I would imagine they could get hoof rot or hoof scald like goats.

Not sure what type of ditches your digging, but have you considered putting in some french drains for a temporary fix? I'm thinking of putting some in for a wet area on my property. It's just a narrow ditch with pebbles wrapped up in cloth, then covered over. The water drains down the ditch towards a designated area or pond, and most importantly lowering the water table around the drain. A google search would bring up some detailed descriptions.

BrendaSue

Horses get thrush. It can make them lame.

You treat it like hoof scald for sheep & goats.

They can also get something called "scratches" which makes a mess out of their skin just above the hoove. Scratches is harder to get rid of, and also can cause lameness.

Horses can stand being in "wet" spots, as long as they have someplace to come into and get dried off for a portion of the day, but it isn't a good idea to just leave them out in wet, muddy fields 24/7.

ohhh-I thought we were talking about cows. lol. I don't think it's healthy for any hooved animal to be on wet muddy fields 24/7.

I'd better get some coffee or take a nap.

I don't think they can get anything terrible. Cows that stand in an open free stall w/o bedding can get hoof warts that are kind of gross. around here most farms that have that kind of situation have a foot bath w/ copper sulfate (or phamaldahide according to my father) in it. They cows have to walk through it to get through the doorway.
I'd think if they are just on wet ground in the pasture and have access to higher, dryer ground, they'd be fine.
I'm assuming your talking about putting in drainage tile? If you need any help on that one, give me a call! I've installed what seems like miles of the stuff. My father funs an excavation business and it seems that drainage tiling is his most requested job. If I never see a roll of drainage pipe I'll be happy!

They can get hoof rot. It's caused by anaerobic organisms and they are abundant in dirty and wet environments where ruminents are kept. My son rotated their pasture fields and we were kept busy setting up temporary fencing because some of the areas with permanent fencing were dank in wet weather. A lot of how tramped it's going to get depends on how many head you are keeping in a given amount of space. If they are sloshing around with no way to get out of the mud for any extended period of time, you can expect problems.

Thanks for all of your posts. I was thinking of french drains if the ditching and subsoiling aren't enough. I would like a pond.
I'd expect to have no more than several head of cattle. There is lots of space for that few (9 acres) which would be cross fenced for rotation. I think the thing is keeping them moving so that when mud pokes through move them to the next pasture. The pasture is great but it is low. I think I'll wait until I've worked out the issues. But I am one who brings things home too. Thanks.

You would be best advised to deal with the drainage problems before putting livestock on your pasture. Besides the problems associated with hoof rot, keeping animals on wet ground will ruin your pasture in short order and instead of grass growing you will create a haven for weeds as the cattle, horses, etc. tromp down the grasses and leave your pasture a mucky mess of churned up mud.

We have horses on our farm and when it rains they are shut up in the barnyard until the ground has had a chance to dry. They also are not on the pastures during the winter months for the same reason, they'll ruin the good grass by tromping around in snow and slush on the days that temps are above freezing.

Good pasture management is very important.