Hello -

I've got a problem with the soil outside a stable getting eroded by the
horses.
Originally the concrete ramp in the pictures below was level with the field,
but 15 years of horses walking through mud has create a large muddy hole
(about 3 metres square). It's difficult for the horses to get in and out of
the stable. So far, we have the following ideas:

1) Fill the hole in with compacted soil. Presumably this would have to be
repeated every few years.
2) Extend the concrete ramp with more concrete. This might be hard work if
DIYed, and expensive if done professionally. Any ideas on how the ramp
should be constructed?
3) Filling the hole with gravel or similar is not acceptable, because it
would injure the horses' feet.
4) Constructing a ramp from wooden sleepers might work, but slipperiness
would be a problem.

Any comments on these ideas, or better ones?

http://i39.tinypic.com/15cyj6d.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/2nrq4xh.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/34jf6df.jpg

Thanks

On 2 May, 09:32, "Muddy Horse" wrote:
Hello -

I've got a problem with the soil outside a stable getting eroded by the
horses.
Originally the concrete ramp in the pictures below was level with the field,
but 15 years of horses walking through mud has create a large muddy hole
(about 3 metres square). It's difficult for the horses to get in and out of
the stable. So far, we have the following ideas:

1) Fill the hole in with compacted soil. Presumably this would have to be
repeated every few years.
2) Extend the concrete ramp with more concrete. This might be hard work if
DIYed, and expensive if done professionally. Any ideas on how the ramp
should be constructed?
3) Filling the hole with gravel or similar is not acceptable, because it
would injure the horses' feet.
4) Constructing a ramp from wooden sleepers might work, but slipperiness
would be a problem.

Any comments on these ideas, or better ones?

http://i39.tinypic.com/15cyj6d.jpght...om/34jf6df.jpg

Thanks

I should think that your problems are not helped by water from rain,
washing down etc running down the slope to add to the muddy patch.
I would get a load of Scalpings or such like and building the surface
up with that then possibly using a Ground Stabilisation fabric
see http://www.lbsbuyersguide.co.uk/nett...forcement.html

David Hill

Muddy Horse wrote:
Hello -

I've got a problem with the soil outside a stable getting eroded by the
horses.
Originally the concrete ramp in the pictures below was level with the field,
but 15 years of horses walking through mud has create a large muddy hole
(about 3 metres square). It's difficult for the horses to get in and out of
the stable. So far, we have the following ideas:

1) Fill the hole in with compacted soil. Presumably this would have to be
repeated every few years.
2) Extend the concrete ramp with more concrete. This might be hard work if
DIYed, and expensive if done professionally. Any ideas on how the ramp
should be constructed?
3) Filling the hole with gravel or similar is not acceptable, because it
would injure the horses' feet.
4) Constructing a ramp from wooden sleepers might work, but slipperiness
would be a problem.

Any comments on these ideas, or better ones?


This is exactly where MOT type 1 limestone will work.

Fill the hole with that, and smash it down as best you can. Then put
soil over the top.

If the horses dont mash it too much, grass will grow, Think ;'chalk downs'

If the horses do mash it down., it will end us as an eroded pathway -
think 'bridleway on chalk downs'.

MOT type 1 is marvellous stuff. It is free draining, , it compresses to
a permanent layer, and with soil on top, grass likes to grow on it.

every time I have a hollow place which is muddy and boggy, a layer of it
works wonders.

Even down to where the lorries use my front drive and adjacent verge as
a passing place: the wheel tracks got filled with it, and now grass
grows and the wheels don't sink in.

The stables round here us it a lot too, fir similar reasons to yours.


http://i39.tinypic.com/15cyj6d.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/2nrq4xh.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/34jf6df.jpg

Thanks

In message , Muddy Horse
writes
Hello -

I've got a problem with the soil outside a stable getting eroded by the
horses.
Originally the concrete ramp in the pictures below was level with the field,
but 15 years of horses walking through mud has create a large muddy hole
(about 3 metres square). It's difficult for the horses to get in and out of
the stable. So far, we have the following ideas:

1) Fill the hole in with compacted soil. Presumably this would have to be
repeated every few years.
2) Extend the concrete ramp with more concrete. This might be hard work if
DIYed, and expensive if done professionally. Any ideas on how the ramp
should be constructed?
3) Filling the hole with gravel or similar is not acceptable, because it
would injure the horses' feet.
4) Constructing a ramp from wooden sleepers might work, but slipperiness
would be a problem.

