Gravel and horses feet

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Patchworkpony

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We are putting up a small yard at our new home and the boxes will have concrete in front of them but then in front of the concrete will be a gravel area that leads to the house etc. - there is no way round this situation. My question is does pea gravel get in horses feet easily (naturally the feet would be cleaned out often) and do other people have experience of this? My other worry is that shaving will blow all over the gravel and create a mess. I am rather yard proud so any suggestions would be very welcome.
 
I have my horses at the back of my house and gravel is on the front drive but inbetween I have a tiled drive so the stables are a good ten or so meters away from the gravel, so hay and bedding does not really get on the gravel but will blow on the tiled bit so I can sweep that. I have not noticed the gravel getting stuck in there feet and it is the small stones kind, so I suppose it depends how far the gravel is from your stables how far are they?
 
I had similar so made concrete area as big as I could for sweeping up purposes, I have since then added an extra flat area using paving flags which made a difference. I have also put a track through gravel/chippings where they go in and out of field etc. For this I used paving flags again which we got from a reclaim yard and they were ex pavement flags so quite substantial.
 
I have gravel around the concrete areas that are by the stables, there's loads of hay in it so it grows grass! And the gravel is constantly being swept up as it spills onto the concrete area. The horses feet have been fine though it rarely goes in and gets stuck. If I had a choice I'd get rid of it. They do have to go over it to leave for a hack but not to get to the field. I've had no stuck stones when hacking either from this. It's mostly a pain due to not being able to sweep mess from it. I'd have as big a concrete area as possible if u can then you'll have less mess, but feet should be fine
 
Lovecobs - you have confirmed what I thought. I know the gravel will be a pain but there is no where else suitable to put a stable yard. I think Pathclear might solve grass growing in the gravel, you could give it a try. You water it in about three times a year and it kills any weeds as soon as they start to grow - I have used it successfully on gravel areas before. I also think that maybe a leaf blower would help get rid of the light stuff from the gravel. I guess life is all about compromise!
 
We used rake about an acre of gravel daily to get the hay removed from it. Serious celebrations when it was tarmac'd. A fan rake is what you need tho (shudders) lol
 
Pea gravel is a pain BUT if very good for barefoot hooves. If horses are shod I'd use concrete instead since their hooves won't get the benefit, but if barefoot it may be worth the hassle.
 
tankgirl1 said:
Isn't pea gravel meant to be good for their feet? Or am I being thick? :p
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lol, yes - isn't it funny the differences? I would kill for a nice pea gravel loafing area for my horses, to help condition their feet! Instead we have lovely (muddy) paths so the shod horses don't get stones stuck in their shoes :o
 
Have to say has having put up with gravel and chippings for over 20 years it was a wonderful day when I could finally have house yard done with little pavers that look like cobbles. Drive is so long and steep we have two concrete tracks up it and have to mow strip in middle, it is safer than the concrete for ponies to walk down as drive is very steep.

Your new project sounds exciting PP. Hope you can show us pictures of progress.
 
Thanks everyone for your help. Originally we were going to put the stables elsewhere on the property but since moving in we have discovered that our nearest neighbour is SERIOUSLY nosey. We caught him peering into windows, on our property, when we had gone out - but came back within three minutes to pick up something we had forgotten. He ran away and went through a hole in his hedge - which needless to say has now been blocked. We have also put up loads of fencing and gates which has rather cramped his 'peeping Tom' style. If the stables went where we had first planned he would have a birds eye view of everything we do as he comes and stands by his bit of field and stares in. I plan to plant lots of conifers etc. but they take too long to grow to give us privacy immediately. So thanks to this little nobody and his gossipy dreary little wife, with nothing in their lives, we have had to change our plans somewhat. At least it is a brilliant excuse not to speak to him as he asks constant questions and could bore for Britain. As my husband would say what he needs is a fell pony - that would soon give him something to think about other than his neighbours.
 
Its used for BF horses as it squishes up into the foot and is like a massage/exfoliation treatment. Its really good for strengthening the palmar hoof and aids in sole thickness and rolling the wall between trims. Also great as means you have the horse not just standing on soft mud all the time so shouldnt be sore when out and about.

Whip the shoes off and make us all jealous with ur perfect bf yard! :P
 
Patchworkpony said:
lachlanandmarcus - I didn't know that. Why is it good for barefoot hooves, is there a medical reason?
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Yes, it stimulates the frog and hence blood flow around the hoof. It also provides relief for the loading forces on the edge of the hoof and toughens the sole area.

Nb it needs to be the small roundish smooth pea gravel not big standard sharp stuff. If its the right stuff you can walk on it barefoot too without ouching and horses are quite happy to lie on it too.
 
I am too far from neighbours for them to see me,but I do have a public footpath leading to NT land which is very walked along side the stable paddock. We planted rosa rugosa as a screen and it has worked really well. It grows fast tall and wide, feeds the birds from the hips and has
pretty flowers in summer. If you intersperse with some fast growing holly you would have a hedge that would attract birds etc as well as be easier to control than conifers
 
I sprayed it and now have dead grass lol, but obviously did it after it had grown, I'll get better at it! And I'll get one if those takes as well thanks for the tips! Good to know there's some advantage for their feet though! I can't change mine so I'll be dealing with it.
Hope u get the privacy u deserve OP!
 
Thanks Adopter - good idea. I will probably mix in other shrubs with the conifers but I need something evergreen because the neighbour has even been seen peering through the branches of the young conifer trees along the front.
 
Pyracantha has good spines that stops people peering through! I have used it effectively to cut off people short cutting! I am sure you are aware which trees and shrubs have to avoided round horses.

Your neighbour definitely sounds as if he does not have enough to do!
 
Thanks Adopter - Pyracantha is an excellent idea by the time I have finished planting the boundary that borders the neighbour's land it will seem like an enchanted forest! Then I shall put a post and rail border about fifteen feet away to keep the ponies safe. No he definitely doesn't have enough to do - what is worse he really thinks he is a countryman but doesn't know the first thing about rural living.
 
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