My mare has Cushings and sometimes laminitis. I prefer the smaller tractors since they can maneuver better around posts and corners so there is less hand-finishing work for me to do. I have a horse and donkey. Thanks! 2. A power tiller is the preferred tool. Horses must consume relatively large quantities of the green or dried plants before the toxic threshold is reached. GAH this is the bane of my existence! Crushed stone is also less likely to get kicked out into the yard. Its holding up well though and perhaps they will only need to re-do it every 3-5 years now; since theres such a good base on it now. I started with the crusher fines, but have not been happy with the pee spots, so Ill go back and do the pea gravel, or maybe put some sand down in the pee hole, then the next 2 layers? Especially Arabians, with their fine coats and sensitive skin, theyre not going to do well lying down on any kind of gravel. Ive not heard of that. You have a Horse Herb & Supplement Shoppe?! I think your climate is a lot drier though and you get snow/ice most of the winter, right? In muddy areas, perhaps you would even start with 2-4 quarry spalls (basically what you refer to as a 3 clean rock; clean means doesnt have fines). What?? and I love the photos!!!! I have seen improvement in hoof quality in every foot taken from hogfuel or mud and placed on crusher dust and comparing it to the sand options, it is still a better hoof. Place crushed gravel on top of that, running the . Middle: 3/4 minus gravel Sometimes you have to do some research into what to lay down below it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Which is 1/4 minus crushed gravel with the fines (rock dust). RECYCLED ASPHALT. The horses have lovely pea gravel paddocks with in/out access. Occasionally if on slope older spent chips need shoveling up but they can go on ground, gardens, hardcore roads. 4 inch Dig 2 inches of lime stone compacted. Obviously droppings always need removing. Luckily there is a super easy way to convert square feet to cubic yards: 1. For the bag of 50 pounds, you can pay anywhere from $5 to $10. I forget the size but its small enough to fall through the manure fork. So if you scrape down during a wet season, the rain will just turn the formerly compacted soil into more mud. One of the most common uses of crushed limestone is in laying driveways. Our farrier does not love the pea gravel. Go ahead and compact again. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Nilex is a worldwide company, but if you cant get that material, then just show your supplier the spec sheet and get them to match it. Crushed stone, a mixture of stone dust and stone of various sizes, packs together nicely. . They are never locked up and only have a run in, that is in the paddock. But Im afraid the only thing that is maintenance-free is concrete! Its uses include: On Bike Paths. Ah glad you found it Lawrence! Thank-you! The thing that packs down the hardest especially if you water/soak it and use a 1000 lb compactor is Crusher dust. This hole area is low. I live in England and have winter paddocks. The discussion seems to be wide ranging and I would appreciate your thoughts. They also recommended I use 6 inches of it. I know nothing about it, so Im just asking you questions to stimulate your thoughts/research. I am sure alpaca or lama might work too? One cubic yard contains 1.4 to 1.5 tons of stone. I tried that one year and it was the worst gravel ever because it slides around so much it also mixes with all the manure particles and you cant ever get the manure off the smooth gravel. The larger chunks of rock are also easily caught in the rake, so you end up dumping a lot of the gravel you just paid money for, out with the leaves which does not feel good! It also lasts far longer than mulch. Should I let my horses have one season of muddy feet and wait till summer to do the work? and has a variety of uses including as back fill and ground cover in landscaping. If we have low-sugar hay in slowfeeders/haynets available 24/7 then our horses do not have to eat toxic plants to assauge the acid in their gut. Bulk crushed stone and gravel prices are $10 to $50 per ton on average. If it has to cope with as much water as your paddock, then go ahead and do it the same as they likely wont be trying to lie down on it anyway. Its usually worth quite a bit of money. As long as you keep their hay off the sand (hay nets with a large bucket or built in container to catch escaped hay underneath?) There are a couple of ways to create a pea gravel patio: using the bare ground as a base or over a base layer of crushed stone. I know several stables that just dump fresh crusher dust on their paddocks every year to replenish the surface because they didnt follow the steps I outlined above, they just dump the crusher right on the earth. And yes, that 3 rock is endlessly coming up through the 3/4 minus, and the crusher dust I layered on top! I write for a quarry and sand-and-gravel