Equestrain Direct Eco Arenas - Anygood???

[a1icem]

Hi

I need to get a sand school at home, and I came across these:

http://www.equestriandirectltd.co.uk/index.php?page=ecoarena

I'm doubtful as I've ridden on wood chip before and I didn't like it, also I know that it rots quickly and therefore is a fake economy.

The thing that caught my eye is the membrane with the drainage already in it (i think i understood it right!) so that you don't have to use aggregate etc.

I was just wondering if anyone has used it and can recommend it or not? Because I don't want to pay out for a school only to find that it floods just as much as my field does!

Thank you for your help (in advance!)

 

[kerilli]

a friend looked into this in detail and decided against it. i think it is only supposed to work on certain soil types etc.
does make me think that if it looks too good to be true...

 

[delfonte]

I have the membrane and I would not use it again, It holds the water and therefore the ground underneath stays never dries out, it is now worse than riding in the muddy fields, and it made the woodchip mushy very quickly. I am having to have the whole thing ripped up and started again.

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

you get what you pay for!! ok for some land types, but woodchip will break down to mush, and absorb water therefore freeze when very cold. buy cheap buy twice!!! save another few grand and put the groundworks in and the drains! and a good quality silica sand and either rubber or carpet shreds or similar! equestrian direct do sell some good surfaces. but it is cheape(long run) to do a proper job in the first place rather than pay for a cheapie and have to remove it all and start again!