Ideas for walkways.

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sare_bear

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HI.

I have a courtyard, which consists of hard core, that the horses have to walk a hundred meters or so on, to get to their stables. Last year, it caused my horses to have bruised feet (barefoot), not surprisingly, but had only just moved there. I have started to dig up the hardcore, which is leaving a mix of gravel and cobble stones underneath. I want to put something on it this year, so I don't end up with lame horses at the end of winter.

Any suggestions?
I was thinking of sand and compacting it down? anyone used it for this purpose?
Have also been mentioned quarry dust that they use for cattle tracks.
The area is windy, so don't really want sand /dust blowing around. Will rolling it down be enough?
Had also thought of bark mulch, but as it is outside the stables, may be a pain when it gets covered in hay as won't be able to pick it up.

Hmm, any suggestions welcome. :)
 
I'd hire a whacker plate and hammer the hardcore flatter. Ours went pretty smooth when we were building the stables after that. Or tip wood chip over it and level it perhaps? It seems a shame to pull up a well draining hardstanding.
 
I wouldn't dig up the hardcore. It will be providing valuable drainage. I would lay either road planings, 20 mil gravel or preferably sand over the top of it.
 
Agree with road planings. I got mine delivered free from the guys who were resurfacing the road outside my yard. Maybe not the best time of year to put them down but should be ok if you use a wacker machine.
 
Oh no, why didn't I post before spending hours removing the hard core!! Its now on my driveway. Not sure if it is road planings, but it is very sharp! Think I might need a wacker machine and maybe mix it with some sand. Would sand stay put on its own if compacted down?

Also, does the wacker make the surface virtually smooth, or will it still be stony under foot. Have a few with flat feet that can't walk on gravel with going ouch every stride. Thanks
 
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It sounds as if you have a sharp stone similar to what I used to have it rolled smooth but then came up really rough over time an dwasn;t kind on hoofs. I have now moved to a new yard and have road plainings there is such a difference to there feet highly recommend
 
Not wanting to hijack or redirect the thread but a word of warning regarding road planings - some types of tarmac surface use a very large quantity of crushed (not very finely) glass bottles in the tarmac.

I had 15 tons of planings delivered for use as a turning circle for my yard and was amazed at the amount of glass content - other suppliers and surfacing people confirmed this is 'usual for some areas (geographical) and surfacing types'.

Alright now after they have been down nearly a year and had a lot of vehicle traffic but I would be cautious (and wanting a good roller) if using it for a surface for horses to walk on.

Just my two pence worth.
 
ANP Lincs said:
Not wanting to hijack or redirect the thread but a word of warning regarding road planings - some types of tarmac surface use a very large quantity of crushed (not very finely) glass bottles in the tarmac.

I had 15 tons of planings delivered for use as a turning circle for my yard and was amazed at the amount of glass content - other suppliers and surfacing people confirmed this is 'usual for some areas (geographical) and surfacing types'.

Alright now after they have been down nearly a year and had a lot of vehicle traffic but I would be cautious (and wanting a good roller) if using it for a surface for horses to walk on.

Just my two pence worth.
Click to expand...

Yes good point, I think its a case of look before you buy, go to a dealer as they may screen it it for you.
 
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