operation. In the middle of the worst rains of winter, the 3/4 inch gravel has the best drainage and keeps the surface drier, even during a full day of rain: On the same day, heres what patches of the 1/4 inch crusher dust look like you can see how the mud and soil underneath has been churned into the crusher dust. But if you live somewhere rainy like the Pacific Northwest or UK, then this industrial-grade barrier material is crucial. Add about 4 inches per level and compact each layer. Here are a few reasons why crushed limestone can be a good choice. They dont lie down in there and only really use it for a shelter. In that case, I think it would depend on how your drainage is set up from your stalls A barn with good drainage probably requires a different material under the mats, than a stall with poor/no drainage. Regardless of the problem, drying and repairing the muddy yard is necessary. approximate weight per bag. https://www.listentoyourhorse.com/equine-permaculture-in-rainy-climates-system-for-sustainable-pastures/, great info, i really appreciate you sharing with others as it takes time to post such info with pictures, too. But she said she wouldnt use the crusher dust again, since it packs down like cement. You now need to compact your paddock surface use a tamping/compacting machine and water the gravel between tamping to make sure it compacts down well. Well, I laid the paddock footing in August. Hey Paul, if your fine gravel locks together (i.e. The cost of crushed limestone can vary depending on the quality. Thanks for the response. Thanks so much for your help! Post some before/after pics for us if you can You can upload them right here. What does minus mean, when referring to gravel? Natural Decomposed Granite This is a great alternative to mulch that can be placed around plants, shrubs, and trees. Ive never seen 3-inch woodchips for sale anywhere in the Vancouver area. A muddy backyard in a small property can be solved with ease by covering the mud with concrete. I also have access to granite based stone dust and of course limestone and just about any other rock, sand or clay material. However, on the flip side of that argument, here's what a Farrier has to say about why she prefers crusher dust: "As a farrier, my favourite footing in this area is crusher dust. Im in Virginia, USA and have been researching what to do for the muddy parts of our barn and our sacrifice lot. The biggest issue is the immense amount of dust generated in the stalls. Another thought: Do you offer your horses free choice minerals? However horses oversized the manure on the 5/8 gravel and real difficult to get it all off the gravel which should e an issue. Id like something that would be most comfortable as they sometimes stay in there for a longer period of time, like heavy rain or cold windy days. Unless you are willing to have the top layer scraped off (and evened out again), and new crusher dust (1/4 minus) laid down every year ($$) its just never going to work well in a rainy climate. It will all look normal. What is Gravel? Ideally, gravel should be 3/8" but 3/4" would also work. So you could probably get away with less for each layer and maybe dont even need the 3 rock. Heres what 3/4 inch minus looks like and it costs me $700 including delivery: The truck arrived and dumped both loads of gravel near the shelters. Contact Us, How to Fix a Muddy Yard (Prevent Water Build-Up Tips). This may seem like a small point, but trust me, it makes a huge difference to the time spent scooping manure AND the loss of expensive gravel that gets tossed out with the manure. But outdoors slightly more tricky over time as wet climate works on absorbancy of chip too besides the urine. I will probably go with the princess option , again thanks a million. MSU, Inc. 1,100 lb. Crusher dust is gravel that has been crushed to the size of 1/4 or less. Also goes a long way to keep down the fly/flea population. Introduction Video: Customer Reviews: Product Videos: Categories. Ground always shifts. Thank you for your response. Hi Natasha, I think that will get you through at least 1-2 winters (in the worst rainy climate). It doesnt matter how much they churn it up now, by end of June you wont notice a thing is amiss! Because the 4 of gravel that was on top, has either been moved around by punchy horse hooves, or been thrown out along with manure that breaks down into tiny particle sizes. They have a program that subsidizes horse owners to improve drainage. That said, you pretty much have to see the different types and as was mentioned by someone else, you have to know how the surface below it will effect it. Great article. Among the other options are crushed stone #411, quarry process, pea gravel, jersey shore gravel, marble chips, and river rock. The water will travel through the rocks or gravel before entering the pipes. Because ALL ground sinks and displaces unevenly as weather and moisture changes. Ive always used crusher runits pretty, soft (good for the horses to lie on and me to fall on), keeps their hooves impressively manicured, and easy to clean (kinda like scooping a giant litter box). So, how do you fix and dry up a wet yard? Typically, you'll use a plastic perforated barrel filled with stone, buried at least 10 feet from your house's foundation. Your plants also draw nutrients from their surroundings, especially the soil, that help them to flourish. Were doing the paddocks now using your advice. The most common approach to firming up a muddy road is to add gravel. Mud creates mud. The toxic effects of Russian knapweed and yellow star-thistle are cumulative, meaning that poisoning normally results when levels of the toxin build up in the body over time due to horses routinely grazing these plants. Thanks so much for your article. Before we get into the materials we use for a hot tub base we need to first. 1,000 - 1,200 lb. Thank you for the clear answer , and it is my pleasure to present you an invitation to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to see the Arabian horses in their first homeland. Crushed Stone #411. If you can afford concrete I would 100% go with that!! Mix the Soil-Cement. So the only surface Ive seen work is concrete. For home use, it is typically bought in pellets or powder. Can be used for landscaping, back fill and mixing concrete. 3. You can also subscribe without commenting. This concentrates it where the horses will actually be standing/walking. Have to be careful, Ive seen a smaller piece (at another barn) of chip get wedged up hard in between the bar and frog. Like you mentioned, it has blunted edges and wont compact as well as a 1/4 minus quarried rock. I would suggest a coarse, crushed quarry rock or crushed drain rock for a base rather than drain rock or pea gravel, especially for an area getting a lot of traffic. 6. Modern Gravel Above: In a Brooklyn backyard, garden designer Brook Klausing edged limestone pavers with crushed limestone dust mixed with gravel. If you ever test your soil and find it to be too acidic -- or below a pH of 7.0 -- a gardening expert would recommend adding lime to the . Even I get confused. One yard of #57 limestone gravel weighs approximately 1.4tons. Thanks Margaret glad it was useful/helpful! So interesting! You can also examine the crusher dust and see which suppliers contains the least amount of dust. 2 inches equals .167 feet Perhaps just 3/4 minus gravel laid 4 inches deep and 2 inches of crusher dust (1/4 minus) on top would be sufficient?? Remember, I was only looking for this paddock to last a year or two. It isnt something the horses prefer to roll in but give them options on a rainy day and they will stand on it over most other footings. So you watch where water flows when its raining, and then scrape and lay your gravel during summer when its dry. But let us know what you find out! It is fantastic that you took the time and effort to go into such detail. If your area has hard clay soil, it may support the pea gravel on its own. The most popular material for dog potty areas is, without a doubt, pea gravel. It packs decently but also isnt as sharp edged so it gets used in beach areas where there will be plenty of bare feet. THANK YOU!!! But again, after researching, I think thats an issue of the existing surface, how much is used, and what the resulting footing is like. 6 inches equals .50 feet. And it will drain even less well if its quarried rock rather than crushed drain rock. What is your thoughts of the grids and french drains? For sure, a base layer of well-compacted, large, well-draining rock would have helped prevent the 1/4 minus from being taken over by the mud so quickly. Thx, Kimberly, Hi Kimberly see points #4,5,6 in the first section: Create a Dry Paddock in even the Rainiest Climate. See the video at the end of this post here from a woman who also has 2 acres: https://www.listentoyourhorse.com/how-to-make-a-great-waterhole-for-your-paddock-paradise-or-pasture/, Or, this permaculture system: You then start to add layers of more crushed stone or rock, but the size of the stones gets progressively smaller as you get closer to the surface. $ 30 - Crushed Concrete Base (Base layer of new driveways, binds w dirt) $ 32 - Crushed Concrete 610 (Mix of 1 rock down [] Same issue of course. ), Mischief, Feed Dishes & Increasing Awareness, Absolutely Easiest Way to use Horse Manure to Create a Worm Farm, Guided Meditation to Connect with your Horse, Dog, Cat or Pet, Paddock & Pasture Permaculture Setup for Rainy Climate, Livestream: Despair, Shielding & Using Imagination to Create Reality, The Dead-Easy Simplest Way to Compost Horse Manure, Horse Herd Communication Energy & Body Language, The Treacherous Creek, Tree Ecosystems, Horse Wrestling & Smooches. Part 2. That cost me $840 including delivery. I am considering granite stone dust or 89 Bahama at the moment which is a crushed coral product from its namesake. Im going to pick his oh-so-experienced brain and