Earth Ditch

This ditch has a drain on both sides

This is almost impassible to animals, but like many is vulnerable to modern farming practices which concentrate many cattle into one field for a short period of time. Unless fenced off they can soon destroy a section of ditch. When these boundaries were built cattle were smaller breeds such as Dexters or Kerry cattle. The number of animals kept was also less which meant the animals were less inclined to investigate and poke in ditches.

Earth Ditch

This ditch has been destroyed by animals

Originally six feet wide with both sides faced with stones set vertically this has been destroyed by allowing animals access to the sides. This is especially damaging if the ditch doesn't have much undergrowth or shrubs on it. Most farmers now use electric or barbed wire fences to keep stock away from ditches. In turn this means that ditches are not generally looked after because they are now of little use in many farms