Far Ground Story

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Yard works

We had designed a track leading from the new entrance that led up to the barn and stable area. This would enable us to have a car parking area completely separate to the horses and stables, so we could drive freely in and out whilst keeping the horses safely away from the gate. We also enlarged the stable yard to give horses extra loafing space when confined to the yard over winter nights, and also space for a large tractor/trailer to turn when delivering hay. This meant scraping off the surface soil, which was only a few inches deep being on Cotswold brash, and then adding stone on top.

Starting to create the track
Using some of the soil to create a raised bund
Creating the lower yard

Whilst we had a basic plan, the fine detail of the yard layout was developing as we went. We had been unsure how to best use the sloped area in front of the old gateway. We wanted to add a field shelter for Harley, and also haylage bale storage and possibly parking for the horse trailer. So we began digging out and levelling. A LOT of stone came out, brash type that was ideal for using on boggy areas of the new horse track

Levelling the area in front of the old gate
Looking up to the old gateway.
The muck pit will be on the left
The new yard area developing
Temporary gates on the entrance

Laying water pipes

We laid new water pipes to install several taps around the yard and one into the orchard, an easy job now but it would be much more difficult later on

Laying pipes across the yard
Moving the main tap to the other end of the stable block where the new tack room will be.
Water pipe to the Orchard

Surfacing the yard

We had about 6 lorry loads of Type 1 stone delivered
The yard looks enormous! Car parking area already in use.
It needs fences and gates
Yard fencing starting
Fencing completed, and the horse track access added below the car park area
The gate to main field.
We found several old metal gates buried around the yard, and recycled them.
Area below the muck pit, from here the horse track goes down the hedgeline
The stone needed a topping to stabilise it, type one stone is a good base layer but not ideal for horses hooves
Mira checking out the new delivery. Approved!
It’s a bit brightly coloured at the moment, but will tone down fairly quickly
Level area now that will be very useful
14th October 2023.
We enjoyed a rather cold night camping on the new yard with Neil, Jo , Cerys and Iris to celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary
Cheers 🥂
A rare moment to be still and enjoy the view
Harley was hopeful for early breakfast!
Harley’s field shelter arrived in November
Trailer installed and still room for haylage bales.
Working on the new muck pit

Concreting

We needed to put a concrete base in the muck pit. Luckily before we were ready to do this the farrier came to shoe the horses. I quickly realised that he needed a concrete area outside the stables where he can work on a clean surface. This is easy to organise right now but would be much more awkward once the yard is completed,

The farrier prefers to work outside especially in winter because the light is better. It makes his job a lot easier if he has a clean concrete to work on.
Good job we made the entrance big enough!
Farrier shoeing area was an easy fix when the concrete lorry was delivering anyway
The farrier enjoying his new hard standing, and Mira enjoying the view
Concreting the muck pit
And the area next to the tack room.
We plan to add water tanks here to harvest rain water from the stable roof
Clive clad the concrete plinth with old fence rails.
He still needs to add a proper step at some point.

Installing and insulating the yard trough

We went to some effort to insulate the yard trough, because frozen pipes in the winter make horsecare much more difficult and labour intensive. Clive did a great job on the trough.

Insulating the trough
The trough proved itself later in the winter and never fully froze

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