Any comments on these ideas, or better ones?

Presumably, the horses mill about waiting for you to open the gate?

I don't think suggestion 3 is that big an issue, although the field
owner may have views:-) Properly, I suppose you should take off the
topsoil (mud) put down Terram membrane and put in 6" or so of scalpings
or similar. In wet weather, mud will still be carried onto the new
surface but water should drain easily.

regards

--
Tim Lamb

"Muddy Horse" wrote in message
...
Hello -

I've got a problem with the soil outside a stable getting eroded by the
horses.
Originally the concrete ramp in the pictures below was level with the
field,
but 15 years of horses walking through mud has create a large muddy hole
(about 3 metres square). It's difficult for the horses to get in and out
of
the stable. So far, we have the following ideas:

1) Fill the hole in with compacted soil. Presumably this would have to be
repeated every few years.
2) Extend the concrete ramp with more concrete. This might be hard work if
DIYed, and expensive if done professionally. Any ideas on how the ramp
should be constructed?
3) Filling the hole with gravel or similar is not acceptable, because it
would injure the horses' feet.
4) Constructing a ramp from wooden sleepers might work, but slipperiness
would be a problem.

Any comments on these ideas, or better ones?

http://i39.tinypic.com/15cyj6d.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/2nrq4xh.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/34jf6df.jpg


http://www.grassform.co.uk/geogrid.htm

On Sun, 2 May 2010 09:32:46 +0100, Muddy Horse wrote:

1) Fill the hole in with compacted soil. Presumably this would have to
be repeated every few years.

No different to what you have the horses will carve it up the first
time the go in/out...

2) Extend the concrete ramp with more concrete. This might be hard work
if DIYed, and expensive if done professionally. Any ideas on how the
ramp should be constructed?

That would work but unless you extend the end and cover it with soil
you'll just move the step to the end of the new concrete. Even
covered with soil it might not last that long.

3) Filling the hole with gravel or similar is not acceptable, because it
would injure the horses' feet.

See the other suggestion of compacted MOT1 covered in soil. Dig out
to firmish subsoil, (ie get rid of the mud/stuff that has been cut
up) backfill with MOT1 and hire a whacker plate to compact it. The
ground forces from horses hooves are high, the MOT1 will need to be
very well compacted. Cover with the spoil you dug out and whack that
as well.

4) Constructing a ramp from wooden sleepers might work, but slipperiness
would be a problem.

Yeah, even if you routed large grooves in the wood the edges wouldn't
last long.

--
Cheers
Dave.

Tim Lamb wrote:

I suppose you should take off the
topsoil (mud) put down Terram membrane and put in 6" or so of scalpings
or similar. In wet weather, mud will still be carried onto the new
surface but water should drain easily.

I agree with Tim.


We've done this on a sandy bridleway, limestone was not an option because of
leaching into an sssi, so we excavated to ~400mm, laid terram with the
wings laid out to the side, filled with 200mm andesite(sp??) granite
scalpings, folded the terram back to cover the scalpings and form a pillow
with overlap and re laid the topsoil. We only formed a 1.5m strip because
the terram is 4.5m wide and to allow overlap but the same could be done
with one overlapped joint under and one on top. The track then looks fairly
natural, is slightly raised to allow run off and has stood up quite well.
If the soil has little bearing capacity because it is clay or silty I
wouldn't worry about reinforcing it with some more soft scalping or even
pebbles as long as they embed in the soil. It's small sharp chips that you
need a boy scout to remove isn't it?

This will all depend on where the area drains to so consider putting a
wavinflow perforated pipe under the joint with the concrete to take the
water.

AJH

andrew wrote:
Tim Lamb wrote:

I suppose you should take off the
topsoil (mud) put down Terram membrane and put in 6" or so of scalpings
or similar. In wet weather, mud will still be carried onto the new
surface but water should drain easily.

I agree with Tim.


