How to Cut a Cow Track
Unsuitable or badly drained cattle tracks are one of the chief causes of lameness in cattle. If cattle are repeatedly walking across loose ground, with sharp stones and other impediments, this will damage their hooves, causing lesions. Instead, a cattle track should be made of stone flags, which are smooth but will not become unduly slippery when wet. The flags should be kept clean and free of mud, to prevent any infection on the hooves. It should also be well-drained, to prevent cows from walking through pools of stagnant water.
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Things You'll Need
- Scythe
- Mower
- Shovel/digger
- Gravel
- Spirit level
- Stone cutter
- Gravel
- Mortar
Instructions
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1
Decide where the cow track needs to go. Cow tracks will either connect two pasture fields or connect a pasture to a milking shed or barn. An ideal place for a cow track is across an area of flat ground that will greatly reduce the overall distance the herd needs to travel making management of the herd more convenient.
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2
Scythe any long grass along the prospected root of the cow track. Remove any rocks or obstructions the shortened grass reveals, then mow the track with a grass mower to crop the grass even shorter. This gives you access to the soil beneath that will need to be removed.
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3
Dig the topsoil away from the surface to a level of about 10 inches. This can be done with a shovel although it is a laborious process and is best undertaken with a mechanical digger if you have access to one. Pour a 3-inch layer of gravel into the trench created by the digging and press down until it is firmly compacted and flat.
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4
Lay a spirit level on the gravel to ensure it is perfectly horizontal, then add another layer of gravel, approximately 1-inch thick across the middle of the track. Add more gravel to the sides to create a small, almost imperceptible ridge in the center of the track which slopes down to the sides.
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5
Use the stone cutter to cut the flagstones to the correct size. The flagstones should be approximately 1 foot wide and half the width of the track in length. Lay the flagstones side by side in pairs, with one pair equaling the full span of the road. The slope of the gravel will cause a slight gradient toward the edge of the track.
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6
Seal the gaps between the slabs with mortar. This prevents water running down between the slabs and eroding the bedding beneath, causing subsidence.
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