Surface and company recommendations for sandschool

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Auburnalia

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Hi all,

sorry, another surface question, I know there’s been many, but I can’t fathom out the right answer!!

I’m going to be putting in a (planning permitting) 25x45 arena at home. It will be used daily by me and my children and through the bad winter months it will, sadly, need to be used as a turnout area (along with a track and area of hard standing/shelter) up to 3 ponies and 2 horses. We are on clay so the ground is wet so we’ll be investing a lot in the drainage and sub-bases. But what surface would people recommend especially given the winter turnout element. We do a bit of everything. Budget is a factor but I’m keen to avoid the false economy options, I’d rather save for longer and get the right surface than do it cheaper and regret it in a year or so. I’ve not heard great things about woodchip for that reason.

If you have company recommendations too that would be helpful, conversely, anyone who I should avoid? We only need to buy the surface, the groundwork’s etc is already sorted. We’re based in the South East. Thank you. ?
 
Thanks so much, I’ve just found your reply and screen shot it too for later reference! Thank you. So you went for a sand only surface, I was looking into a sand rubber (chippings) mix due to the erosion element, so that’s interesting, thank you.

What company did you use? Would you recommend them? ?
 
no, sand and combi-ride which has rubber crumb and fibre. have a read right through! here's an extract of a conversation I had with somebody else:


* Why did you select the combi-ride dual stabiliser over the other combi-ride options (in particular)?
Samples from numerous places – some went straight in bin. Others we tested in the sand we had selected – wet and dry. Ultimately seemed this was the best option that was affordable; and to honest the only one of numerous companies I felt we could probably trust – so far working out very well. As far as I can work out no real benefit to the premixed stuff.


* Where did you source the sand? Direct from the quarry - which one? (Notice that Combi-ride offer to provide quotes themselves)
Yes straight from quarry. No cheaper however. Was dry season so more sand per tonne! Coarser than the redhills combi-ride will probably offer. Which in theory is better. If you buy it from them your risk is reduced as they will be responsible. We only chose not to use this as very fine and we are in a windy position so more prone to loss in the summer. The coarser still blew about however – if it gets bad in summer we will damp it down this year if we have to. Finer will in theory bind better and stay wet longer. Happy ours working well and combi ride tested a sample too and were happy with it too before making final decision.
If you buy direct from quarry or contractor MUST BE SUB-ANGULAR – SEE MY ORIGINAL NOTES. Insist on sample and buy a £20 microscope to plug into laptop. Keep control sample and check first load before tipped. I was at stables with laptop / microscope – don’t worry what people think! IF YOU GET THIS WRONG SURFACE IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY TO WORK PROPERLY.

* Did you make much use of Combi-ride's advice /expertise for the arena construction /surface /maintenance requirements etc.? How did you find them?
I am always cautious but found them excellent – very straightforward and did everything they said. Installation team first class. They did give us some names to contact who have used product but they didn’t reply. Maintenance they recommended the arenamate which we have bought. And an old ride on mower without blades to tow. Spent ages researching and came to conclusion using a cheap leveller / chain harrow / car to tow etc were all bad ideas. Spent too much to not look after properly
 
Oh wow, that’s so helpful, thank you so much. Sorry, I mis-understood the first time I read your post. ??‍♀️ I’ve just been on the combi-ride website so will contact them direct.

May I ask what might be a stupid question though just to check my understanding. The silica sand you refer to, this went down under the duel-stabiliser surface? Or was it mixed in? Our advice has been to put down 4” of silica (in 2” blocks) and compact it using a vibrating roller (and obviously a leveller!) and then add the top 2” layer of fibre mix. Is this what you did? Or was yours 6” sand then the duel-stabiliser?

Thanks again, this is so helpful. ?
 
we went belt and braces and had 6" sand tracked in with digger (16T i think from memory). As long as maintained very little chance of hitting the membrane avoiding expensive repairs. We definitely dont use for turnout - too much money invested! Just the sand from memory was about £7k. Vibrating roller will probably help settle it quicker I assume (?) but you probably still need plenty of rain (and patience!). We then had the combi-ride power harrowed in - they did this, wasn't even going to think of trying! If they supply the sand it will still be separate I believe. Some companies offer pre-mixed saying that mixing in after never works properly - which we concluded rubbish but make up your own mind on that one! But whatever you do make sure the sand is right. We used a quarry in Kent - slightly coarser sand than redhills - which combiride will probably offer. redhills in theory should be better but we felt more prone to wind loss. let me know if you need any more info. happy to help - could have done with same when we were planning!
 
Brilliant, thanks so so much, this is so helpful as it’s all a bit of a minefield! I think Redhill’s sand should be ok for us as the area is well protected on 2 sides, but I’ve asked for a sample to check. And will get some other samples too. We’re a long way off actually getting the stuff laid as haven’t got planning yet, but I want to be able to start as soon as it comes in!

Yes, the turnout thing is going to hurt like hell, I’ve got a track and hard standing area too so will hay there and never in the school, but don’t think it will be enough of a leg stretch area for 5. I’ll have to see. Thankfully my husband does groundwork’s and we have all the machines etc so other than material cost (which I appreciate is a lot!!) we’ll be shaving off quite a lot of the outlay which might make using it for turnout less painful, but I doubt it!! ?

Thanks so much, you really have helped immensely!!
 
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