Turnout/somewhere to ride...

[5horses2dogsandacat]

Ive been talking to my dad...

I have one field, its not massive, but its like my winter field and the ponies get a few hours turnout on it each day when its really wet and nasty and then spend the rest of the day in the yard eating hay.

Now after a year or so of this abuse the grass is, shall we say, not good... Weeds seem to flourish in the summer which I routinely clear of poisonous plants.... mmm deadly nightshade.. so we have come to the conclusion that really we ought to turn it into somewhere for me to ride and a dry surface to turn the horses out on.

He seems to want to use proper arena surfaces, but I really cant bring myself to let the horses charge all over expensive arena topping mixing it up with poop and all sorts... Id much rather half the field, have a smallish turn out bit with cheap builders sand/woodchip whatever I can get and have the other part as a reasonable arena.

Anyhows... rambling away... with builders sand what is the best type to use, there's the finer building stuff or sharp sand... which one is best??

 

[Queenbee]

Ive been talking to my dad...

I have one field, its not massive, but its like my winter field and the ponies get a few hours turnout on it each day when its really wet and nasty and then spend the rest of the day in the yard eating hay.

Now after a year or so of this abuse the grass is, shall we say, not good... Weeds seem to flourish in the summer which I routinely clear of poisonous plants.... mmm deadly nightshade.. so we have come to the conclusion that really we ought to turn it into somewhere for me to ride and a dry surface to turn the horses out on.

He seems to want to use proper arena surfaces, but I really cant bring myself to let the horses charge all over expensive arena topping mixing it up with poop and all sorts... Id much rather half the field, have a smallish turn out bit with cheap builders sand/woodchip whatever I can get and have the other part as a reasonable arena.

Anyhows... rambling away... with builders sand what is the best type to use, there's the finer building stuff or sharp sand... which one is best??

couldn't tell you re: the sand, but why not do a paddock paradise 'track system' turn out around the perimeter and then pop the school in the middle?

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Ummmm, the first thought that occurs to me is that if you are thinking of putting down a hard surface for an arena/school or whatever, then you may need planning permission? I'm not clear from your post what you're asking exactly though.

But you might (or your dad might) run into problems if you just put down a surface - either an arena or a riding track; without asking the local authority and getting the appropriate permission.

Also, I don't know whose field it is, but you will also need to consult the landowner.

We had a similar problem with our fields here; and asked a professional to come and assess the situation. Eventually we had it drained; and its the best thing we ever did; so well worth doing - but you do need to consult a professional and/or get permission re. discharges etc. If you don't it can be horrendous!

 

[WelshD]

sharp sand will drain better, I wouldnt use the fine stuff personally as that will hold water.

I know that a school needs a proper base but you'll need to think about how to do the horse turnout bit quite carefully too I think tipping a layer on top of the grass could mean that your 'horse' surface could disappear in to the ground as water will still come up from underneath

Are you planning to cover the whole field? consider the size of it as there is a danger that you could devalue it dramatically, if its larger than half an acre maybe fence off two parts to use as a school and as a dry turnout then try to improve the grass on the other part

 

[5horses2dogsandacat]

Ah yeh sorry missed a few pointers..... Its my dad's land.. he's a farmer, lots of land going spare... so using a 1/4 -1/2 of an acre paddock wont be an issue. Drainage would go into either the ditch just adjacent to the paddock or in the pond right next to it. Hardcore would definitely be put down. Planning is already covered.. my Dad's hot on those types of topics.

I think it was just really to put what we had been discussing out there to see what other horsey people think and also the question at the end about the sharp sand.

xx