Turnout paddock surfaces

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Equibeau

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With all this rain we have been having, my field is absolutely sodden (as is everyone elses!) so my thoughts have turned to a bit of DIY paddock making. I have an area off my yard that is about 15m x15m which is presently flagged - and this is my question : Dont laugh, bu I am thinking of putting down some old carpet on top of the flags (read thick membrane) with a bit of sand on top. Would woodchip be better, and should I leave the flags down or take them up. I am in a quandry about this and dont know which is the best option. I have just extended my arena so must do this as cheaply as possible. Would welcome any suggestions!
 
i have an extended bit on the end of my stables which i use for when the weather is like this and the horses cant go out.
it is covered in small stones/like mush?? and it works very well; horse bucks and leaps about and the stones dont move and is a level surface!

(stones very small - will not get stuck in foot and cause bruising.
 
I have put some rubber matting down in the gateway and sectioned of a bit of already trashed field! - minis go out on the yard anyway wandering and trimming the grassy bits, big guy gets a bit excited left in the yard so either goes for walkies or out in the field further mudbathing and coming in bay instead of dun..
 
I had this with my land, so i moved over winter to go on d.i.y, and it fab land as on sand with soil, but last year was horrid as my land is on clay, what I done was get loads and loads of wood chippings, from the farmer and it worked a treat, you could try that.. or rubber grass mats, but they would cost a bomb to buy!! look on e-bay!!. plus with wood chippings the council would be o.k with that,
 
Think it depends if your horses will just wander about or make any sudden 'zip-off' moves.

I've got paving slabs down as a base for my stables with rubber mats on top. If any of the ponies zoom to the door, they tend to flick the mats away.

I've slightly solved the problem by laying old towels under the mats which stop them sliding.

I guess the flag stones will be slippery? The carpet may need to be anchored down to stop it travelling. I'd imagine a wood chip / sand mix on top would be a good surface as wood chip on its own can be slippery too.

Would be interested to hear how you get on with whatever you decide as I've got to do something with the bog outside my field shelter. it's too late now I feel as it's ankle deep.
 
Wood chip would get very deep and if your girl is having a 'silly' moment in there I would not recommend it. You would be much better off with sand in my opinion...
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Thank you very much for your replies! Think I will try out the carpet with a few inches of sand on top! Will let you know how it works out.
 
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