Sand floor in horse shelter

[Butterfli23]

Hi! The sand in our horse shelter shifts too much and their hooves are sinking in the sand … they’re in the shelter mostly for grain and to be away from bugs/weather but go in/out as they please. Fortunately, they don’t pee/poop very much in the shelter. Looking to put mats on top of the sand as an option to help them stay on top a bit more. Is this an option or a waste of $? If mats would work, should I get grid mats?

Was planning to call the quarry to see if we could mix something with the sand and compact it so it’s not as deep.

Thank you!!!

[luvmyhackney]

Mats over sand would be a PITA. The mats would constantly move.

I’d either remove the sand and add a nice layer of rock dust that compacts then do sand over that just be ok that they have deep sand to lay down in.

[Butterfli23]

Thank you!!! I was wondering the same thing… think it would work to mix the stone dust in to help compact a bit? And, is it a huge issue that their hooves are sinking? About 1/2 way up their hoof right now. Thanks!!

[Foxglove]

I use sand in my stalls -and have for six years at the suggestion of my farrier. I have it delivered every two years, the kids who work for me shovel it into stalls and all is right in the world. After two years it seems to need replacing, so I do.

My sand is mixed with clay which makes it less dusty --but a few things to consider –

My horses are only in for an hour each day to eat (at most, usually in and out quicker than that). When I had a horse on stall rest for two weeks, sand did not work well. By the time the stall rest was over, we were down to the clay floor of the stall --no sand left. It is non-absorbent --pee passes right through it to the clay over gravel stall floors. Good for light use, but not, I think for 24/7 confinement.

The stalls after a few months, are sand-thin in the middle, and a thick ring of sand has built up along the edges. The barn kids that work for me take shovels and correct that a couple of times a year. This is heavy, back-breaking work. At 70+ I could not do it myself.

[Butterfli23]

Thank you so much for your reply! I wasn’t sure if it being a few inches deep is an issue for them walking/standing in it? They have the option to go in/out as they please but have been standing in the shelter to get away from the flies and the sand goes 1/2 way up their hooves. Thank you again!

[Simkie]

I had beach sand under mats here when we moved in and it was a nightmare. Mats need a solid, stable surface underneath. Some types of sand (angular?) “locks” together, but it doesn’t sound like that’s what you have.

What concerns do you have about your horses with the sand as it is right now? If the only issue is that it’s “soft”, I wouldn’t do anything. An inch or two of give is not a big deal.

Do they eat elsewhere? Sand colic is an issue if you’re feeding on the sand.

[endlessclimb]

How big is the shelter? If it’s smaller, I’d try wetting the sand, plate compacting it level, laying the mats and securing the mats with 12" spikes. Worth a shot, costs nearly nothing, easy to redo if it doesn’t work.

If it’s a larger area, I’d scrape and put in limestone then compact and lay mats (still secure them). Ain’t nobody got time to do a giant area twice.

[Butterfli23]

Thank you for your reply!! Was concerned about any joint issues with moving through the deeper sand… but sounds like that should be okay?

Hay nets are secured above large troughs (no contact with the sand) in the shelter while they’re in there during the day (that’s where their fans are). Thank you again!

[Butterfli23]

Thank you for your reply!! It’s about 36’ by 10’ … we did wet the sand compact with a compactor this weekend and it helped a bit but still a couple inches deep where they step. Wonder if we should rent the compactor and try it again?

Thank you for the tips about the mats and stakes!

[Simkie]

Non angular sand won’t compact. You can tamp it forever and it won’t ever get solid. It’s the nature of the particles. There are no edges to lock together.

It sounds like you’ve got risk of ingesting sand covered. If you do ever decide to mat this space, remove the sand, bring in something angular–screenings are a common choice–and tamp/level.

[Butterfli23]

Thank you so much!!! I really appreciate your help!