Making a winter turnout area

[RPM]

I rent about 2.5 acres of grazing (on chalk) and am discussing with the owner making a yard/turnout area on part of it to provide a dry area for the worst winter months. The area is currently divided into three fields, which I rotate for my three horses, who live out 24/7.

I have a 16 x 10 mobile field shelter that can be used as a stable. We are considering buying a further mobile double stable unit or large shelter and creating a fenced off area with hard standing/concrete/road planings/paving slabs or similar to form a winter turnout area. I would prefer not to shut the horses in the stables overnight, but rather shut them in the yarded are with access to shelters/stables, ad lib large bale hay and water. The idea is to preserve the grazing and also to allow the horses a chance to dry out and for the farrier etc. When the weather was dry, I would open up the yard to the grazing. When wet, I would shut them in the yard

Has anyone done anything similar to this? What did you use for a surface and how much did it cost? What would be a practicable size for three medium size horses who all get on well together? They are all barefoot.

Landowner is prepared to contribute towards the costs in exchange for a small, but reasonable rent increase.

 

[JLD]

I have a similar set up although I only have one 13.2 barefoot pony on 2 acres of clay, I overnight him on a concrete yard with free access to bedded stable and hay. my yard area is 30 x 12 ' + about 15' x 24' on an L shape. the hard standing cost about 5k to put in 5 years ago but had to have quite alot of ground work as difficult access and on a slope. I would prob have one other small pony on my area but no more.

 

[kathantoinette]

I have a winter turn out area. It was dug out and filled with hardcore and then finished off with loose stone. I thought they were quite happy on it but poo picking from it was a pain and I felt it wasn't suitable for them to have a roll on (and never saw them do so), should the urge arise. It did blunt my horses shoes though. So, this summer we topped it with cheap quarry sand (£6 per ton). Most of it is fine but a few sludge areas where the sand had a bit of clay amongst it. They enjoy a roll in it. I have an orange pony now.

My area is about 6m x 20m and one horse and one pony have plenty of room. They live out in that during the day and come into the stables on a night time.

As for your cost, it would totally depend on where you are in the country and the prices from your quarry/contractor. My OH is a contractor and does this sort of thing for a living, so I was fortunate.