I had a thread about this about a month ago but haven’t been on in a little while and now its not showing in my posts, so idk if it got deleted or what but figured I’d just start a part 2.
With the help of other users I have made a bit of progress, but still don’t have all the details worked out. I was planning on doing a gravel base with landscape fabric then DG (basically stonedust), but now I’m thinking I may just do dg straight on the compacted dirt. I have heard some have had success with this (with stone dust), I’d love to hear if anyone has done this how it works for them!
I’ve seen DG called stone dust, but have also seen that it is not exactly the same since it is granite and i believe stone dust is usually lime stone. We do not have typical stone dust/screenings in our area (at least that I can find), so DG is the most similar thing we have. I have actually heard it drains better, but would love to hear others experience with DG in dry lots as well and how it compares to normal stone dust. My plan is to put down 4 in of Dg, compact with a roller, then put another 2 inches on top that I keep loose with the arena drag every so often to be a bit more forgiving on their joints (mild arthritis and they will spend most of their time in these dry lots). Then in the area under the overhang where i’ll feed hay, I’ll just do the compacted dg with mats under their hay feeder.
I am going back and forth with kick boards, it seems like the hassle of drainage may make it not worth it; but I’m thinking maybe I could leave about an inch at the bottom for water to drain through the compacted stuff thats less likely to run out, and will keep in the loose top part.
Fencing: this is a big one. I want to do something that keeps dogs out, so electric is not really an option. Im thinking no climb fencing with a top rail, either wood or flex fence. Flex fence is less expensive and would be preferred, but if I do that I’m not sure if it would hold up if I used it as a bottom rail/kickboard, I’ll have to call and ask. I also would rather not run electric on the inside, which seems common to keep horses from stretching the fence. There won’t be grass outside the fence they would try to reach for, so I’m not sure if I would need it or not. Wood prices are way up right now, so buying all the posts even if we do flex rails is going to hurt 
Im going to make a sand pit in each for rolling, I’m not sure which size/sand depth to do, or what is best to use to keep the sand from going everywhere. Size I’m thinking maybe something about 14’x16’, and maybe 4-5 in of sand? Also curious about placement of these, I was thinking of putting them in a corner, but was also thinking if they could potentially slip in the deep sand going around a corner quick, probably overthinking a bit 
I am also planning on using Nelson automatic waterers if anyone has any experience with those I’d love to hear!
I think those are my main questions for now, all advice/experience shared is appreciated 
) and much, much cheaper than wood right now.