We've done this on a sandy bridleway, limestone was not an option because of
leaching into an sssi,

But if that's not the case, its a far far easier option than what you
now describe..Not sure how limestone 'leaches' either..but..you don't
even need to excavate the mud with limestone. Just keep adding it till
the hole is filled and the limestone will end up at the bottom, and the
mud on top, where it will drain dry. And turn into grass.




so we excavated to ~400mm, laid terram with the
wings laid out to the side, filled with 200mm andesite(sp??) granite
scalpings, folded the terram back to cover the scalpings and form a pillow
with overlap and re laid the topsoil. We only formed a 1.5m strip because
the terram is 4.5m wide and to allow overlap but the same could be done
with one overlapped joint under and one on top. The track then looks fairly
natural, is slightly raised to allow run off and has stood up quite well.
If the soil has little bearing capacity because it is clay or silty I
wouldn't worry about reinforcing it with some more soft scalping or even
pebbles as long as they embed in the soil. It's small sharp chips that you
need a boy scout to remove isn't it?

This will all depend on where the area drains to so consider putting a
wavinflow perforated pipe under the joint with the concrete to take the
water.

AJH

Blimey. Total overkill.

"Muddy Horse" wrote in message
...
Hello -

I've got a problem with the soil outside a stable getting eroded by the
horses.
Originally the concrete ramp in the pictures below was level with the
field,
but 15 years of horses walking through mud has create a large muddy hole
(about 3 metres square). It's difficult for the horses to get in and out
of
the stable. So far, we have the following ideas:

1) Fill the hole in with compacted soil. Presumably this would have to be
repeated every few years.
2) Extend the concrete ramp with more concrete. This might be hard work if
DIYed, and expensive if done professionally. Any ideas on how the ramp
should be constructed?
3) Filling the hole with gravel or similar is not acceptable, because it
would injure the horses' feet.
4) Constructing a ramp from wooden sleepers might work, but slipperiness
would be a problem.

Any comments on these ideas, or better ones?

http://i39.tinypic.com/15cyj6d.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/2nrq4xh.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/34jf6df.jpg

Thanks


Thanks for the replies.
Any ideas on where I can order a few tonnes of MOT Type 1 Limestone from in
North Devon, and what sort of price I will pay?
Are builders merchants (Travis Perkins, Jewsons, etc) the best place to
order such things from?

The Natural Philosopher wrote:

Not sure how limestone 'leaches'


As it crushes some of the material dissolves and carries calcium ions into
the surrounding area, which in our case is a sensitive acid heath, calcium
ions raise the pH and affect the plant life, on which some rare insects are
dependent.

Overkill it may be but the terrram was only a couple of hundred quid to
treat 100 metres of wet patch, inert MOT type 1 was GBP8/tonne more than
limestone and it is working.

AJH

On 2 May, 12:12, "Muddy Horse" wrote:
"Muddy Horse" wrote in message

...



Hello -

I've got a problem with the soil outside a stable getting eroded by the
horses.
Originally the concrete ramp in the pictures below was level with the
field,
but 15 years of horses walking through mud has create a large muddy hole
(about 3 metres square). It's difficult for the horses to get in and out
of
the stable. So far, we have the following ideas:

1) Fill the hole in with compacted soil. Presumably this would have to be
repeated every few years.
2) Extend the concrete ramp with more concrete. This might be hard work if
DIYed, and expensive if done professionally. Any ideas on how the ramp
should be constructed?
3) Filling the hole with gravel or similar is not acceptable, because it
would injure the horses' feet.
4) Constructing a ramp from wooden sleepers might work, but slipperiness
would be a problem.

Any comments on these ideas, or better ones?

http://i39.tinypic.com/15cyj6d.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/2nrq4xh.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/34jf6df.jpg

Thanks

Thanks for the replies.
Any ideas on where I can order a few tonnes of MOT Type 1 Limestone from in
North Devon, and what sort of price I will pay?
Are builders merchants (Travis Perkins, Jewsons, etc) the best place to
order such things from?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Try Yellow pages Quarries.

Muddy Horse wrote:

snip

Thanks for the replies.
Any ideas on where I can order a few tonnes of MOT Type 1 Limestone from in
North Devon, and what sort of price I will pay?
Are builders merchants (Travis Perkins, Jewsons, etc) the best place to
order such things from?


I don't know how you go about ordering limestone in Devon.

