Introduction to HoofGrid equine footing and flooring grid systems

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=116 BGCOLOR="#CC3333" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="18ee0741ddubqm.jpg"> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="900" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP ROWSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 2 ><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="1e21c740.jpg" border=0 width="284" height="116" ALT="HoofGrid, the original German-engineered "no more mud, ever" grid system for horse paddocks, runouts, turnouts, dry lots, arenas, stalls, barns and aisles." ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP ROWSPAN=2 WIDTH="616"><div> <B> </B><A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/index.ht"><B>Home</B></A><B>  || </B><A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/contact_us.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/contact_"><B>Contact Us</B></A><B>  ||  </B><A HREF="javascript:history.back()" TARGET="_top" TITLE="javascript:history.back()"><B>«Back</B></A><B> ||  </B><A HREF="index_m.htm" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Introduction to HoofGrid equine footing "><I><B>TOP</B></I></A><I><B> </B></I><B> ||  </B><A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/hoofgrid_product_requests.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/hoofgrid"><B>Next>></B></A><B> </B></div> <div> <B>Introduction to HoofGrid | </B><A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/hoofgrid_product_requests.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/hoofgrid"><B>HoofGrid Product Info Requests</B></A><B> | </B><A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/horse_riding_arena_design_footing_flooring.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/horse_ri"><B>Riding Arena Design - Footing and Flooring Products</B></A><B> </B><B>| </B><A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/hoofgrid_proequus_european_references.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/hoofgrid"><B>Other European References</B></A><B> | </B><A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/hoofgrid_info_and_brochures.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/hoofgrid"><B>HOOFGRID INFO and Brochures</B></A><B> | </B><A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/hoofgrid_demonstration_photos.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/hoofgrid"><B>HoofGrid Demonstration Photos</B></A><B> | </B><A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/nonequine_other_uses_of_stabiligrid_homegrid_versigrid.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/nonequin"><B>Some other uses of HoofGrid, HomeGrid and StabiliGrid</B></A><B> | </B><A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/stabiligrid_commercial_applications.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/stabilig"><B>StabiliGrid Commercial applications</B></A><B> | </B><A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/stabiligrid_grass_driveway_simple_installation.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/stabilig"><B>StabiliGrid - Grass Driveway - Simple Installation</B></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=364 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="2cc1e093.png"> <div> <I><B>Browser Support »</B></I><B> </B><A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/no-frames/index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/no-frame"><B>For a No-Frames website Click Here</B></A></div> <div> <I><B>New:  </B></I><A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/hoofgrid_for_cattle_breeders_dairy_operations.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/hoofgrid"><I><B>HoofGrid for Cattle Feeders and Cattle Feedlot Operations, Dairies, and other heavy stock</B></I></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/turftrack_grasstrack_horse_race_strathayr.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/turftrac">TurfTrack Grass track horse racetracks</A> <A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/turftrack_video.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/turftrac">+ Video</A></div> <div> An Introduction to HoofGrid equine footing and flooring grid systems</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="6" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="831" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#CC3333" BORDERCOLORDARK="#CC3333" FRAME="HSIDES" RULES="ROWS" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 53 WIDTH="301"><div> <I><B>HoofGrid and HoofGrid HD - the original equestrian footing & flooring grid system -</B></I></div> <div> permanently solves your muddy paddocks problems.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 WIDTH="518"><div> The most successful soil stabilization system in Europe, widely tested and applied worldwide for years, is now available to the American livestock and equine industries.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 286 ><NOBR><div> <I><B>The setup . . .</B></I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><IMG SRC="2c648db0.png" border=0 width="328" height="219" ALT="HoofGrid Horse Footing and Flooring Grids. Load-bearing capacity - up to 35 tons / square foot." ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></div> <div> <I><B>Certified LOAD = 22.45 Tons / axle</B></I></div> <div> (resistance to pressure at the surface = +35 tons / ft²)</div> <bR> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <I><B>The problem . . .</B></I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="2c766f30.png" border=0 width="358" height="243" ALT="Permanent Muddy Paddocks Solutions. No more muddy paddocks, turnouts or drylots. Ever!" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <I>No more muddy paddocks, turnouts or drylots. </I><I><B> Ever!</B></I></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=3 HEIGHT= 33 WIDTH="819"><div> <I><B>How it works . . .</B></I><B>  </B> Working on the ‘snowshoe principle,’ the grids disperse the weight of the stock over a larger surface area (effectively, 689 square inches for a four-legged animal).</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP ROWSPAN=3 HEIGHT= 71 ><NOBR><div> <I><B>The solution . . .