Paddock panel 54301
For arenas, lunging circles and heavily used spots. Heavy, sits firmly and needs no infill.
- Size50 × 50 × 5.3 cm
- Weight9.2 kg
- Load capacityapprox. 25 t
- Infillnot needed
Buying guide
Paddock guide: mud control with paddock grids
Work out how many panels you need and see your area in 3D.
Without a panel the hoof sinks in, with a panel the load is spread evenly.
How many paddock grids do you need?
How big is the area?
What is the ground like?
On mud, panels sink over time. With a simple sub-base of membrane and hardcore the area lasts much longer.
What goes on top?
Which one suits me?More settings
Extra for edges
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0Panels
Preview with sample prices from agrarzone.at as of 10.11.2026. In the shop you always see the current price here.
1Ground
With or without a sub-base?
Most paddock grids do not need a classic sub-base. What matters is your ground. As a rule of thumb: where you do not sink in wearing wellies, you can lay them directly.
Lay directly
Mow the grass short, level molehills and holes, lay the grids. If you fill them with soil, the grass grows through and holds the grids in place.
Lay directly
Sand drains naturally and is load-bearing. Level the area, compact it lightly, lay panels or grids and fill them with sand.
Lay directly
An existing gravel area is already a good sub-base. Remove large stones, level with grit or sand, then lay.
Sub-base recommended
On wet clay soil, panels sink over time. Better: dig out the mud, lay a membrane, add hardcore and compact it, level with grit.
Why a membrane?
Without a membrane the hardcore is pressed into the clay and the clay rises up. The membrane keeps the layers apart and lets water through.
How much hardcore?
On soft ground 10 to 20 cm is usually enough, well compacted. On very wet ground, drainage also helps.
Plan a slope
A 1 to 2 % slope lets rainwater run off to the side. So even after heavy rain no water stands on the paddock.
2Grids & mats
What suits your paddock?
Paddock grid ECO
For paddocks, turnout and muddy corners. Open grid for filling, made from recycled material from Austria.
- Size50 × 50 × 5 cm
- Weight3.5 kg
- Load capacity450 t/m² (without infill)
- Infillyes
EkoGrid EG40
For paddocks and paths when you carry a lot yourself: only 1.5 kg each, quick to lay.
- Size50 × 50 × 4 cm
- Weight1.5 kg
- Load capacity286 t/m²
- Infillyes
Paddock mat UNIVERSAL
For paddocks, field gateways and paths. Large mat, quick to lay and easy to cut to size.
- Size112 × 79 × 4 cm
- Weight34 kg
- Load capacity25 t
- ConnectionButted edge to edge
Perforated mat 118 × 85
For arenas and paddocks with lots of rain. Drainage channels carry water away quickly.
- Size118 × 85 × 4 cm
- Weight21 kg
- Load capacity15 t
- ConnectionButted edge to edge
Belmondo Flix perforated mat
For field gateways, tracks and driveways. Joined with cable ties and can be moved at any time.
- Size175 × 110 × 2.4 cm
- Weight17.5 kg
- Load capacityfor grazing animals
- ConnectionCable ties
Belmondo paddock mat
For paddocks and wash bays. Soft rubber with diamond profile, gentle on tendons and joints.
- Size100 × 100 × 2.4 cm
- Weight22.1 kg
- Load capacitycan be driven on with a yard loader
- ConnectionPuzzle
Prices incl. VAT. Plus infill material, hardcore and membrane if needed, and delivery by freight carrier.
3Laying
Laid in 6 steps
Mark out the area
Mark the corners and plan a slight slope.
Prepare the ground
Mow or level, on mud put in the sub-base.
Choose a straight edge
Lay the first row along the stable wall or fence.
Connect the panels
Clip together row by row, cut to size at the edge with a saw.
Infill
Fill the grids to the top edge, sweep in and dampen.
Secure the edge
Timber edging or kerbstones keep infill and panels in place.
Infill makes the difference
Only once filled do grids give secure, non-slip footing, and the cell walls are protected from hooves and vehicles. So never leave an area open for long.
What to fill with?4Infill
What to fill with and how much sand goes on top?
