By Mary Jo Harrod Division of Compliance Assistance
D r. Steve Higgins, director of Environmental Compliance at the University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture (UK), is proud of what has been accomplished at the university's Spindletop Farm. For the farm's KY EXCEL project, the horse paddock area was renovated to demonstrate Agricultural Water Quality best management practices (RMPs). Water Quality best management practices (BMPs).
The farm’s once-large 20-horse paddock was renovated as a showcase for a variety of BMPs. This paddock that was divided by a stream had worn high-traffic areas around the creek, feeding buckets, running shed and gated areas where bare soil turned into dangerous mud during wet weather. Horses living on the farm had full access to the stream, destroying the vegetation and creating erosion. Erosion had formed a gulley 4 feet deep and 25 feet wide. To alleviate these problems, a fenced riparian area, the bank area of a natural water stream, and a gated stream crossing were installed, creating two individual North and South pad-docks that can now be managed in a rotational pattern. The rotational system allows one paddock recovery time while the other is in use.
BMPs, such as using fencing to exclude hor
BMPs, such as using fencing to exclude horses from the creek and installing a stream crossing with a hardened surface, improved the water quality by enhancing the stream corridor and protecting the natural stream course. To further enhance the riparian area, a fenced area of 30 to 50 feet on either side of the creek has been deemed a “no-mow” zone, invasive plants within the area were eradicated and native trees, such as white oak, birch, bur oak, persimmon and hickory, were planted within the protected buffer zone.
TOP LEFT: A shaded water tank is fed by a perennial spring, providing cool water for the horses to drink year-round. TOP RIGHT: Fencing was constructed around the creek to prevent further erosion of the creek banks, and native trees were planted within the buffer zone. ABOVE: One of two paddocks managed on a rotational pattern. Photos provided by the UK College of Agriculture D r. Steve Higgins, director of Environmental Compliance at the University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture (UK), is proud of what has been accomplished at the university's Spindletop Farm. For the farm's KY EXCEL project, the horse paddock area was renovated to demonstrate Agricultural Water Quality best management practices (BMPs). The farm’s once-large 20-horse paddock was renovated as a showcase for a variety of BMPs. This paddock that was divided by a stream had worn high-traffic areas around the creek, feeding buckets, running shed and gated areas where bare soil turned into dangerous mud during wet weather. Horses living on the farm had full access to the stream, destroying the vegetation and creating erosion. Erosion had formed a gulley 4 feet deep and 25 feet wide. To alleviate these problems, a fenced riparian area, the bank area of a natural water stream, and a gated stream crossing were installed, creating two individual North and South paddocks that can now be managed in a rotational pattern. The rotational system allows one paddock recovery time while the other is in use.