</B></I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="2c83cd80.png" border=0 width="316" height="216" ALT="The solution to muddy paddocks - HoofGrid, Perfect paddocks all year round." ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <I><B>Perfect paddocks all year round.</B></I></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> <I><B>How strong was that?</B></I>  </div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="351"><div> During installation, maintenance, or normal usage, earthmoving equipment, tractors, steamrollers or fully loaded dump trucks may be driven on top of the grids.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="167"><bR> <div> <I><B>Because the entire systems interlocks,</B></I></div> <bR> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="351"><div> for the horse or steer to sink into the mud, theoretically it would need to weigh about 160,000 lbs. or more.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="167"><div> <I><B>Permanently retire from your paddock improvement career,</B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CCFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><I><B> </B></I></FONT></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="351"><div> and forever forget the <I><B>‘spread 6-12 inches of gravel and replace regularly’ </B></I>system.<I><B> </B></I>The grids permanently separate the top layer from the ground sub-base, preventing intermingling of the layers.  In many conditions,<I><B> no foundation work is required. </B></I> In the rest, much less stone is required, and <I><B>never needs replaced!</B></I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 51 WIDTH="301"><div> <I><B>Strong and flexible!</B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CCFFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 WIDTH="518"><div>  The system is manufactured from reinforced PE (Polyethylene).  It is able to withstand climate extremes from -58° to +180° Fahrenheit<I><B> while remaining flexible.</B></I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 246 ><NOBR><bR> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="2c916c30.png" border=0 width="278" height="195" ALT="No special equipment required, often only a one-man-job, when installing HoofGrid in horse turnouts." ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <div> <I><B>No special equipment required,</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Often only a one-man-job.</B></I></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="167"><div> <A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/Hoof_Grid_equine_footing_flooring_uses.pdf" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/Hoof_Grid_equine_">HoofGrid</A><A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/Hoof_Grid_equine_footing_flooring_uses.pdf" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/Hoof_Grid_equine_"> or</A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CCFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/Hoof_Grid_equine_footing_flooring_uses.pdf" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/Hoof_Grid_equine_"><I> </I></A></FONT><A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/Hoof_Grid_equine_footing_flooring_uses.pdf" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/Hoof_Grid_equine_">Heavy</A><A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/Hoof_Grid_equine_footing_flooring_uses.pdf" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/Hoof_Grid_equine_"> </A><A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/Hoof_Grid_equine_footing_flooring_uses.pdf" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/Hoof_Grid_equine_">Duty HoofGridHD ?</A></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Data Sheets etc:</B></I></div> <div> Material & Specifications Data Sheets, etc.</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/StabiliGrid_HoofGrid-HD_specifications.pdf" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/StabiliGrid_HoofG"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">HoofGrid HD - 5 cm Grid</A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/HomeGrid_HoofGrid_specifications.pdf" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/HomeGrid_HoofGrid"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">HoofGrid -3 cm Grid</A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/HoofGrid_Trifold.pdf" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/HoofGrid_Trifold."><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">TriFold Brochure</A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/leasing_financing.html" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/leasing_financing"><I><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c8ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Lease-To-Own Application Form</B></I></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="351"><div> <I><B>Hoof-Grid</B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CCFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>: </B></I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CCFFFF" FACE="Arial" >1/3 meter square X 3 cm. High</FONT></div> <div>      Load-bearing capacity 15.36 tons / sq ft*</div> <div> <I><B>HoofGrid HD</B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CCFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>:</B></I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CCFFFF" FACE="Arial" > 1/3 meter square X 5 cm. High</FONT></div> <div>            Load-bearing capacity 35.84 tons / sq ft*</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> (*When correctly installed. For all practical purposes, stock cannot damage <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CCFFFF" FACE="BankGothic Md BT" >Hoof-Grid</FONT> without using power tools ) </div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CCFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>For most equestrian applications</B></I></FONT> the standard <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CCFFFF" FACE="BankGothic Md BT" >Hoof-Grid</FONT> is sufficient.  Some climates may require <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CCFFFF" FACE="BankGothic Md BT" >HoofGrid HD</FONT>.  