Sand
Soft and gentle on joints, the classic for paddocks and arenas. Use washed sand.
Pea gravel
Lets water drain away especially quickly. Pea gravel rather than grit, because sharp edges are bad for hooves.
Wood chips
Soft and warm, but they rot. Expect to top them up every year.
Soil with grass seed
For areas that should stay green, such as field gateways with little traffic.
0.04 m³ per m²is roughly what a 5 cm deep grid needs for infill, so about 8 m³ for 15 × 12 m. On top, 2 to 3 cm of sand is enough as a walking layer. A thicker loose layer quickly turns back to mud in the rain.
Do I need planning permission?
This depends on the planning rules where you live and your local council. Loose-laid panels without foundations usually do not count as a structure. The more permanent and larger the area, the more likely you are to need permission.
- More likely to need permission: hardcore sub-base, foundations, roofing, large areas in open countryside.
- Usually unproblematic: small areas around the yard, loose-laid grids.
- Also check water protection zones and distances to neighbours.
Before you build, check briefly with your local council's planning department. A phone call is usually enough.
Alternatives to paddock grids
Wood chips
cheap, soft, quickly spread
rot within 1 to 2 years and turn muddy again without drainage
Gravel alone
load-bearing and inexpensive
stones shift and get trodden in, hard surface for hooves
Paving or concrete
very durable, easy to muck out
expensive, seals the ground, slippery when wet
Rubber paddock mats
soft, non-slip, ready straight away
heavy, water must be able to drain well
You will find rubber mats among our Paddock mats.
Frequently asked questions about paddock grids
Planning & costs
How many paddock grids do I need per m²?
With the usual 50 × 50 cm panels it is 4 per square metre. Add 3 to 5 % for edges and cutting, the calculator does this automatically.
How much does a square metre of paddock grids cost?
That depends on the panel and the quantity. Light grids are cheaper than heavy closed panels, and with tiered prices the price per m² drops noticeably for larger areas. You can see the current prices on the panels above and directly in the calculator.
How long do paddock grids last?
Good plastic panels last many years because they are resistant to frost, wet, urine and UV light. The paddock grid ECO comes with a 20-year guarantee. To make it last that long, the grids should always be filled.
Ground & laying
Can you lay paddock grids without a sub-base?
Yes, on load-bearing ground such as grass, sand or gravel you lay paddock panels and grids directly. The area should be level and free of large stones. Only on permanently wet clay soil is a simple sub-base worthwhile.
Can you lay paddock grids on mud?
In the short term yes, the area can be walked on straight away. On soft clay, however, the panels sink over time and mud pushes up. So dig out the mud, lay a membrane and put in about 15 cm of hardcore. On that, the panels stay stable for good.
Which membrane goes under paddock grids?
A water-permeable geotextile separating membrane. It separates hardcore and clay so the layers do not mix. Choose a robust membrane that can also withstand sharp hardcore, and let the strips overlap by about 30 cm.
In everyday use
How much sand goes on paddock grids?
First the grids are filled to the top edge, at 5 cm depth that is about 0.04 m³ per m². On top, 2 to 3 cm of sand is enough as a walking layer. A thicker loose layer quickly turns back to mud in the rain.
Can you drive on paddock grids?
Yes, all panels and grids in our calculator can be driven on, for example with a yard loader or tractor. It is important that grids are filled to the top edge, otherwise the cell walls can break under the load.
Are paddock grids non-slip?
Once filled they give very secure footing, because hoof and boot stand on sand or gravel rather than bare plastic. Unfilled grids can be slippery when wet. So always fill them to the top edge.
Can a horse with studs walk on paddock grids?
Yes, if the grids are filled to the top edge. Then the studs stand in the sand and not on the cell walls, and the panels are protected. On open, unfilled grids studs can catch and damage the cell walls. Robust panels such as the paddock panel 54301 or the ECO grid cope best with the load.
And in the stable?
Stable mats for horse stables and aisles
Outside, paddock grids give you firm ground, inside, stable mats protect joints and hooves and save bedding.
To the stable mat buying guideQuestions about your paddock?
Our customer service is happy to help you plan.