school V. track ideas please.

Cahill

Cahill

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I cant afford to build an all weather menage but am toying with the idea of a canter track around the edge of a 9acre field.

bearing in mind that i do school whilst out hacking, it seems a good idea.
the field is quite well drained so what do you think would be the process for building the track and would it be lots cheaper than a school.

thank you
 
Are you thinking of an all weather track? If so, it won't be any cheaper than a school - they are built in pretty much the same way and I would imagine a track round 9 acre field will be as much if not more square metres.
 
martlin said:
Are you thinking of an all weather track? If so, it won't be any cheaper than a school - they are built in pretty much the same way and I would imagine a track round 9 acre field will be as much if not more square metres.
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This.
Also you would still have to get planning and I would think it very unlikely to be granted.
 
be positive said:
I would think it very unlikely to be granted.
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why do you think it unlikely?

i am thinking not so much all weather track,more like removing top soil and then topping up with bark chippings.it`s just an idea because i have machinery on site at present.
 
Planners in some areas are really difficult with the change of use,a field is for grazing not riding,is their view.Some people are not allowed to have a jump in a field,they seem to hate anything to do with horses for some reason.
You may have sympathetic planners/good neighbours and have no problems.Just beware about doing it because if anyone objects it can be even more expensive.
 
Cahill said:
why do you think it unlikely?

i am thinking not so much all weather track,more like removing top soil and then topping up with bark chippings.it`s just an idea because i have machinery on site at present.
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Not a good idea, will become very very slippery with bark.
 
a friend who had her own yard fenced herself a track that ran the perimeter of her land. She didnt put any kinda surface down, left it as grass, but it was great for days when you didnt want to hack/didnt have time to hack/ was starting to get to the funny kinda light before getting dark/ allowed kids a shorter hack

I wish the yard im at now had this facility- would be perfect for my daughter and pony :)
 
You can improve your current field surface if it is free draining, do this by hard grazing with sheep, then over-sowing with grass seed, a fine species, not ryegrass, keep the grass 4 to 6 inches high, roll regularly, do not use if it is too soft [hoof damage] or too hard [leg damage]
A major requirement of any schooling area is free draining and a sound top surface, just throwing woodchip on top of an existing surface is not going to work.
 
good advice here thanks.
it is well drained chalky downland.the 1st year i purchased it there were 12 turned out to winter and it fared very well.

i like the idea of a mowed/rolled/grassy strip around the edge and would not use it if the weather did not permit.
 
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