In those cases requiring heavy-duty grids, the extra cost per units is often offset by the decreased:  foundation requirements (sub-base), top layer and maintenance costs.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/hoofgrid_for_cattle_breeders_dairy_operations.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/hoofgrid"><I><B>HoofGrid for Dairy and Cattle Feeders >></B></I></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CCFFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=3 HEIGHT= 32 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/hoofgrid_info_and_brochures.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/hoofgrid"><I><B>HoofGrid Installation Info, Brochures, Instructions, Photos and Video</B></I></A><I><B>  || </B></I><A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/hoofgrid_proequus_european_references.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/hoofgrid/hoofgrid"><I><B>Letters of Recommendation </B></I></A><I><B> || </B></I><A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk5CWKt29Cc" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk5CWKt29"><I><B>HoofGrid on YouTube</B></I></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.ecoterr.com/piercecd" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.ecoterr.com/piercecd"><I><B>How to Calculate HUA flow rates for Cattle, Horses or other stock </B></I></A><I><B> (Heavy Use Areas) || </B></I></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=3 HEIGHT= 29 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="#read_an_article_about_hoofgrid" TITLE="Introduction to HoofGrid equine footing "><I><B>Read an article</B></I></A> written about the ECO-TERR grid systems being used to solve muddy paddock problems in Europe.</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <A NAME="read_an_article_about_hoofgrid"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>[ED. NOTE: Translation of <A HREF="#original_german_text" TITLE="Introduction to HoofGrid equine footing ">original German Text</A> by Mark Rector,<I><B> who is not a professional translator. </B></I></div> <div>  If errors are found please <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript">  </script></FONT>.  ~mar]</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="702" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 1501 WIDTH="696"><div> <I><B>LETTER OF THANKS AND INFORMATION, FROM A  SATISFIED CUSTOMER.</B></I></div> <div> <I>Hello Mr. Laengle,</I></div> <div> The following photos and text were sent by Mr. Hermann Zitz, to the Managing Director of the <I>Maschinenrings  Lungau</I>, which report was submitted to <I>"Maschinenrings  Lungau"</I> journal.</div> <bR> <div> As you may see from the picutres of the tractor treads (Published November, 2002), the new surface is extremely stable and durable.  The tractor was loaded with approximately 2,200 pounds in the frontloader.</div> <div> ===============================</div> <div> Greetings From Hr. Hermann Zitz</div> <div> A-5580</div> <div> Unternberg, Salzburg</div> <div> TO: Managing Director, <I>Maschinenrings  Lungau</I> (Salzburg).</div> <div> ATTACHMENT:  Pictures of the turnout, and installation of the <I><B>EcoRaster</B></I> Polyethylene Grid System in a heavily used cattle turnout.</div> <bR> <div> For many years I have tried different products, in an attempt to make the turnout more animal-firendly to some extent, without resorting to using concrete. During dry periods there was never a problem, but whenever it rained the cows were again knee-dep in mud.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Other surface products and methods I have tried:</B></I>  Applying Limestone chips as a sub-base, underneath either hogfuel or tree bark top layer, or partly mixed sawdust mixtures and sand - in various combinations.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Initially, the above worked well </B></I>(except when using only hogfuel wood chips, which resulted in  damage to the cattle's hooves).  However, after only two months the surface was already intermingled with the soil underneath.</div> <bR> <div> The maintenance of the surface was very labor intensive.  This entailed largely manual labor, only using mechanical methods during the excavation and construction using the materials listed above.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>During the previous year in November</B></I> I had seen orders of a lattice-like soil reinforcement system.   In a lightning-fast action (on the last day of the blustery storm season) I decided to install the honeycomb-like grids.   The condition of the existing sub-base left much to be desired.   To install the system, all that I performed was to clear the fouled soil with a tractor, while filling in a few of the deeper depressions in the turnout with sand. I then layed the grids, filled and covered them with sand, and lightly compacted them into place - using a vibrating plate to consolidate the installation.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>My first experience with the grids:</B></I>  The cattle quickly accepted the new turnout,<I><B> particularly during rainy or wet weather.</B></I>  The surface of the turnout dries much faster now, and can now be cleaned very easily and thoroughly.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Disadvantage from today's pespective:</B></I>  Wherever large stoneswere in the ground before the installation creating holes in the soil, there are now slight depressions.  However, this is not a great hindrance or drawback.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>The Benefits of this installation are:</B></I></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f0ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">a reliably animal-friendly ground condition (90 % of the surface appears as natural soil),</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f0ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">the fast and easy installation of the system (no need to "pack a winter suit case" - or "to allow for the freeze depth of the soil during the winter"),</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f0ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">the cattle prefer and quickly accept the treated area, and</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f0ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">its rainfall absorption ability due to its water-permeable nature.