I
know this is something we should have dealt with in the
summer but we didn't...
Unfortunately our paddock is on a slope and at the
bottom is both the field gate and a field shelter attached
to the stables. It is only September and
already we have a mud bath! I know the solution is
to improve the drainage and put down something like
crushed lime but presumably this has to be done when it
is dry - there is no way you could get heavy machinery
in now.
Has anyone found any short term measure I could use now
to improve the situation (other than keeping the horses
out of the field or fencing off the muddy areas)? I
assume you can't put lime down in the wet nor the
special rubber mats I read somewhere about?
Could you
not put down some of that really well crushed hardcore,
you can also get those black chippings stones which is
also used as hardcore. You could use a wheelbarrow although
it would take quite a while
someone
advised using old carpet - has anyone tried this? It
might be a good option for us as well - short term....
I'd be a bit
wary of carpet on a soft muddy surface. If it gets
worn your neddies may put their hooves through it and
you may have panicking horses when they then try to move
and the carpet moves with them!
Bark
chippings can help, but you have to keep putting them
down as they sink in the mud. Some tree surgeons will
give them away, or only charge delivery. Ideally they
should be hardwood and not Leylanddii (sp).
Have a look
at the Winter Riding Surface thread for a few more
ideas....
A bit of
back breaking work with a spade, to help divert water
run-off will help - or what about some old (cheap)
paving slabs (broken or cracked ok). Then a
relatively small quantity of hardcore over the top
(they'd be a bit slippy otherwise.) Bit of hard
work with a wheelbarrow - but it would get you through
the winter and then next year ...
We've got
large chalk stones, then a layer of crushed tarmac stuff
(bit like gravel but black) and then bark chippings on
top of that. It's lovely!
Mind you, we did put it down while it was dry so i don't
know if you'd be able to do this when it's wet??? Worth
a go though. Chalk helps to soak up the water too i
think.
Thanks for
all your suggestions.
My job this weekend will be to dig a small
trench to divert some of the water (or better still
persuade my partner to do the digging). I can see
that part of the problem is rain coming off the barn and
overshooting the downpipes and forming a waterfall right
in front of the field shelter so your advice should help
until we can alter the guttering. Also I will try
the idea of old slabs perhaps covered with this ash some
of you have mentioned.
