yay! getting a surface...of sorts

[madhector]

Finally persuaded my lovely father that we need some sort of surface for turnout, lunging and schooling in

The problem is cant afford to spend much on it

Also if we put in a really good surface wouldnt want to turn out in it which is half the reason for having it.

When I was horse hunting I rode on a wood chip surface that was just put down on a membrane, and was not too bad, so was thinking of doing this with ours, our field is quite well drained anyway, and the area would not be used for jumping, mainly schooling and turnout (save the fields in winter as end up feeding hay anyway)

Anyone done this or similar? How deep should the woodchips be?

Any tips appreciated

Thanks

 

[Jemayni]

Woodchip is a good cheap option, however it does rot down & has to be replaced every decade or so, depending on how much use it has!

We have it in the indoor where I keep my hy horse, it's probably half a foot deep!

It is also very good for turnout, anything that is on restricted turn-out lives in there & it stands up to it well!

 

[MillionDollar]

We were talking to someone a few days ago who builds arenas. He said he has found that shredded pallets

are fantastic and a lot better than wood chip, and is cheaper and safer!
He also said to us to stay away from shredded tyres as there might be a ban on it in a few years and you'll have to remve it.

 

[madhector]

thats interesting, will see what I can find out

 

[madhector]

thanks for that

 

[_jetset_]

We have a woodchip surface where I keep my horses... but it is in a proper arena with limestone and membrane.

 

[madhector]

that would be the ideal..but not going to happen unfortuently

oh well, will just have to make do

 

[_jetset_]

So what are you planning on doing? (sorry, being a bit blonde

)

 

[madhector]

just putting a membrane and then woodchips, on a very well drained part of the field, and a fence round it. did the gateway last winter and was great, so as I want it mainly for turnout thought it might be a good option, cant afford a proper arena

 

[lisan]

How much has your membrane cost if you don't mind me asking? And are you doing a 20 by 40 metre area?

 

[*hic*]

Have you spoken to Carl Dawson at Broadland? He was going to do a surface for us similar to what you are proposing as our field is fenland andwell drained. It was a couple of years ago but he was cheapest supplier then and he's in Norfolk so not a million miles away.

Shredded pallets - what about all the nails and staples? That would worry me greatly.

 

[lisan]

Your PM box is full MadHector!!