OklahomaHorses Magazine March 2021

March/April 2021 • OklahomaHorses 29 to use “gravel screenings with fines.” It is im- portant to order the material with exactly that terminology as it will be mostly free of large jagged pieces that can hurt a horse’s hooves. Six to 8 inches of material should eliminate issues with mud for many years to decades. The material will compact naturally over time and create a surface almost as good as concrete. Be sure to slope the material away from buildings and for drainage. Poor drainage will decrease the lifespan and effectiveness of this material. If funds are available, a layer of geotextile fabric between the soil and the gravel will improve the structure and durability. Regardless of the surface treatment, it’s important to get the water to drain away as quickly as possible. There are a number of ways to address this. The first is to slope the surface to drain. After that, you’ll want a swale or a ditch to take the water away from the dry lot. A French drain is another option. It is a trench filled with gravel or rock or containing a perforated pipe that redirects surface water and groundwater away from an area. A French drain can be placed strategically around an entire area to carry water away; it can be especially useful when the area being drained must be piped to get to the discharge point. They also have the advantage of being hidden underground, which may have aesthetic advantages in certain locations. One drawback to French drains is they tend to become clogged with fine sediments over time, and they can be less effective in heavy rains as they can’t carry the large volume of water as quickly as a ditch or a swale. Regardless of the drainage method it is im- portant to consider where the water will go and what is in it. Generally, water must leave your property via natural pathways and in the same volume as it came in. In most areas, it’s illegal to discharge more water onto your neighbor’s property than would normally be there. It is also illegal to discharge water across a neigh- boring property in an area where there was no water before. Also, consider there are manure and nutrients in the drainage that aren’t suitable for lakes and streams. Discharge to a temporary holding pond on your property might be the best option to give nutrients and pollutants a chance to set- tle out and decompose. Plant some water-loving plants and create a filtering wetland. Ordinarily, I would give some information on costs for these solutions. The situations with various land, slopes, soil types, material cost and availability, local contractors, etc., make this difficult to impossible in a general sense. Each owner knows his or her particular situation the best. For more complex issues, the best advice would be to consult the nearest state or county Natural Resources Conservation Service. STILLWATER 502 E. 6th Ave Stillwater, OK 74074 405-372-2766 DAVIS 205 South A St Davis, OK 73030 580-369-2354 CLAREMORE 721 W. 6th St. Claremore, OK 74017 918-341-0933 PERRY 205 Gene Taylor Perry, OK 73077 580-336-2168 • Flowers, Vegetables & Gardening Supplies • Oklahoma owned and operated since 1891 • Over 100 in-state dealers plus TX and AR • Livestock handling equipment, animal health, home and garden, livestock feed, clothing