TURNOUT AREA SURFACE?

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Tammytoo

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Six years ago we had a turnout area made, properly constructed and used 8" of equestrian grade woodchip (depth recommended by the suppliers) for the surface. I was told it would need topping up every 5 years - but they lied! After 2 years it needed topping up, and again and again! Last year I couldn't afford it and it's now only about 4" deep and is like peat. At the moment it's not a problem but I suspect that by this winter I will have a problem.

Can anyone recommend a surface I could put on top that won't disintigrate. I was thinking of sand, but is there a type that doesn't blow about? (know you can't use sharp sand). I also wondered about rubber chip, but can't find a supplier in my area (York) as the costs of transporting any distance can be more than the rubber.

Any suggestions?
 
I wouldn't put it on top of wood mulch but what about road planings? (which when roled flat make a good base for a school) in years to come, you should be able to put sand on top if you wish, meaning that you can work the horses on it...

when you say 'turnout area' is this literally all it is used for?
 
Thanks CBFan, we do already have a road planings surface, topped by a membrane and then the woodchip.

It is used solely for turnout, no riding.
 
hmmm... I would perhaps look at taking the woodchip off then and getting sand... that or see if you can get a second hand arena surface from somewhere - some larger equestrian establishments re-surface theirs quite frequently....and some proffessional Arena installation companies might be only too glad of somewhere to dispose of their unwanted surfaces i'd imagine ;)
 
I have cushionride - mine has been down 3 years and is still lovely and bouncy but I could do with a bit more at one end where it wasnt spread evenly - I think the key is that I have tons of stone under the membrane and then loads of drainage leading to ditch - with any woodfibre you need to stop the water settling on it so it doesnt rot.

If you are able I would dig up the peat like stuff and contact people like towens to see if they have any sea sand, it will be much much much cheaper than equestrian sand - it was my other option if I couldnt have cushionride - it would have worked out sooo cheap but I couldnt get any at the time in my area !
 
We have a turnout area that is purely road chippings - no membrane or surface and its worked really well. We put it down last winter, and fed hay on it, which has now started to grow into grass in some bits.
 
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