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floor of shelter

whisperinghopefarm

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28 Jun ’14 - 12:30 am

I am on the side of a sloping hill. We have a horse/cow run in. The big problem is that because we are on the side of a hill all of the drainage runs into the horse run in. I have tried to make the other end of the run in slope more so it runs out but it doesn't work because the shelter area is a little more flater. I have heard that gravel won't work because the horse/cow will push gravel in dirt and then you have no gravel plus horses don't do well in gravel without shoes on. I would really like to put cement down and make a little higher embankment in front to fend off some of the water. Does anyone have any ideas?

easytapper

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28 Jun ’14 - 3:10 pm

whisperinghopefarm said
I am on the side of a sloping hill. We have a horse/cow run in. The big problem is that because we are on the side of a hill all of the drainage runs into the horse run in. I have tried to make the other end of the run in slope more so it runs out but it doesn't work because the shelter area is a little more flater. I have heard that gravel won't work because the horse/cow will push gravel in dirt and then you have no gravel plus horses don't do well in gravel without shoes on. I would really like to put cement down and make a little higher embankment in front to fend off some of the water. Does anyone have any ideas?

Can you post some pictures?? That might help get the wheels turning.

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28 Jun ’14 - 8:43 pm

going by the description, digging a trench across the uphill side and running it along the sides will be the easiest and quickest way, you can get some drainage pipe for about 45 dollars for a 100 foot roll

whisperinghopefarm

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28 Jun ’14 - 10:20 pm

yes I will have to dig out for a french drain literally 180 degrees around the run in. The water comes down so fast and so strong that rain is still going to go over it and into the run in. Actually I may do 2 french drains about 4 ft apart and that should take care of the problem. I think that I will do that first and then see if that fixes the problem. Thanks.

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28 Jun ’14 - 10:40 pm

could do a swale and put a hugelkultur bed in

whisperinghopefarm

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28 Jun ’14 - 11:06 pm

what is that?

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28 Jun ’14 - 11:32 pm

dig a trench and then build up a berm with the excavated soil, bury wood leaves etc in the berm, it will help absorb and divert the water at the same time and is a good planting medium