see if he knows anything we dont already know or has some tips or tweaks that make a world of difference. Excellent article, and appreciate the before and after pics. The same problem occurs when you shovel manure. The size ranges from 1 to 3 and ultimately best from a company that screens it for horse gallops (Dormit woodfibre in UK supplies a lot for arenas and gallops). You can then layer it with geocell to prevent pooling and unstable ground. Dont be tempted then to just throw more gravel down, thinking its got a good base now. Ill report back! Might be a case of dont ask apologize later if you have to Some of those bylaws are aimed at developers though and they may not bother with small usage it varies though, some are more rabid dog about it. How to Manifest the Land of Your Dreams Part 2, Neem Leaf for Horses Anti-Parasitic, Natural Wormer, Summer Frolic with The Singing Horse Herd, Exploring with a Wild Mustang No Training No Touching, How to Manifest the Land of Your Dreams Part 1, Wild Oregano Heals Horses Intense Bug Allergy & Itching, Horse Wisdom: Transmuting Patriarchy or Dominance, Meditation Journey with The Herd for Anxiety, Loneliness or Fear, Horse Wisdom: Integrating Spiritual Shifts in the Physical Body, Aligning with Dog Wisdom No More Food Anxiety, Understanding & Listening to Dogs My Approach. What Is Rip Rap Gravel? Of course here in our dry part of California I dont really need it but thought it might really help some of you in the wetter climates? Rip rap is large nearly boulder-size crushed stone. More Miracles in the Singing Horse Matrix, Christmas & New Year 2021 Message from Singing Horse Herd, LTYH Podcast: Non-Verbal Observation & Acknowledgment, Connect Deeper with the Singing Horse Herd, Horse Wisdom: Who Are You, REALLY? If theyre coming end of April, youre well over the worst of it. (normally everything here gets wet from rain, but dries the next day to hard surface). The gravel and/or crusher dust only lasts one season and so you have to pay out the same amount every year. Im definitely going to send your article to my boss and see what she thinks. I know another one of our readers in Washington had the county pay for her gravel! My questions are as follows: if I use your advice of geotextile fabric with layers of gravel am I going to get washing of the fine gravel on the slopes with heavy rain? I have friends who have used almost the same formula but without the compacting and have to pick the rocks regularly (at least weekly, if not more often). I received your email, but no need to send the link now I see. 74.9 million tons used for cement manufacturing and the share of limestone are significant in it. wearing surface. It permanently stains anything it comes in contact with (shoes, clothing, white horse feathers). Also, if you want your paddock to give your horses the opportunity to self-trim their hooves then definitely dont put crusher dust as your last layer on top. If it doesnt work well, then next year, pour concrete and your gravel base is already done. Please feel free to share your experience and experiments in the Comments section below. Crushed Concrete Rock. Hi Jini, its been almost a year since I did my paddock, I used your recommended amounts/measurements, minus the Nilex barrier cloth, and its been great. If you can maximize drainage OUT of your gravel areas (using sloped land, French Drains, etc), then it might last a lot longer. I also found it really helpful to install a French Drain in my current paddock to help funnel the water off/away from the paddock and this made a huge difference in the effectiveness of my paddock surface. The frequency of adding more gravel depends on the activity level of your horses. Im concerned that if I use crusher dust or a smaller gravel, it will be easily churned into mud before the winters over. I was interested to see if it would work, as a woman had written in (who also lives in this Pacific Northwest climate) to tell me that its never worked for her horses. In the summer. Avoid high-clay soils as subsoils. You might also want to look into the Paddock Paradise, or, Walking Track system. They said it packs down better than pea gravel in the rain, there are less of the tiny stones to get stuck in the horses hooves, and its easy to shovel manure off of. material calculator delivery rates #10 Limestone Screenings This is our finely screened crushed grey limestone. This is the best article I have read on this subject! The best type of gravel for the top layer of a gravel driveway includes crushed shale, limestone, granite and concrete. The process involves breaking of collected rocks down to the specific sizes with the help of different rock crushers/machines. Oh, and even though I added a new portable shelter for them, so they could stand outside to eat, this rain cover did not prevent the gravel from sinking into the ground around the slow feeders by April; just from the wear and tear of their hooves without any rainfall on it.