More attractive alternative to concrete yard - any thoughts?

[kit279]

I've got my stables in my garden and they are technically mobile so as to have dirt floors, rather than concrete. Last winter, I put some hardcore in front of them for the horses to use as hardstanding with the plan of putting some concrete down in front of them:-

However, they are right outside my back door which is great but I've been wondering if there's any more attractive alternatives than a concrete slab in front of them. The horses do dig at the hard core which churns it up so probably a gravel type alternative wouldn't be ideal and tarmac chippings or similar would be less nice to look than concrete so that's a non-starter. Any suggestions?

 

[*hic*]

Concrete is the most practical but how about the cobbled or paved effect stuff?

 

[martlin]

It depends how much you want to spend, but the rubber pavers look really well, are non slip and drain superbly.
http://www.equestrian-essentials.co.uk/flooring.html
other companies do them, too.

 

[*hic*]

It depends how much you want to spend, but the rubber pavers look really well, are non slip and drain superbly.
http://www.equestrian-essentials.co.uk/flooring.html
other companies do them, too.

Oooh I like those!

 

[Foxhunter49]

Concrete all the way. Tarmac, gravel and cobbles are a devil to keep clean.

Brighten it up with some flower pots at the corners.

 

[MrsMozartletoe]

It depends how much you want to spend, but the rubber pavers look really well, are non slip and drain superbly.
http://www.equestrian-essentials.co.uk/flooring.html
other companies do them, too.

That is nice indeed

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

You don't have to have plain concrete, you can get patterned concrete that has a variety of finishes. I have no ide how much it costs but here is a link to a site:

http://www.creteprint-driveways.co.uk/creteprint-gallery.php

 

[cronkmooar]

It depends how much you want to spend, but the rubber pavers look really well, are non slip and drain superbly.
http://www.equestrian-essentials.co.uk/flooring.html
other companies do them, too.

what sort of base do these go down on?

Can they go straght down on hardcore or road planings or do they have to go down on concrete/tarmac?

 

[martlin]

what sort of base do these go down on?

Can they go straght down on hardcore or road planings or do they have to go down on concrete/tarmac?

they can go straight down on hardcore, just the same as normal block paving.
I don't actually have a yard made in those as they are not cheap and couldn't have justified the expense, but I have my washbay floor made of them and it is great