Choosing the Best Footing
Knowing your plans for your equine facility will assist in executing the major and minor factors for a smooth sailing facility. Commonly, you will be looking at many different types of flooring for your stalls, aisles, tack room, feed room, wash rack, arena, and many more areas of your property. Keep in mind each area's intended purpose, don't forget a place for the farrier and vets. Also, spacing for ally ways.
The main components to remember while you are building or redesigning your facility; the equine that will be staying there. It should provide a safe, healthy, and comfortable living space for the horses and riders. If you have the layout of the land, this will give you an idea for drainage, soil, hill size, and much more.
When choosing your flooring, remember the air quality that comes with that flooring. Airborne dust can cause harm to all your barn members if not well maintained. This can cause respiratory issues and allergic reactions for the equine, employees, and riders in your facility. By maintaining proper ventilation will lower the risks for all members.
Dirt's Pros and Cons in Stalls
Pros:
- Dirt is easy to find at most locations.
- It is relatively inexpensive to transport to your desired location.
- It provides a good cushion and traction for the horse and rider.
Cons:
- Even though it gives good cushion and traction, it only lasts 1-2 years used in the stalls.
- There is frequent maintenance and needs replacing especially with different weather seasons.
- It can create a muddy mess throughout the facility making it difficult to clean and maintain a sanitized location.
Clay's Pros and Cons in Stalls
Pros:
- The pricing is low.
- It can provide a good cush for the equine.
- Traction is well provided in the stalls when maintained properly.
Cons:
- It is slow drying.
- Clay will last about 1-2 years in the stalls.
- Also, can be difficult to clean and keep sanitized with frequent maintenance and replacements.
Sand's Pros and Cons for Laminitis Treatments in the Stall
Pros:
- Pricing is low for a one-time purchase.
- It drains well providing a very good cushion for the horse.
- Reduces pressure when standing on it for laminitis.
Cons:
- Sand is not recommended for longevity.
- It can cause problems with sand colic, sand cracks, and dust.
- Also, could be unstable in certain environments.
Gravel's Pros and Cons for Under Mats, Stalls, and Driveways
Pros:
- Cost is efficient and lasts more than five years while adding more periodically.
- It drains well or is very porous.
Cons:
- Gravel can shift causing unstableness when walking on.
- It is difficult to maintain if not well done.
Concrete's Pros and Cons for Aisles, Wash Rack, and Feed Room
Pros:
- Concrete can last a long time.
- It is easy to clean and maintain.
- With the right texture, it provides good traction.
Cons:
- There is no cushion when walking on.
- A drain will need to be put in place or a slope installed for drainage purposes.
- The expenses can be more than gravel, dirt, or sand to pour concrete.
Brick's Pros and Cons for Aisles and Tack Rooms
Pros:
- The longevity of bricks lasts 10 plus years.
- Easier to maintain when laid correctly.
- Gives a rustic and/or a distinguished look.
- Cleaning will be easier.
Cons:
- No good cushioning when walking or standing on.
- Will need a drain or slope installed to drain with a stable base.
- The traction is okay until it is wet, then it becomes more slippery.
- It is also a relatively high price.
Rubber Mat's Pros and Cons for Stalls, Wash Rack, and Shoeing
Pros:
-They last up to 10 plus years if maintained.
- It provides good cushioning to walk on.
- Mats are also easy to clean and provides good traction.
Cons:
- High end on pricing.
- The mats will need a base or slope to drain properly.
- They can be heavy, especially when wet.
Shaving's Pros and Cons for Stalls
Pros:
- Shavings are absorbent when wet.
- It is relatively easy to maintain and sweep.
- It provides a cushion when walking or standing on.
Cons:
- Depending on the quality, it can be dusty.
- It doesn't last very long.
- It needs to be cleaned and replaced often.
Wood's Pros and Cons for Tack rooms
Pros:
- It creates a rustic feel to the facility.
- Pricing could be low if well maintained.
Cons:
- It should be kept dry.
- When wet, can create slippery spots.
There are more ideas and strategies you can go about designing your footing for your barn. Things to keep in mind when deciding are; initial costs, longevity, cushion, drainage, odor, cleaning, maintenance, and traction. Always remember the most important is the safety and health of the equine. For the health of the equine, think about; dust, mold, storing bedding, keeping dry, and ammonia buildup. Each animal and rider are different in their own ways making it difficult in having the best flooring or building specifically designed to each individual animal, but having it safe and environmentally friendly creates a calming and healthy ambiance.
Remember to ask yourself these few questions when deciding;
- What are the health concerns that come with this flooring?
- How and where is this flooring readily available? Will it ever be not readily available at some point?
- How will the flooring be removed from the area or facility?
- Where can the flooring be stored on the grounds?
- If a horse has health issues, how can the risk be lowered in the facilities environment?
There are always many factors to be considered when working with equine. Benner Stride is here to help with designing and planning your equine facility. If your facility is in need of information and ideas, we are here to assist you and your business. Welcome to the Equidae Family!