Barefoot feet - Gravel for the field - which sort?

kezz86

kezz86

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Hi everyone,

I've recently moved to my own field where I can pretty much do as I please. So I'm looking at getting some pea gravel to help condition the horses feet.

I'm thinking about putting it around the trough area to help prevent wear to the grass there and hopefully it will have the added benefit of making the feet stronger.

So what sort of gravel do I get?

Would something like beach pebbles from Homebase be okay?

Also do I need to prepare the ground at all before putting the gravel down?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Fry up breakfast in a bap available to those who sort of understand what I'm asking!
 
From what i understand 5-10mm rounded gravel is the best. It is too large to get into the white line, but small enough to provide support in the hoof.
 
what about Wicke's? You want the smaller stuff so it gets in the crevaces of the foot to stimulate it but not so small it gets in the white line. if your using the smaller stuff i would imagine the ground will need some prep. prob cheaper to buy a load from towens!
 
Rather than several small bags, which will be expensive - look for a builders merchant/supplier and get a Dumpy bag of pea shingle delivered. :)
 
you may well need more than you think too.. we went and got samples and I think then had 4/5 ton on a small square area (prob 12 ft x 12ftish??). We have a few local aggregate suppliers but got http://www.bradfords.co.uk/product-details_28_10mm-gravel-in-bulk-bag.php in the end and got them to hold the bags above the area and slit them open. We dug a hole first and then lay landscape fabric- which has now started coming up- not helped by horses and the gravel has definitely spread! - any other gateways would just have hardcore on them these days.

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interesting stuff I'm really glad I asked as I have no clue really! ha!

I was thinking/ hoping to go with some of the grass matting stuff that you can get to protect gateway areas and then put the gravel in that for around the troughs so about 3metres square maybe a bit less unless I get carried away when we start putting it in!

I've found that Wickes do both the mat stuff and the pea gravel by the tonnes so possibly the best way to go?

This http://search.wickes.co.uk/search#w=pea gravel&asug=
 
Id put a border around the edge of wood/ half log type things to help to keep it in as well as your mats - make sure wherever you're putting it doesnt flood first else it will all wash away!
 
^^ I would do that too. We have also had trouble with water sitting on the top of it, when the gateway itself is not particularly wet!
 
TigerTail said:
Id put a border around the edge of wood/ half log type things to help to keep it in as well as your mats - make sure wherever you're putting it doesnt flood first else it will all wash away!
Click to expand...

Great tips thanks! I'll get something to go around the outsides of the mats.

The troughs and gate entrance are at the top of a gentle slope so hopefully gravity will stop the area from flooding.

I'll make sure its not in a dip in the hill too don't want to waste my money!
 
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