anyone use hardstanding/barkchips area & not turnout?

[NeverSayNever]

just wondering;

i was recently talking to someone who told me that they get no winter turnout; but infront of their stables they have a barked chipped area, just big enough for their horse to kick up his heels, that the horse has access to.

just wondering if anyone else uses anything similar... Ive always been adamant that mine get turnout everyday, but my ground is totally poached at the mo

 

[alison247]

We have a driveway/ lorry parking area with road planings which we use. We hang hay nets on the post and rail. It is a pain to poo pick as stones come away too!
Our yard is 50x20 concrete and p&r fenced so leave doors open to let them decide where to go.

 

[ironhorse]

Lots of yards on the continent/the USA use a similar system asphalt/dirt area the same width as the stable (so about 4m) by 8 or 12m long for the horse to stretch its legs. We saw one in Texas which was an indoor barn with back doors out of the stable into little individual turnout pens.
It was 90deg when we were there so the horses would come into their stables for a doze in the hottest part of the day but still have good air circulation through the open door to their 'pen'.
The horses can mooch in and out or be shut out when you want to do their bed. You'd need a surface which didn't poach or dig up, would think bark would get pretty soggy and slippy.

 

[Smurphy]

I have a woodchip pen at the back of my stable, and its great, theres not been a day when i havent been able to use it this winter- the woodchip are on top of concrete and they never move and it only cost me £20 in all from the local tree surgeon.

 

[NeverSayNever]

thanks
hmmm.... im seriously thinking of getting either type1 or woodchip put down and fencing round it. This past week or so though, he's have hardly been out of it into the actual paddock as its been sooo wet!!!!!! Its not like I have any grass anyway, but its more for space for him to move about. (he lives alone). Bearing this in mind, what size should I try and get done (my stable is 10x12 & id leave this open for him)

 

[Bens_Mum]

We got sick of horses sinking and destroying our limited grazing and have had the top soil scraped back on an area about 20m by 20m and had sand/ bark put down and its been a godsend!

 

[hallarider]

I have a lungepen that I turnout into. Its woodchip and they can't chew the fence either as its galvanised steel!

 

[Bens_Mum]

Sorry to hijack post but does anyone know of any problems with anti chew products? My horse has developed some small swellings around muzzel and only thing I can attribute to is application of product to wood he has continued to chew....

 

[humblepie]

Years ago we used to open the stable doors onto a hardstanding area and they could wonder around or go into the stables if they wanted. If had own place again would look at something similar for occasional use.

 

[Orangehorse]

I noticed in the USA that nearly all horses are kept in a pen and fed hay all year round and very well they looked on it too. I know that the hay might be lucerne hay, so it is a complete feed. Some do get turned out into fields, but it is generally for a short time, even a mare and foal, apparently.

 

[christi]

i have a hardstanding area , i just leave the stable door open and she wanders in and out when she pleases.

 

[NeverSayNever]

ok, thank you very much

That's me made up my mind - so what size should I go for? Is 20ftx20ft too small?

 

[Smurphy]

my woodchip paddock is prob abotut 4 - 5 the times of my stable, I wouldnt want it any smaller- I would say as big as you can afford or make with the space avaliable.