Canter track in field

[Pebble101]

Do any of you have a track around a field for fattening work? I have the chance of a large enough field to have this done, however it is on clay soil and gets very hard in summer (and boggy in winter)

How do you prepare and maintain (if at all) such a track? I have a local farmer with lots of equipment if necessary.

 

[Orangehorse]

People go to college to learn how to prepare and maintain grass gallops. It depends on so much and how enthusiastic your maintenance man is!

Clay soil is tricky, it can be impossible in the winter and you can't get on the land for weeks, if not months. And then in the summer it dries out like concrete. Speaking as someone living on heavy clay soil.

It would need mostly harrowing, only roll very occasionally as it compacts the soil and the soil has to be just the right moisture. Permanent pasture is obviously best as it does recover well.

Not been much help, sorry.

 

[MyDogIsAnIdiot]

Could you put a layer of woodchip down? When it firms up into a good base then add another layer etc.

That's how my old YO built his gallops, with the added advantage of the wood chippings being free. The track did end up being about 4ft tall but went between 2 pastures and was fenced so no danger of falling off it.

 

[kez81]

I have always found the trick with field track gallops is not to let them be grazed so the grass is well rooted and both holds the soil together better and helps stop it becoming too boggy or too dry. Get it cut with a lawn mower so it stays even and healthy.