Hello, all and thanks for your time. We dug down into the clay about 8" and laid a gravel/grit mixed base that sets up tight (here its called shotrock). After a very wet winter, no problems. Backhoe doesn't budge it, and manure/waste hay peels off like an orange peel. All is well.
By the...
The hay feeder is not the problem. it can sit on anything. horses in the mud with manure and waste hay - that's the problem. horses hooves mixing hay and manure and rain - that's the problem. hay feeders don't need concrete.
Sand does not hold up at all to backhoe or tractor scraping. on top...
Elevated feeders; wood chips break down and work into the soil to make deeper muck...rubber does the same. Not a real drainage problem but at 40" rain per year this is just a fact of life. Concrete and hard surface ruin horses' joints and hooves.
Horses will use the area. 1000 lbs on small hooves. 20 of them. Its a rescue/feedlot. Backhoe will access this pad to scrape away waste hay and manure (4 ton backhoe). Can be used carefully to backdrag without digging up the surface (I use it). Impervious surface won't do - hard on horse...
Am installing a 40' X 60' base for horse feed lot and composting area. Located in SE PA. Base is 3' clay. Suggestions welcome regarding alternatives such as fly ash, hydrated lime applications, or compacted stone...
