Author’s Note:About this time of the year at Horses for Clean Water we begin getting lots of inquiries regarding mud, ways to care for horses over the coming rainy season, and winter preparedness. The following question is one that I recently received and thought I would share it with NWHS readers.
QUESTION:
I have a small area outside a run-in shed that gets muddy in winter. What is the best thing to do? I remember something from your classes about a fabric to put down, then gravel. Can you tell me the specifics? Thanks!
Linda, Vashon Island, WA (internet query)
ANSWER:
Hello Linda and thanks for your email question.
What you are asking about is geotextile fabric. If the soil around your run-in shed is particularly mucky and wet you may want to consider laying down some type of geotextile fabric and then placing footing material on top. Geotextile fabric is often used as a layer between soil and footing material to provide a barrier that keeps the footing material from sinking into the mud. This separation helps the gravel maintain its position, improves drainage and increases the load bearing capacity of the site. The fabric’s small holes allow it to be water permeable and at the same time a barrier for mud.
Geotextile fabric can be purchased through hardware stores, farm and garden supply stores, construction material companies, and drainage supply companies. The fabric comes in rolls like carpet, typically 8 to 15 feet wide and 120 to 450 feet in length. The rolls should be stored in a dry location and out of the sun until installation (geotextile fabric is a petrochemical-based polymer that resists decomposition by bacterial or fungal action but is susceptible to deterioration from ultraviolet light).
There are many different types of geotextile fabrics. Woven and nonwoven are both commonly used in confinement areas and are similar in strength, but water will pass more easily through nonwoven geotextiles. Geotextile fabric is available in weights ranging from 3.5 to 18 ounces per square yard. The proper weight range for high-traffic area applications for the nonwoven fabric is generally 5 to 6 ounces per square yard. With the proper drainage and pore size, woven geotextile fabrics can also be used.
Once you’ve selected the proper fabric for your situation, the best time to install it is when the soil at the site is dry. Here are some tips on installation:
Clear the area of any sharp objects, stumps, or debris. Remove old footing material and/or manure that has accumulated in the confinement area.
Scrape until firm ground is reached. Grade the existing soil surface to drain away from your horse shelter. Usually a 1-2% slope is recommended.
Unroll the geotextile fabric as smoothly as possible. To prevent tears, the fabric should not be dragged across the ground. At the joints, fabric should overlap at about 1 foot. The fabric needs to extend beyond the paddock fence lines so that horses cannot grab or paw up loose ends. Anchor fabric with 6-inch rebar spikes.
Place the gravel (or other footing material) on top of the fabric. I usually recommend a washed gravel product without the minus (the fines). Use crushed rock sized between 3/8 to 5/8 inch as very small pieces will clog the pores of the fabric and restrict drainage.
Use care when spreading gravel and driving on the fabric as tires can pull the fabric and cause wrinkling. Complete the final spreading and smoothing of the footing material either by hand or with equipment like a tractor bucket.
Since geotextile fabric provides separation between soil and gravel, you will not need to add footing material nearly as often as you would otherwise.
Once you’ve gone through this additional effort and expense of installing geotextile fabric, be sure to maintain the integrity of your site by cleaning up manure often—on a daily basis as much as possible. And also be sure that you are doing the other necessary steps towards reducing mud such as diverting roof runoff away with gutters and downspouts.
HCW personnel are available for individual consultations. Email Alayne@horsesforcleanwater.com or call 425-432-6116.
Have a mud-free and chore-efficient winter!
Alayne
Join Horses for Clean Water at the following events and visit www.HorsesforCleanWater.com for new events added regularly:
Beyond where the Pavement Ends
Saturday, September 16th, 10am to noon.
HOBART, WA
Tour the Three Sisters Mule Farm, a private 10-acre equine property. See a group sacrifice area, a composting shed, rotational grazing and more management techniques that reduce mud and help with chore efficiency. Contact the King Conservation District at 425-277-5581, ext. 125 or Roseanne.Campagna@kingcd.org.
Fall in Place
Friday, September 22nd, 6:30-8:30 pm.
BRUSH PRAIRIE, WA
Learn ways to make the coming winter more chore-efficient, less stressful, and healthier for your horses and the environment! Details: Clark Conservation District, 360-883-1987, ext 112.
Winter Horse Farm Management Workshop
Saturday, September 23rd from 9am to 4:30pm
BRUSH PRAIRIE, WA
Learn techniques for reducing mud, composting horse manure, managing small pastures, reducing fly and mosquito populations and creating wildlife enhancement areas. Register by September 15. Contact the Clark Conservation District at 360-883-1987, ext112.
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