Sand turnout areas/rolling areas - how many tons?

[SusieT]

Would be grateful to hear how many tons people have used for sand turnout areas on top of their hardcore? I just want enough that they can lie/ roll on it without hitting the hardcore and it will just be a small area- 3x 3 m square approx but delivery is the same regardless of how many tons so no point paying delivery twice. So any reports on how many tons you used and how big an area that covered? Thanks in advance!

 

[JanetGeorge]

Not much idea on tonnage Susie - but the people who supply can give you and answer if you say you want to put a 6" depth surface on 9-10 square metres.

 

[SusieT]

Thanks - they're not sure which is helpful but that has given me the idea to ring round a few companies and see if any can help - thanks

 

[Pen]

I have a sand area of roughly that size with compacted stone underneath and it has about 14 tons of sand on top. We had 16 tons delivered and have some spare for top ups when needed. Horses love it especially the 33 year old.

 

[SusieT]

thanks!

 

[lamlyn2012]

I'm thinking of doing something like this but worried about sand colic as may feed hay on it. Just wondering what people think and if anyone has ideas for alternative to sand.

 

[JanetGeorge]

Woodchip?? It won't last as long as sand - and will require top-ups - say every two years but you'd probably get move coverage for less tonnes!

 

[elliefiz]

I'm thinking of doing something like this but worried about sand colic as may feed hay on it. Just wondering what people think and if anyone has ideas for alternative to sand.

Woodchip for sure. Lost one of my beautiful broodmares 2 weeks ago to sand colic, absolutely devastating. Stud she is at has a sand turn out which horses go on every 3 days for a few hours to give the paddocks a rest. Post mortum showed a massive sand blockage. Will never allow a horse to be turned out on one again even for the shortest period of time.

 

[WelshD]

For 3m x 3m and about six inches deep you'll need somewhere between 2-3 tonnes. 10 inches deep about 4 -5 tonnes - that's normal bog standard sharp sand, if using silica sand you'll probably need a bit more.

Don't use building (soft) sand unless you want a dyed horse!

If you don't need loads it's worth looking at local companies, I work for such a company and as you say you will be paying for haulage regardless for large amounts so if an 8 wheeler truck can carry 20t and you only need 5t you'll be paying a lot more per tonne and need to be sure you have access for the vehicle

A local company may only be able to deliver 2t at a time but you have the luxury of being able to stop deliveries when you have enough (or even get deliveries in different months to spread the cost) plus it's easier to get a small vehicle to tip more precisely making it easier to spread the sand out

If you can find somewhere that delivers loose and tipped it will be cheaper than buying bagged sand from the big boys and you'll have more flexibility on delivery days - find out who local builders use!

 

[SusieT]

Thanks! I finally found a conversion calculator on google that suggested about 2 tonnes as suggested so might order that and review when it comes !

 

[lamlyn2012]

Woodchip?? It won't last as long as sand - and will require top-ups - say every two years but you'd probably get move coverage for less tonnes!

Thank you. Mind made up now. Woodchip it is.

 

[lamlyn2012]

Woodchip for sure. Lost one of my beautiful broodmares 2 weeks ago to sand colic, absolutely devastating. Stud she is at has a sand turn out which horses go on every 3 days for a few hours to give the paddocks a rest. Post mortum showed a massive sand blockage. Will never allow a horse to be turned out on one again even for the shortest period of time.

Thank you for this. It will definitly be woodchip now. How awful for you, I'm so sorry.x

 

[WelshD]

Do go and see what you are buying, not all woodchips are the same!

At one end of the spectrum you have bark mulch and at the other end you get quality certified play nuggets with a huge variety of things in between , some actual woodchip but many are actually bark sold as 'woodchip'

Go and take a look if only to be sure you aren't getting half a bag of dust!