Weeds/Maneges

[H's mum]

Just wondered how many of you have problems with weeds growing in your manege and any tips to prevent this happening?
Thanks
Kate x

 

[Skippydo]

Yep, we have problems, there's no way really to prevent them, all the seeds etc blow in on the wind.
I spray mine every couple of months or so.
It's sooooooooooooooooo boring

 

[Sprout]

Yes, its a real pain, as are the rabbits that take great delight in digging!!!!

I just hand weed every few weeks to keep on top of it.

 

[H's mum]

I'm lol'ing at your smilie!

Does your manege have a membrane? Also what surface do you have?
Kate x

 

[H's mum]

Oh no - it's like watership down round here!

I've never heard of rabbits digging!
Kate x

 

[Equibeau]

How funny you should post this now~! I have just come in from 4hours of weeding the edges of my arena (why did I extend it to 60m!). I have a mix of sand, rubber, fibre and it is all mixed in and rolled, so firm but springy. I hate pulling the weeds as it breaks up the surface, I have to pull them very carefully and then spray everywhere! Well, you did ask!!
*goes off with creaking back to run a hot bath*

 

[Delta99]

Was thinking about posting this myself!

Does spraying work? I'm a bit worried about it ruining the membrane?
As far rabbits digging, had that last year. This year I have foxes trying to bury bits of rabbit - the smell is unbelievable!!

 

[H's mum]

Enjoy your bath!

Kate x

 

[H's mum]

LOL! Your arena sounds like the circle of life... first came the rabbits...which are eaten by foxes... so you just need something to eradicate the foxes!

Kate x

 

[Skippydo]

Yep it has membrane, it's a sand and rubber surface.
Weeds just love the sand for seeding and growing in.

 

[Sprout]

Delta99 - I have the fox problem too, the rabbits dig down to the membrane, the foxes catch a rabbit and bury a leg here, a head there, and then next door's cats come in and use the school as a giant litter tray - falling off in there is NOT advisable!

 

[ttt]

H's mum, perfect timing.
Skippydo, what do you spray with? I can't seem to keep on top of mine.
Sprout, my hubby is thinking about chicken wire round ours to stop the rabbits getting in and digging, don't know if thats an option for you?

 

[Equibeau]

I am thinking of putting some sort of marine-ply boarding around mine, to stop the foxes burying (in my case) chicken body parts, and also to stop the wind blowing the seeds into the arena. Has anyone else tried this? Would it work?

 

[Skippydo]

ttt we use Round-up, i walk and spray the whole school each time i do it (not just the weeds you can see) so i get even the tiny little blighters that come up and hit you in the face within a week !!