Wood chip surface Temp Surface Yes or No ?

[Charmel]

Been offered 40 ton of free woodchip, smaller flakes (all metal extracted and minimal dust) Would this be enough to cover my temp arena 35m by 35m untill planning permission for my perm arena? The temp arena is fenced and boarded. Hopefully this would be suitable and will with top ups last through the winter?? Anyone got any experience of how this rides. The land is well draining and slightly sloping.

 

[*hic*]

If it's going straight on earth it won't be enough to cover 35 x 35 IMHO and you will need topups straightaway. Although much derided by those who have "proper" surfaces, I managed perfectly well with it on a 17 x 35 arena, even managing to canter 5m circles on a big 16.3 - although she is quite nicely balanced. I also used mine for lunging. You have to be a bit sensible but I found it a very useful thing to have.

 

[Fides]

Could you put it on tracks? So a track around the edge, a figure of 8 and 10m circles, leaving where you are going to ride less, free from chippings.

 

[Charmel]

Thanks Jemima*askin I think the contractor who has made the offer would be happy to bring me double this if asked. My horses currently get ridden in the 35mx35m arena on grass but although it doesnt get boggy in the wet it does get slippery and at the moment with all the dry weather it is like riding on concrete! so the woodchip has to help!

 

[Charmel]

Thanks Jemima*askin I think the contractor who has made the offer would be happy to bring me double this if asked. My horses currently get ridden in the 35mx35m arena on grass but although it doesnt get boggy in the wet it does get slippery and at the moment with all the dry weather it is like riding on concrete! so the woodchip has to help!

Had over 100 tons in the end delivered spread and rolled but this has been down 18 months and even with the very wet weather last winter, it rides better than most of the professional surfaces I have seen. It hasn't needed a top up yet but will top up late summer. It is really good surface with no boggy areas. It doesn't get dusty either. Really pleased with it and recommend it to anyone who has good draining land.