Quarries tend to deal in 20 tonne minimum loads so would charge you
extra for part loads. When I had 66 tonne of quarry waste recently I had
60 tonnes from a Dales quarry and 6 tonnes from a local builders
merchant. I can't put my hands on the figures right now but I am sure
the builders merchant would have been the cheaper option for the last 6
tonnes. But get it delivered loose if you can. One tonne bags don't
contain a full tonne and cost significantly more per tonne as well.

"Muddy Horse" wrote in message
...
Hello -

I've got a problem with the soil outside a stable getting eroded by the
horses.
Originally the concrete ramp in the pictures below was level with the
field,
but 15 years of horses walking through mud has create a large muddy hole
(about 3 metres square). It's difficult for the horses to get in and out
of
the stable. So far, we have the following ideas:

1) Fill the hole in with compacted soil. Presumably this would have to be
repeated every few years.
2) Extend the concrete ramp with more concrete. This might be hard work if
DIYed, and expensive if done professionally. Any ideas on how the ramp
should be constructed?
3) Filling the hole with gravel or similar is not acceptable, because it
would injure the horses' feet.
4) Constructing a ramp from wooden sleepers might work, but slipperiness
would be a problem.

Any comments on these ideas, or better ones?

That ramp looks slippery and steeper than I'd like to have round horses
anyway. However without doing anything about the current ramp, I'd consider
making wide shallow steps using 6-8 inch treated pin logs and back filing
behind them on the ramp side and gradually stepping down till it reaches the
level of the field. The steps should act to slow the soil being eroded
although they will take some soil away with each step if the muddy
conditions continue so ag pipe drains in the steps might also help to remove
some water. The logs would have to be long enough so that you could put
stakes to hold them in place well outside anywhere the horses are likely to
tread (but you'd already figured that out). I'd also be trying to find some
sort of mulching material that could be spread cheaply and readily that
won't stick in their hooves - straw comes to mind but that could get
expensive.

On 2 May, 13:41, Roger Chapman wrote:
Muddy Horse wrote:

snip

Thanks for the replies.
Any ideas on where I can order a few tonnes of MOT Type 1 Limestone from in
North Devon, and what sort of price I will pay?
Are builders merchants (Travis Perkins, Jewsons, etc) the best place to
order such things from?

I don't know how you go about ordering limestone in Devon.

Quarries tend to deal in 20 tonne minimum loads so would charge you
extra for part loads. When I had 66 tonne of quarry waste recently I had
60 tonnes from a Dales quarry and 6 tonnes from a local builders
merchant. I can't put my hands on the figures right now but I am sure
the builders merchant would have been the cheaper option for the last 6
tonnes. But get it delivered loose if you can. One tonne bags don't
contain a full tonne and cost significantly more per tonne as well.

We have local quaries that use contractors and they will deliver from
aroiund 6 tons. Won't hurs to phone and ask.
David Hill

Muddy Horse wrote:
"Muddy Horse" wrote in message
...
Hello -

I've got a problem with the soil outside a stable getting eroded by
the horses.
Originally the concrete ramp in the pictures below was level with
the field, but 15 years of horses walking through mud has create a
large muddy hole (about 3 metres square). It's difficult for the
horses to get in and out of the stable. So far, we have the
following ideas:

1) Fill the hole in with compacted soil. Presumably this would have
to be repeated every few years.
2) Extend the concrete ramp with more concrete. This might be hard
work if DIYed, and expensive if done professionally. Any ideas on
how the ramp should be constructed?
3) Filling the hole with gravel or similar is not acceptable,
because it would injure the horses' feet.
4) Constructing a ramp from wooden sleepers might work, but
slipperiness would be a problem.

Any comments on these ideas, or better ones?

http://i39.tinypic.com/15cyj6d.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/2nrq4xh.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/34jf6df.jpg

Thanks


Thanks for the replies.
Any ideas on where I can order a few tonnes of MOT Type 1 Limestone
from in North Devon, and what sort of price I will pay?
Are builders merchants (Travis Perkins, Jewsons, etc) the best place
to order such things from?

If all else fails Wickes sell it for £42 a tonne
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Granular-Sub...T1/invt/224665 and have a store
in Barnstaple.

You anywhere near Woolacombe BTW?


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

The Natural Philosopher wrote:

..Not sure how limestone 'leaches' either..

It's slightly soluble (that's why you get caves in limestone areas, and
clints and grikes, and that sort of thing) and results in mildly
alkaline runoff. Enough to mess up a sensitive soil.