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f0ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Finally, the possibility of returning the area to its original state, should the turnout no longer be needed.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>This year I have installed another larger turnout area:</B></I></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f0ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">being more careful in the ground preparation and the installation of the grids this time.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f0ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Using a small excavating tractor, I first leveled the surface.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f0ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">I built up the ground using approximately 10 cm. of limestone ships, and then lightly compacted this foundation.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f0ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">On top of this consolidated surface I layed the grid system, and then filled it with unwashed sand and rolled it again.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f0ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">I have found that the sand should have a good amount of common soil, allowing it to bind together better than sand alone.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Total time required for this second installation:</B></I></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f0ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Area size of the installation - 150 m2 soil reinforcement grids (approximately 1,600 square feet).</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f0ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">2 hours: Leveling and rolling the foundation, using two standard Mini-excavators.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f0ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">3 hours: Laying and assembling the grids.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f0ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">2 hours: Filling grids with sand and applying the top layer, and rolling it a last time.</div> <div> <I><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f0ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">7 hours  - Total time required.</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Maintenance requirements:</B></I></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f0ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Based upon need.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f0ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Usually about once per week.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f0ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Using a small tractor, upon which I employ a "cut-apart" front loader.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a73007700f0ffffcc00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">In this way maintaining an angle on the frontloader, using the tractor is well adapted to performing the cleanup while preserving the grids.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <<A HREF="index_m.htm" TITLE="Introduction to HoofGrid equine footing "><I><B><U>TOP</U></B></I></A>></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="5" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="714" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#CC6600" BORDERCOLORDARK="#990000" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 1365 WIDTH="696"><div> <I> <A NAME="original_german_text"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></I><I>Comments about </I><I>HoofGrid</I><I>, by an Austrian Client Cattleman:</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>(in the original German Text)</I></div> <bR> <div> <B>DANKSCHREIBEN UND INFORMATION VON EINEM ZUFRIEDENEN KUNDEN!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Hallo Hr. L</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>ngle,</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Diese Fotos und folgender Text wurde an den Gesch</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>ftsf</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ü</B></FONT><B>hrer des Maschinenringes Lungau f</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ü</B></FONT><B>r einen Bericht in der Maschinenringzeitung geschickt.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Auf den Bildern auf denen die Traktorspuren zu sehen sind sieht man sehr gut wie stabil die befestigte Fl</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>che ist. (Verlegung November 2002) Traktor war mit ca. 1000 kg am Frontlader beladen.  Gru</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ß</B></FONT><B> Hermann Zitz A-5580 Unternberg (Salzburg</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Dies ein Schreiben von mir an den Gesch</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>ftsf</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ü</B></FONT><B>hrer des Maschinenrings Lungau (Salzburg)</B></div> <bR> <div> Bilder vom Auslauf; Befestigung des <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma" ><B>st</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma" ><B>ndig </B></FONT>begangenen Rinderauslaufes mit <I><B>EcoRaster</B></I> Kunststoffbodenwaben.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma" >Jahrelang habe ich mit verschiedenen Produkten probiert den Auslauf </FONT><B>einigerma</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ß</B></FONT><B>en</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma" > Tierfreundlich, ohne Beton, zu befestigen. In Trockenperioden war das kein Problem, wenn es dann ein bisschen mehr geregnet hat standen die </FONT><B>K</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ü</B></FONT><B>he</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma" > wieder </FONT><B>Kn</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ö</B></FONT><B>cheltief</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma" > im Dreck.