Muddy tracks and gateways!!

L

lastresort

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This is probably a pointless post and Im guessing everyone has the same problem but.........

Anyone out there got any idea on what I can put on the walk ways and in the gateways to try to help with the mud. Last year it came over the top of my wellies so we couldnt turn out for alot of the winter. Its also very slippy and you get stuck ( I have fallen over countless times)

any one got any ideas? Id prefer ones that dont cost. We cant drive up them either or Id get woodchip put down ( I work for a tree surgeon) although this may be the only answer?

mad.gif
 
Last year everyone dumped their wheelbarrows in the gateways and very muddy places down the lane. It was brilliant and the mud didnt come through for ages. Our soil is like clay so all the water sits on the top and literally sucks your wellies off, it was horrible.

This year a load of shavings (cheap hardwood ones) have been placed along the track and thats worked so far.

I think you can get sheets that you place on top, they have loads of holes in. Don't have a clue what they are called or where to get them though, sorry.
 
If you see any building works local to your stable it may be worth smiling sweetly and asking if they would like to dump a lorry load of their rubble in your gateway (just make sure there is nothing dangerous exposed that could hurt horsey). A nice mix of stone, sand etc makes a perfect filler for a gateway.
 
this year we have invested in some matting from Fieldguard which is specially made for muddy gateways. It seems to be very tough and we hope it will help in the field we rent over the winter. We can remove it at the end of our rental .
 
Would have suggested hardcore but wasn't sure if the OP's fields were her own or horses kept at yard so didn't.
Hardcore is very good for that I have seen broken tiles used in some places though obviously it is better if they are pretty well crushed and rolled into place. Perhaps a layer or two of hardcore with softer wood chippings on top may be better choice if they are easily obtainable. The chippings wouldn't rot as quickly because they were not directly on the soil and it would make it a bit more cushioned to walk on for horses and people alike especially if the hardcore couldn't be rolled that well.
 
Our scalpings are coming off the motorway works this evening - when they repair the roads, the workmen break up the tarmac/stone etc and remove it - the costs now of disposing of this material is high so definately a deal to be done. They will dump in a heap but you have to distribute the stuff to/round the gateways - which is hard work unless you have/can borrow a mini digger!

Ask in your local "workmens" pub and someone will know who mends the roads....it's a ready supply of scalpings - can add in a load of sand on the top if you need to....

My gateways have turned to mush in 2 days, so sympathy from here but hopefully I will be sorted by the end of the week - one thing tho....they tend to mend the roads overnight, so material arrives at midnight!!!!

Good luck!

C.
 
Thanks everyone will go back to YO with suggestions. She said I can do what I want but it always ends up costing so Im going to try and get some chipping from work Its terrible. Got tons of logs!! maybe they will mulch down?

seahorse

Yes shes not too fussed and said do anything!!!!!
 
You say you have logs are you willing to sell them? If so you could advertise in your local paper or ebay perhaps and then use the money to put towards some mats or to buy some bark chippings or similar.
Just a thought?
Caz
 
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