including odor control, toxin removal and as chemical sieves. For horse owners, they can be used to bind with the ammonia in urine.
The pores in the zeolite minerals bind with ammonia molecules, holding onto them until naturally occurring bacteria break down and eliminate the ammonia. Zeolite is in many stall deodorizer products, such as Sweet PDZ, Stall Fresh, and several other brands. These products, which look like finely ground kitty litter, can be purchased at feed stores. Sweet PDZ, a product I have been using for many years, comes in a powder and granular size. In some areas of the Pacific Northwest, an additional larger size (usually ˝” pieces) called a “paddock product” is available, which is most useful for a horse’s outdoors areas.
The most effective way I have found for using Sweet PDZ is to buy several bags, like 3 to 4 per paddock (my favorite is the “paddock product”). I work 2 to 3 bags into the horse's "pee spot," digging down and stirring it in well. Then, I take part of a forth bag and sprinkle it across the top. I find this method to be quite effective and to last a long time.
Next month we continue with odor control by discussing beneficial microorganisms and other useful options.
Until then, good horsekeeping to you!