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma" >Probiert habe ich unter anderen: Untergrundbefestigung mit Kalksteinbruch, </FONT><B>dar</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ü</B></FONT><B>ber </B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma" >Hackschnitzel oder </FONT><B>L</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>rchenrinde, teilweise mit S</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>gesp</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>nen vermischt, Sand.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Anfangs war alles in Ordnung (au</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ß</B></FONT><B>er reine Hackschnitzel, wischenklauenverletzungen) aber nach ein bis zwei Monaten wieder nur tiefer Boden. Der Pflegeaufwand der Auslauffl</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>che war sehr zeitintensiv. Gr</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>öß</B></FONT><B>tenteils in Handarbeit, maschinell konnte nur eine Komplettr</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>umung mit anschlie</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ß</B></FONT><B>endem Neuaufbau mit oben erw</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>hnten Materialien durchgef</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ü</B></FONT><B>hrt werden.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Voriges Jahr im November habe ich dieses o.a. Rasengitter gesehen und bestellt. In einer Blitzaktion (letzten Tag des F</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ö</B></FONT><B>nsturmes) habe ich dann diese Waben verlegt. Die Bearbeitung des Untergrundes lie</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ß</B></FONT><B> zu w</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ü</B></FONT><B>nschen </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ü</B></FONT><B>brig. Ich habe nur den Dreck mit dem Traktor abger</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>umt, ein paar tiefere L</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ö</B></FONT><B>cher mit Sand aufgef</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ü</B></FONT><B>llt, dar</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ü</B></FONT><B>ber das Gitter gelegt und mit Sand ausgef</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ü</B></FONT><B>llt und mit einer R</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ü</B></FONT><B>ttelplatte ein wenig verdichtet.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Erste Erfahrung: Die Rinder haben diesen Teil der Auslauffl</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>che, speziell bei nassem Wetter, gut angenommen. Fl</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>che trocknet schneller. Kann gut ger</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>umt werden.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Nachteil aus heutiger Sicht: Dort wo Steine im Untergrund sind kleine W</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ö</B></FONT><B>lbungen, dort wo die Dreckl</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ö</B></FONT><B>cher sind kleine Senkungen. Dies ist aber nicht sonderlich st</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ö</B></FONT><B>rend.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Der Vorteil dieser Befestigung liegt sicher in der Tierfreundlichen Bodenbeschaffenheit (9o % der Auftrittsfl</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>che Naturboden) in der schnellen Herstellung (kein Frostkoffer notwendig) der guten Anpassung an das Gel</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>nde und der Wasseraufnahmef</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>higkeit. Auch besteht die M</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ö</B></FONT><B>glichkeit des Begr</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ü</B></FONT><B>nens sollte der Auslauf nicht mehr ben</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ö</B></FONT><B>tigt werden.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Heuer habe ich noch eine gr</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>öß</B></FONT><B>ere Fl</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>che befestigt wobei ich den Untergrund sorgf</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>ltiger hergerichtet habe.  Mit einem Minibagger habe ich die Fl</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>che planiert und ca. 10 cm Kalksteinbruch aufgesch</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ü</B></FONT><B>ttet und niedergewalzt. Auf dieser verdichteten Fl</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>che habe ich das Gitter verlegt mit ungewaschenem Sand aufgef</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ü</B></FONT><B>llt und noch einmal gewalzt. Der Sand sollte einen gewissen Erdanteil haben damit er</B></div> <div> <B>besser bindet.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Zus</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>tzlicher Verlegetip: Gitter auf Palette mit Wasser bespritzen. Wenn die Gitter nass sind kann man sie wesentlich schneller und mit weniger Kraftaufwand zusammen stecken bzw. auseinander nehmen.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Zeitaufwand f</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ü</B></FONT><B>r die 150 m2 Bodenwaben: 2 Std. Minibagger, 2 Std. f</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ü</B></FONT><B>r Planie u. walzen, 3 Std. f</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ü</B></FONT><B>r Gitterverlegung und nochmals 2 Std. f</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ü</B></FONT><B>rs Sanden u. walzen.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Die Reinigung erfolgt, je nach Bedarf, ca. 1x w</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ö</B></FONT><B>chentlich mittels Hoftrac auf dem ich einen auseinandergeschnittenen Laderreifen montiert habe. Dieses Schubschild passt sich dem Gel</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Tahoma CE" ><B>ä</B></FONT><B>nde sehr gut an und schont das Gitter.</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <<A HREF="index_m.htm" TITLE="Introduction to HoofGrid equine footing "><I><B><U>TOP</U></B></I></A>></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>