Shelter base materials - what's best?

[hussar]

I'm thinking of putting a field shelter up for next winter but as it's rented land I'm reluctant to go to the expense of a concrete base (and also that would probably mean having to get planning permission). Does anyone know what type of hardcore would be suitable for horses to stand on - I'd put rubber mats down inside the shelter but hope to have a hard-standing area outside as well and it's this I was wondering about.

Thanks for reading.

 

[charlie900]

Dont know if this is the best but was certainly the cheapest option, dig the mud out and lay well broken up hard core then cover with road planings. I did this in my shelter and a hard standing area outside it only cost £140 for 15 tonnes of planings the hard core was free as was labour OH has to earn his keep somehow!Probably should have got planning consent but what they dont know wont hurt and the hard standing out side got a cover of poo over the winter and grew grass in the summer so was invisible

 

[AlexThe Arab]

Have a chalk floor in mine, works very well and packs down like concrete. Fairly cheap, but then again there is a chalk quarry locally

 

[tillypony]

Chalk would be great as the water would run through really well. You could use hardcore and some wood chip on the top I have seen some grass mats around that are like a grid and you put some stones in them. They may be a better option?

 

[kerilli]

i have just put rubber mats on top of the grass. as long as it faces the right way (prevailing wind and rain can't come in the door) it will stay dry inside and not get muddy, and the mats will keep the horses from churning it up.
e.g. one of my fields looks like a ploughed field at the moment, deep wet mud all the way to the door of the shelter, but the shelter is totally dry inside. i skip out dung 2 x daily, and sweep out the wet if they have a wee on top of the mats.
hope this helps!

 

[hussar]

Thanks for the suggestions! I like the chalk idea but suspect Scotland isn't too rich in chalk quarries. Think I'll explore the mats option further - and maybe woodchip as we have access to a supply.