To construct a paddock

The drained water must not be allowed to remain under the riding-ground. This is done by proper drainage and by laying the riding-ground with an incline of 1–2 % towards the edges. It is also ideal if you drain just outside of the paddock so that the water accumulates directly adjacent to the riding-ground.

You will need:

• Excavator, loader or bulldozer
• Compactor/tamper or roller
• Rake
• Spade
• Brick line
• Setting out pins

We recommend these materials:

• Drainage pipe 50–75 mm
• Macadam e.g. 11/16
• Base course e.g. 0/32
• Rock flour e.g. 0/2
• Sand e.g. 0/8

Do this:

Keep in mind before planning the drainage.

The drainage trenches under the riding-ground must be laid with approximately 6 meter spacing. It must also be drained around the edges with run-off into a surface water gully. The riding-ground should have an incline of 1–2 % towards the edges. Either with the break point along the middle line like a roof or depending on the ground’s slope in general. If the riding-ground lies on sloping ground, the incline is laid in the direction of the land.

1. Measure up the surface for the paddock and then mark this out with a brick line. Excavate gravel or soil material to a depth of about 30–40 cm.
2. The excavated floor must be drained.
3. You should dig drainage trenches where the drainage pipes are to be installed. Dig these so that the drainage pipes are level with the excavated floor.
4. When you have installed the drainage pipes you backfill these with macadam.
5. Above the drainage trenches you lay geotextile fabric class 3.
6. Spread out the base course over the entire area. The base course must be 10–15 cm thick.
7. Spread out a layer of rock flour, approximately 5 cm thick. Compact this layer to a hard surface with a tamper or roller.
8. Spread it out.