Andy

"The Medway Handyman" wrote in message
...
Muddy Horse wrote:
"Muddy Horse" wrote in message
...
Hello -

I've got a problem with the soil outside a stable getting eroded by
the horses.
Originally the concrete ramp in the pictures below was level with
the field, but 15 years of horses walking through mud has create a
large muddy hole (about 3 metres square). It's difficult for the
horses to get in and out of the stable. So far, we have the
following ideas:

1) Fill the hole in with compacted soil. Presumably this would have
to be repeated every few years.
2) Extend the concrete ramp with more concrete. This might be hard
work if DIYed, and expensive if done professionally. Any ideas on
how the ramp should be constructed?
3) Filling the hole with gravel or similar is not acceptable,
because it would injure the horses' feet.
4) Constructing a ramp from wooden sleepers might work, but
slipperiness would be a problem.

Any comments on these ideas, or better ones?

http://i39.tinypic.com/15cyj6d.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/2nrq4xh.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/34jf6df.jpg

Thanks


Thanks for the replies.
Any ideas on where I can order a few tonnes of MOT Type 1 Limestone
from in North Devon, and what sort of price I will pay?
Are builders merchants (Travis Perkins, Jewsons, etc) the best place
to order such things from?

If all else fails Wickes sell it for £42 a tonne
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Granular-Sub...T1/invt/224665 and have a
store
in Barnstaple.

You anywhere near Woolacombe BTW?


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk



Thanks for the replies. I'm a couple of miles south-east of Bideford.
I've noticed that Wickes, B&Q and several other places advertisel "MOT type
1" without specifying what kind of stone it is.
Am I correct in thinking that limestone would be preferable to other rocks
for this particular job?

"The Medway Handyman" wrote in message
...
Muddy Horse wrote:
"Muddy Horse" wrote in message
...
Hello -

I've got a problem with the soil outside a stable getting eroded by
the horses.
Originally the concrete ramp in the pictures below was level with
the field, but 15 years of horses walking through mud has create a
large muddy hole (about 3 metres square). It's difficult for the
horses to get in and out of the stable. So far, we have the
following ideas:

1) Fill the hole in with compacted soil. Presumably this would have
to be repeated every few years.
2) Extend the concrete ramp with more concrete. This might be hard
work if DIYed, and expensive if done professionally. Any ideas on
how the ramp should be constructed?
3) Filling the hole with gravel or similar is not acceptable,
because it would injure the horses' feet.
4) Constructing a ramp from wooden sleepers might work, but
slipperiness would be a problem.

Any comments on these ideas, or better ones?

http://i39.tinypic.com/15cyj6d.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/2nrq4xh.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/34jf6df.jpg

Thanks


Thanks for the replies.
Any ideas on where I can order a few tonnes of MOT Type 1 Limestone
from in North Devon, and what sort of price I will pay?
Are builders merchants (Travis Perkins, Jewsons, etc) the best place
to order such things from?

If all else fails Wickes sell it for £42 a tonne
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Granular-Sub...T1/invt/224665 and have a
store
in Barnstaple.

You anywhere near Woolacombe BTW?


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk


Thanks for the replies. I'm a couple of miles south-east of Bideford.
I've noticed that Wickes, B&Q and several other places advertisel "MOT type
1" without specifying what kind of stone it is.
Am I correct in thinking that limestone would be preferable to other rocks
for this particular job?

andrew wrote:
The Natural Philosopher wrote:

Not sure how limestone 'leaches'


As it crushes some of the material dissolves and carries calcium ions into
the surrounding area, which in our case is a sensitive acid heath, calcium
ions raise the pH and affect the plant life, on which some rare insects are
dependent.


Ah. OK that finally makes sense.


Overkill it may be but the terrram was only a couple of hundred quid to
treat 100 metres of wet patch, inert MOT type 1 was GBP8/tonne more than
limestone and it is working.


Oh, it will work all right. Just seemed expensive. And complicated.



AJH

The Medway Handyman wrote:

If all else fails Wickes sell it for £42 a tonne
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Granular-Sub...T1/invt/224665

£49.40/tonne, considering that's an 850Kg bag.

