Yo Dennis,
Best I ever saw I did myself! If you are digging out a foot or more of rubbish, the solution is simple, because you start with drainage, perforated schedule 40 plastic pipe, 4 inch diameter, bedded in a foot or so of number 57 crushed limestone, topped with a high quality rubber mat, which should require no maintenance for 20 years or more, and won't irritate your horses. Only maintenance required is to take up mat every year or two to rake the crushed limestone level again. A little expensive, but near-zero maintenance saves the day. A few holes drilled in the mat will help drainage, keep your barn smelling fresh, minimize flies, etc. My barn is ten years old, and dry as a bone. I use cedar sawdust from a local mill for a light coat of bedding, and a fine toothed plastic fork lets you pick up solids and wet spots, and minize bedding costs. I was an older man when I designed and built this barn, and have never been sorry, as my barn is always presentable with just the pass of a broon down the aisle. Hope it all works for you...
