Best school surface

[MoonlitArcher]

Hey everyone. Just looking for some information about surfacing a new outdoor school. The owner of our farm is looking to build one and is struggling to choose between wood chippings, sand, carpet fibre and rubber.
The foundations are already in place with excellent drainage as there used to be a school here many years ago.
Looking for any information and opinions on the above choices... Which is most cost effective, which is easiest to maintain and ultimately what is best/ safest for the horses. The school will be used often for general schooling, lunging and jumping.
Thanks!

 

[Lady Jane]

Wood chippings rot quickly, sand can be deep. Carpet fibre and rubber are used by loads of good surface providers and you need to do research. Its a bit of a minefield...prices vary enormously

 

[VRIN]

An interesting question! I am currently needing to renew drains in my sand paddock and top up or renew surface. Its been down nearly 30 years so not done a bad service! At the time we were looking (some 30 years ago) there was not the choice there is today. Wood clippings were felt to be a good surface but rot down, silica sand blew away too easily, grit sand seemed to be a good choice. I selected grit sand. Fast forward 30years and grit sand is not considered an appropriate surface and there are lots of choices. Its not possible to mix silica sand or carpet fibre with the grit sand so I was looking at a new surface - lowest cost approx £5500 with a top cost of £13500. However on reflection, the original surface has not caused any problems for me or my horse(s) so I am going to top up with grit sand - against advice but based on my own experience seems a good choice.

 

[Neddie123]

I can't advise other than to say wood chips alone can become very slippery and horrible to ride on if your horse is unbalanced. I remember mine falling with me on board in canter a few years back in a wood chip school. It was soft to land on though!

 

[canteron]

I have a silica sand mix with very small bits of rubber, threads (they act like plant roots and hold it together) and something spongy which absorbs water and so it takes ages to dry out. It has done 20 years and is still great. Supplied by Ascot Arenas - not sure if they are still around though.

 

[Muddywellies]

I'd be very surprised if your planning department will allow rubber (mine wouldnt). It leaches toxins into the water table. You might need some guidance from them.