Andy Burns wrote:
The Medway Handyman wrote:

If all else fails Wickes sell it for £42 a tonne
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Granular-Sub...T1/invt/224665

£49.40/tonne, considering that's an 850Kg bag.

True. Still wouldn't want to lift one up though :-)


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

"FarmI" ask@itshall be given wrote in message
u...
"Muddy Horse" wrote in message
...
Hello -

I've got a problem with the soil outside a stable getting eroded by the
horses.
Originally the concrete ramp in the pictures below was level with the
field,
but 15 years of horses walking through mud has create a large muddy hole
(about 3 metres square). It's difficult for the horses to get in and out
of
the stable. So far, we have the following ideas:

1) Fill the hole in with compacted soil. Presumably this would have to be
repeated every few years.
2) Extend the concrete ramp with more concrete. This might be hard work
if
DIYed, and expensive if done professionally. Any ideas on how the ramp
should be constructed?
3) Filling the hole with gravel or similar is not acceptable, because it
would injure the horses' feet.
4) Constructing a ramp from wooden sleepers might work, but slipperiness
would be a problem.

Any comments on these ideas, or better ones?

That ramp looks slippery and steeper than I'd like to have round horses
anyway. However without doing anything about the current ramp, I'd
consider making wide shallow steps using 6-8 inch treated pin logs and
back filing behind them on the ramp side and gradually stepping down till
it reaches the level of the field. The steps should act to slow the soil
being eroded although they will take some soil away with each step if the
muddy conditions continue so ag pipe drains in the steps might also help
to remove some water. The logs would have to be long enough so that you
could put stakes to hold them in place well outside anywhere the horses
are likely to tread (but you'd already figured that out). I'd also be
trying to find some sort of mulching material that could be spread cheaply
and readily that won't stick in their hooves - straw comes to mind but
that could get expensive.

Catch the local tree surgeon for wood chip from their chipper.
I have successfully "dried" areas larger than that with the stuff. It's bio
degradable, they don't eat it, it's usually very cheap or free and very easy
to spread.
Have done an area of 200m x 5m that was extremely slippery and rutted, gave
a lovely soft underfoot feel, and a soft landing for anyone that fell or
tripped.
Horses seemed to feel more solid footed rather than slipping around on mud
and into holes full of water too.

"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
...
Muddy Horse wrote:
Hello -

I've got a problem with the soil outside a stable getting eroded by the
horses.
Originally the concrete ramp in the pictures below was level with the
field,
but 15 years of horses walking through mud has create a large muddy hole
(about 3 metres square). It's difficult for the horses to get in and out
of
the stable. So far, we have the following ideas:

1) Fill the hole in with compacted soil. Presumably this would have to
be
repeated every few years.
2) Extend the concrete ramp with more concrete. This might be hard work
if
DIYed, and expensive if done professionally. Any ideas on how the ramp
should be constructed?
3) Filling the hole with gravel or similar is not acceptable, because it
would injure the horses' feet.
4) Constructing a ramp from wooden sleepers might work, but slipperiness
would be a problem.

Any comments on these ideas, or better ones?


This is exactly where MOT type 1 limestone will work.

Fill the hole with that, and smash it down as best you can. Then put
soil over the top.

If the horses dont mash it too much, grass will grow, Think ;'chalk downs'

If the horses do mash it down., it will end us as an eroded pathway -
think 'bridleway on chalk downs'.

MOT type 1 is marvellous stuff. It is free draining, , it compresses to
a permanent layer, and with soil on top, grass likes to grow on it.

every time I have a hollow place which is muddy and boggy, a layer of it
works wonders.

Even down to where the lorries use my front drive and adjacent verge as
a passing place: the wheel tracks got filled with it, and now grass
grows and the wheels don't sink in.

The stables round here us it a lot too, fir similar reasons to yours.


http://i39.tinypic.com/15cyj6d.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/2nrq4xh.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/34jf6df.jpg

Thanks



Thanks for the replies.
I haven't been able to locate a source of MOT type 1 limestone in North
Devon yet.
Is the type of stone important, or would pretty much any "MOT type 1" be
sufficient in this case?
eg. This unspecified stone from Wickes:
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Granular-Sub...T1/invt/224665
Thanks

On 2 May, 09:32, "Muddy Horse" wrote:

I've got a problem with the soil outside a stable getting eroded by the
horses.

