Woodchip school surface.

[vmac66]

I've been looking for another yard for a, while and found one that ticks all the boxes.
Only negative was that the school had a woodchip surface
Would this be a deal breaker for you.

 

[milliepops]

yep
afraid so.
they seem to become very slippery and unusable for anything except quiet pottering fairly quickly.

 

[outdoor girl]

Sorry, but yes. I've used one and not only was it slippery, but as it started to break down it became very, very deep.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would think when it's wet it's really heavy going so no I wouldn't want to ride on it.

 

[cowgirl16]

I've experienced an outdoor and an indoor woodchip surface. Found both to be very slippery. The indoor one was lethal - had a crashing fall. Horsey is barefoot though - so whether that makes a difference I don't know. Wouldn't use one again.

 

[Muddywellies]

Depends on what you do. Groundwork (In walk), I'm sure it would be fine. I used to know someons who used to hack around the arena chatting, next to her friend. Round and round they went, in walk, putting the world to rights. That would also be fine on woodchip. I'm not sure woodchip would be safe for much more than that though.

 

[Cowpony]

I've seen a couple of horses go down on a woodchip surface. We used to have one at our yard and if I had to ride in it I wouldn't do more than walk. As somebody else has said, it got very deep, and you spent a lot of time trying to pick a spot to do an exercise. It was OK for groundwork, so a useful extra arena, but I wouldn't be on a yard where it was the only one.

 

[Melody Grey]

Sorry, it’s a big no from me (see my recent post about being at livery with a wood chip school).

could you ask any of the existing liveries/ ‘try before you buy’ just on the off chance it’s ok?

 

[EventingMum]

When new I don't think it's too bad however it needs a lot of maintenance and as soon as it breaks down it needs replacing or else it becomes dangerous. Inside it tends to last longer as the amount of watering can be controlled. Unless the YO was totally on top of monitoring it I would be very wary. The other problem is if it's made with recycled timber there is often contamination in it - nails, glass etc.

 

[HeyMich]

I was at a yard with a great arena with a chipboard woodchip surface (think chipboard kitchen cupboards) and it was really nice to ride in, but it rotted down within about 5 years. They then replaced it with 'fresh' woodchip (think large chippings after cutting a tree down) and it was horrendous to ride in. My mare (shod in front) slipped all over the place, and our wee pony (barefoot) refused to do anything more than a slow walk as I think it hurt his feet, I ended up booting him! I'm not at that yard anymore so I'm not sure what's happened to the arena surface, and if it's got any better with time and weather.

 

[vmac66]

Thanks for all your replies. I'll keep looking.

 

[saddlesore]

They’re awful. My yard has one and I use the school for about a month over the summer when it’s dry enough. It’s finally getting replaced ??

 

[Kizzy2004]

Yes for me too having been on a yard with a wood chip surface and I moved specifically as I couldn’t school. As others have mentioned they’re slippery and as the wood rots it rides deep and turn to mulch.