Horse Property Clearing in New Jersey: Pastures, Trails, and Paddocks

Pasture reclamation

The most common need. Pastures that stop getting mowed or grazed are colonized by autumn olive and multiflora rose within three to five years. By the time the woody growth is thicker than about two inches, a bush hog can’t handle it and the pasture needs forestry mulching.

The clearing returns the pasture to ground level. The mulch layer decomposes over the following six to twelve months. For immediate reuse as pasture, the recommended sequence is:

1. Mulch the overgrown pasture in late fall or winter 2. Disc the mulch into the soil in early spring (optional — for faster grass establishment) 3. Seed with a horse-appropriate pasture mix (orchardgrass, timothy, bluegrass, clover) in April-May or September 4. Keep horses off the seeded pasture for one full growing season to allow establishment

For properties where immediate turnout is needed, horses can graze on mulched ground once the mulch has settled (four to six weeks) — the mulch isn’t harmful to horses. However, the pasture won’t produce significant forage until the new grass is established.

Horse-safe considerations: Forestry mulching processes everything — including plants that may be toxic to horses. Tree of heaven, red maple, and black walnut are all present on NJ properties and all are toxic to horses in different ways. The mulching process grinds the plant material into fine mulch where the toxic compounds dilute and degrade rapidly. However, if large quantities of these species are present, discuss the specific risk with your veterinarian before turning horses onto freshly mulched ground.

Riding trail restoration

Horse trails need to be wider than ATV trails — ten to twelve feet minimum for single-file riding, fourteen to sixteen feet for riding abreast or for carriage driving. The mulched surface compacts under hoof traffic into a firm, well-drained trail that’s gentler on legs and hooves than hard-packed dirt or gravel.

Trail design for horses has a few specific requirements:

Low-hanging clearance. Clear overhead branches to at least ten feet (rider on horseback). The mulcher handles ground-level vegetation; overhead branches above the machine’s reach need chainsaw trimming.

Footing. The forestry mulch layer provides excellent footing for horses — firm but with some give, well-drained, and free of rocks. As the mulch compacts over one season, the surface becomes comparable to an arena-quality footing layer. Some horse property owners add a thin layer of sand over the compacted mulch for premium trail footing.

Slopes. Horses handle moderate slopes well, but steep descents are slippery on loose mulch. On steep sections, allow the mulch to compact (give it a few weeks of rain and foot traffic) before riding. Or add gravel on steep spots where traction is critical.

Water crossings. Horse trails that cross streams need safe footing at the crossing. The mulcher clears the approach on both sides; the crossing itself may need gravel or stepping stones for stable footing.

Paddock and turnout expansion

Adding grazing area by clearing brush adjacent to existing paddocks is one of the most cost-effective improvements on a horse property. The infrastructure (fencing, water, shelter) is already in place — you’re just expanding the cleared area to add usable acreage.

The mulcher clears the brush up to the existing fence line. For expansion beyond the current fencing, clear the new area, then extend the fence into the cleared ground. The mulched ground provides a clean, level surface for new fence post installation.

For paddock footing in high-traffic areas (around gates, water troughs, run-in shelters), the forestry mulch serves as a base layer. Add gravel or sand over the compacted mulch for a durable surface that handles the heavy traffic without turning to mud.

Fence line restoration

Horse property fencing — three-board, four-board, and high-tensile wire — gets buried under brush just like farm fencing. The fence row clearing approach is the same: clear both sides, expose the fence, assess condition, repair or replace.

On horse properties, the urgency is higher because fence integrity is a containment issue. A horse that can see through a gap in the brush and fence will test it. Clearing and repairing fence rows is a safety investment as much as a maintenance one.

Costs for horse property clearing

A single mobilization covering pasture, trails, paddock expansion, and fence rows is significantly more cost-effective than separate trips. Horse properties typically have the most diverse clearing needs of any property type — consolidating the work saves 20–30%.