GeoTextile Cloth

[MikePA]

Since it's been so wet this spring, I can't get into our new field to continue installing the fence I started last Fall. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif So, I decided I would begin work on digging out our three horse stalls. Do I know how to have fun, or what? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Since I can not get any mechanized equipment into the stalls (three, 12' x 12' stalls), I will be doing all this by hand. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Based upon feedback I've received on TBN before, my plan is as follows;

1. Dig down 10" across the entire area, sloping to 12" at the center.
2. Dig a hole in the center to contain a 15 gallon blue plastic barrel, perforated with holes.
3. Lay down geotextile cloth over the entire area. (I will actually use the Stall Skins we have installed now)
4. Put down 6" of 2A modified limestone (3/4" down to fines).
5. Lay down geotextile cloth.
6. Lay down 4" of sand.

Two Questions...
- What's the TBN brain trust think of this plan?
- The geotextile cloth I am looking at is located here. Since I only need enough cloth to do three stalls, I was going to order the 15' x 15' pond liner instead of an entire roll of the fabric somewhere else. However, I wasn't sure if the 8 oz fabric was the same stuff that gets used under driveways. Is it?

 

[Will_C]

Mike; I don't know what to tell you except the material you are looking at is pricey! I don't know the weight, but my brother uses the same fabric used on the Town roads, and he pays about $300 for a 13'x300' roll. (He uses when he installs sand filter septic systems.) The fabric on the website you linked is $300 for a 15'x100' section.
Your plan sounds good to me, although I have vever installed any stalls. It seems like you have drainage and cushioning under control.
Will

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Mike,

Just a thought.....Sam's Club sells large rolls of Landscape fabric, 4' x 400'? for about $28. It's probably not as thick as the Geotextile cloth but you could lay it out then double it up using a criss cross pattern.

 

[cowboydoc]

I'm not sure what your purpose of using the cloth is Mike? I really don't think it's necessary. I looked on the stallskins website and they don't mention it either. I also wouldn't use the sand. It's too soft and will give too much in my opinion.

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> I'm not sure what your purpose of using the cloth is Mike? </font>
I was going to use it to keep the limestone from getting pushed down into the underlying clay.

<font color="blue"> I also wouldn't use the sand. </font>
Would you just use the limestone and put the bedding (pine wood chips) on top of that?

 

[gordon]

Here is a link to geotextiles and livestock. GEOTEXTILE AND LIVESTOCK

I've attached a picture of the woven geotextile that I use. Price is under a doller per running foot for a 12' wide roll. In this area it's well worth it under driveways or for skidding trails. Sorry but I can't help you on horse use. But a geotextile used correctly will really help in rutting so I guess that would speak for itself.

I would also look to see if your local rental centers, ag centers or even where your going to buy your limestone from sell any type of geotextile. Just a thought. Good luck

Gordon

 

[Will_C]

Gordon's picture is what I was referring to earlier. Sounds like it is priced about the same.
Will

 

[cowboydoc]

Didn't you say you were using the stallskins Mike? They have an excellent step by step picture of doing this on their website. You need something over the top of the limestone after you lay it down. If not it gets to be a mess. Either stallskins or rubber mats are well worth the price.

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> Didn't you say you were using the stallskins Mike? </font>
The problem we're having is with the clay underneath the StallSkins. When it gets water logged, you feel as if you're walking on a water bed. As the clay dries out, the stall floors become a 12' x 12' series of hills and valleys.

My plan was to dig down a foot, install the leach pit with the 15 gallon barrel in the center. (That's what you used, right?) Cover with limestone (not sure why StallSkin recommends the sand), then cover with another Stallskin. It will be difficult to reuse the existing Stallskin since they've already been trimmed.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Mike,

What would your seasonal high water table be? Have you dug a test hole to see if it fills with water and how high it fills with water. If the water table is high your blue barrel will fill up with water and then have no place to go....