Plastic grid tiles, which you infill with soil, gravel or grow turf
through. They're mostly sold for car hardstanding, to look better than
bare gravel, carry weight better than grass and drain through better
than tarmac. £20 /m^2 or so, Screwfix have them, or you can shop
around at real merchants for tougher ones.

Muddy Horse wrote:
"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
...
Muddy Horse wrote:
Hello -

I've got a problem with the soil outside a stable getting eroded by the
horses.
Originally the concrete ramp in the pictures below was level with the
field,
but 15 years of horses walking through mud has create a large muddy hole
(about 3 metres square). It's difficult for the horses to get in and out
of
the stable. So far, we have the following ideas:

1) Fill the hole in with compacted soil. Presumably this would have to
be
repeated every few years.
2) Extend the concrete ramp with more concrete. This might be hard work
if
DIYed, and expensive if done professionally. Any ideas on how the ramp
should be constructed?
3) Filling the hole with gravel or similar is not acceptable, because it
would injure the horses' feet.
4) Constructing a ramp from wooden sleepers might work, but slipperiness
would be a problem.

Any comments on these ideas, or better ones?

This is exactly where MOT type 1 limestone will work.

Fill the hole with that, and smash it down as best you can. Then put
soil over the top.

If the horses dont mash it too much, grass will grow, Think ;'chalk downs'

If the horses do mash it down., it will end us as an eroded pathway -
think 'bridleway on chalk downs'.

MOT type 1 is marvellous stuff. It is free draining, , it compresses to
a permanent layer, and with soil on top, grass likes to grow on it.

every time I have a hollow place which is muddy and boggy, a layer of it
works wonders.

Even down to where the lorries use my front drive and adjacent verge as
a passing place: the wheel tracks got filled with it, and now grass
grows and the wheels don't sink in.

The stables round here us it a lot too, fir similar reasons to yours.


http://i39.tinypic.com/15cyj6d.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/2nrq4xh.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/34jf6df.jpg

Thanks



Thanks for the replies.
I haven't been able to locate a source of MOT type 1 limestone in North
Devon yet.
Is the type of stone important, or would pretty much any "MOT type 1" be
sufficient in this case?
eg. This unspecified stone from Wickes:
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Granular-Sub...T1/invt/224665
Thanks

The thing about lime is it crushes and its permeable.

Just look for limestone sub base type material.

Muddy Horse wrote:

I've got a problem with the soil outside a stable getting eroded by the
horses.

snip

Many have suggested MoT1, but a cheaper alternative to "proper" MoT1 is
crushed brick/concrete to a similar grading. Many of the reclamation
places sell it, and round here it's about £6 / tonne plus delivery.

I've used it under a concrete slab for a garage base, and it compacted
well. MoT1 looks tidier, but if it gets wet before it's covered, the
white paste gets everywhere.


--
Kevin Poole
****Use current date to reply (e.g. )****

I've got a problem with the soil outside a stable getting eroded by the
horses.

Plastic grid tiles, which you infill with soil, gravel or grow turf
through. They're mostly sold for car hardstanding, to look better than
bare gravel, carry weight better than grass and drain through better
than tarmac. £20 /m^2 or so, Screwfix have them, or you can shop
around at real merchants for tougher ones.

I had this problem once, I had no money to spend on anything to help, so
when I mucked out I spread the dirty and wet straw on the muddy areas and
eventually it dried and made a good surface.

kate

On May 3, 6:42 pm, Kevin Poole wrote:
Muddy Horse wrote:

I've got a problem with the soil outside a stable getting eroded by the
horses.

snip

Many have suggested MoT1, but a cheaper alternative to "proper" MoT1 is
crushed brick/concrete to a similar grading. Many of the reclamation
places sell it, and round here it's about £6 / tonne plus delivery.

I've used it under a concrete slab for a garage base, and it compacted
well. MoT1 looks tidier, but if it gets wet before it's covered, the
white paste gets everywhere.

IME any "white paste" (small fines mixed with rain) will very quickly
disperse to leave a non-pasty surface.

I agree crushed concrete or maybe crushed brick (but not too soft a
brick) would be a cheaper substitute - just be aware that there can be
all sorts of crap in crushed demoliution waste - (metal bar, glass,
nails, wood) ask lots of questions and have a good look before buying
and whilst spreading.

Cheers
JimK