Conference noted::equitation

    Hi Brenda,
    
    When I redid my stall floor, we dug out the dirt that was there and 
    added about 3-4" of 3/4 stone.  After that was leveled off we cut the
    mats to fit and put them right over the stone.  Stone dust doesn't
    drain all that well and that's why we used the stone.  It worked out
    really well. 
    
    Linda

    
    Brenda,
    
    I also like the stone dust stalls.  You can rent a "packer" a big
    machine that will pack the stone dust nice and tight, firm and level.  
    Then lay the mats on top of that.  IMHO it's the only way to go.
    
    Louisa

    Stone dust is recommended by some stall mat manufacturers as the ideal
    base for mats. Notes 51 and 52 discuss stall mats, installation
    techniques, stall flooring and related topics. 
    
    Since stone dust is usually considered to be 1/4" and smaller bits of
    stone, it's not available everywhere. I had to use slightly larger
    stuff(1/2" minus, I think)...
    
    Good luck
    John

    I too am in search of the best flooring for our new barn...I do have
    mats and because of the high water level was thinking of adding several
    inches of stone dust and then the mats. I had this at my last house and
    it worked fine....
    
    BUT, what do you do with the muddy area just outside there stalls and
    where there water is...I had this problem in the last house also..they
    are up to their hocks in mud!!! Grass will never grow in these areas
    where they hang!!!  so what do I do...more stone dust and pack it.
    
    Suggestions welcome!!
    
    Caryl

    Well, If you can improve the drainage of the area that might help. One
    thing that can be done is to dig a trench through the area out to
    someplace that it can drainlike a pond, dry well, a big swale or even
    a flat unused area of the yard. Then, you put a foot or two of rock in
    the trench and cover it over with dirt. You could also put in those
    plastic flexible perforated drain tubes that come in big rolls. cover
    them with rock  and then dirt. 
    
    If you can't improve the drainage, I've only seen a few methods of 
    dealing with muddy areas around here(where the mud season lasts about 
    5 months!):
    
    1. Rock - either crushed rock (1 1/2" minus) or pit gravel.
    2. Wood byproducts - what we call "hog fuel" - it's basically 
    	lumber mill waste that has been put through a grinder. Lots
    	of people use it for riding arena footing. 
    3. Combination of 1 & 2.
    
    I think packed stone dust would hold a lot of water so I'd probably try
    larger crushed rock or gravel to get more drainage. The problem with 
    larger rock is that your horses will pick up some in their shoes. I'd
    make it 4" to 6" deep.
    
    If you want something that's easier on their feet, the "hog fuel" works
    pretty well if it's at least 4" deep. Around here, it's cheaper than
    rock so it might be worth checking into.
    
    For combination arrangements, people usually put down 2" - 4"  of rock
    and then 4" of the wood byproducts stuff.

    I heard that very fine stone dust can cause problems in the hoof. I too
    am interested in this project including improving drainage. One
    solution for yard drainage is to dig a trench then line it with a
    plastic environmental fabric, then fill the fabric with gravel. The
    fabric is wrapped around the gravel and keeps it from mixing with dirt
    and mud.
    
    Rob
    

    		We used clay in our stalls.  Can't beat it as far as I'm 
    concerned.  We put rubber mats on top it it.  So far it's worked out
    great....
    
    			FWIW,
    
    			   Bob