Small Land, Big Challenges: Overcoming Industrial Spoil

At Switch Equine, we believe that even small parcels of land can be optimised for both animal well-being and ecological health.  

This 1.4-acre grazing site, presented a unique set of challenges: compacted, flood-prone soils, poor grass growth, and aggressive weed spread. Our task was to develop a low-maintenance, high-impact solution to improve soil health, optimize grazing, and support the well-being of two resident ponies all while working within the constraints of a rented site. 

Understanding the challenges

🌿 Poor Soil & Compaction: The site’s loamy, acidic soil had suffered from years of compaction, limiting root growth and natural drainage. In some areas, historical spoil from a nearby mill site had been spread over the land, further restricting regeneration.

💧 Drainage & Flooding Issues: A watercourse bordering the site to the north had a tendency to flood, making certain sections of the land difficult to manage, further constrained through the presence of spoil preventing water from draining off the land. 

🌱 Weed Infestation & Limited Forage: The dominance of dock and other weeds was reducing the availability of quality grazing for the ponies, making it difficult to maintain their health and weight naturally.

🐎 Animal Health & Land Use Conflicts: The ponies needed sufficient exercise and diverse forage, but the restricted area of land made it difficult to balance their movement with soil recovery. Traditional rotational grazing was not an option due to the size of the site and the compaction of the soil.

With these challenges in mind, we set out to create a plan that would work with the land’s natural strengths while addressing its weaknesses.

Our Approach: Working with Nature, Not Against It

To ensure the best long-term outcome, we conducted a full baseline assessment of the site, gathering data on:

✅ Soil health – Measuring compaction levels, pH balance, organic matter, and drainage capacity
✅ Vegetation & biodiversity – Identifying existing plant species, weed dominance, and areas for improvement
✅ Animal health – Consulting with the owners to understand the ponies’ dietary needs, grazing habits, and health concerns

This thorough understanding allowed us to create a customised land management plan that not only addressed immediate concerns but also provided a long-term vision for regeneration.

The Solution: Maximizing Land Potential with Smart Design

1. Smarter Grazing with a Track/Laneway System

Instead of traditional rotational grazing, which was impractical due to the size and condition of the land, we turned a challenge into an opportunity.

🚶‍♂️ High-footfall areas repurposed as a laneway system: Areas where spoil had been spread were naturally more compacted and resilient. By designating these areas as tracks or laneways, we could create a dedicated walking path for the ponies while allowing the rest of the land to recover and regenerate.

🌱 More grazing, less damage: This system also helped reduce poaching (damage to soil from hooves in wet conditions) and prevented the ponies from overgrazing sensitive areas.

2. Soil Regeneration & Improved Forage Growth

To encourage better grazing conditions, we recommended a targeted overseeding strategy with a carefully chosen seed mix suited to loamy acid soils.

🌾 Introducing deep-rooted species to break up compaction and improve soil aeration
🥗 Selecting forage plants that would not only support soil recovery but also provide a nutritionally rich and varied diet for the ponies
💪 Encouraging biodiversity by incorporating plants that naturally outcompete weeds and improve soil fertility over time

3. Natural Weed Control Without Chemicals

Rather than relying on chemical treatments, we used natural suppression techniques:

🔄 Strategic grazing & land rotation to reduce dock regrowth
🌱 Encouraging competitive plant species that naturally inhibit dock establishment
🛠️ Manual removal in targeted areas to prevent seed spread and encourage grass dominance

4. Drainage & Water Management Solutions

💧 Working with the existing watercourse, we provided simple but effective drainage recommendations to reduce waterlogging and protect the land from excessive flooding.