Mud-free turnout arenas..

[karenjj]

I was just reading an article about providing mud-free turnout arenas in the winter for those with horses kept on small acreage -http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/features/smallacreage.shtml
I was just wondering whether anyone here has such an area, they turnout in? It recommends using 20cm of woodchip but would that be enough? The amount of mud here I think I'd need loads more! Also is it expensive? It would be great if I could maybe lunge on the surface as well but am not sure I could afford to have all the drainage and everything done for such an area. Just wondered if anyone here had this? Thanks

 

[Booboos]

You would be effectively building a little arena, so you'd need proper drainage, hardcore, membrane and surface. Anything else and I am afraid it would start being sucked up by mud unless you are on very very dry soil in which case you don't need it anyway!

 

[Bowen4Horses]

we're doing something similar... we have limited acreage, and live in fenland... so don't want precious paddocks turned into mud. we've sectioned a small turnout area off (i'd guess 30x50metres?).

the land is surrounded by dykes which it drains into already so we are going to try and get away with not putting in the drainage/hardcore etc. we are going to dig out the topsoil, lay a membrane and add 20cm -30cm of silica sand and rubber chips. however, this will have to wait til the summer to get done as this winter's project is to put the hardstanding down...

 

[Mrs_Wishkabibble]

I have that here, when we bought the property it was a livery yard and it was the original manege, we have since put in a new one so we use the old one as winter turnout when the paddocks get too wet or when it snows.
The surface is sort of an ash/sand mix but is well draining.
We tow the field shelters onto it so they have somewhere dry to stand in bad weather but it is so handy as no matter what weather I can guarantee my horses get out.
I throw some hay out for them and they are quite happy.
I let the grass grow on it in the summer so they have something to pick over in the winter.
Well worth doing IMO it has been a godsend over the last few winters.

 

[Gorgeous George]

We have something similar, in the winter we turn out in the yard's old 60 x 20 sand school, although it does get 'muddy' and gloopy it isn't actually mud, just wet sand. So when it drys it just flicks off the horses! 4-5 horses go out in the sand school and there are 2 huge containers of hay to keep them busy and they seem very happy. It drains well and it is extremely rare that the horses don't go out.

 

[Beatrice5]

I have had a Corral built as we have only 2 acres. It cost me £750 to have the top layer of clay scraped off, membrane put down, the scalpings, then more membrane then woodchip. I used local firms and got at least four quotes. I then has a local farmer post and rail it for me for £350 including good quality local timber concreated in too. It is about 17m by 13m with a field shelter already there hence the corral and a water trough already there. It is fab and has meant I could keep mine at home for the winter although have just taken them to livery yard down the road for a different reason - unexpected new arrival on the agenda and needed a stable to keep a closer eye on my mare as our paddock is very long and thin and the corral is approx a third of the way up so not much fun with no elec in the dark. Next year I will get the shelter extended and electricity up there but need to save up first!!