In our July issue, we explore what horses might want in arena footing. Now
we'd like to know what you think.  What sort of footing do you have in your
riding arena? What do you like best about it? What don't you like? If you could
have any type of footing, what would you choose?

I would love to have an arena with a sand/textile combination. Right now, one of the barns I ride at has turf, which is very hard and unforgiving to the horses' legs, and the other barn has a very poorly planned/maintained sand arena (never watered or dragged, etc.).

The arenas at Palm Beach International Equestrian center are a combination of sand and felt, and it's amazing footing that drains very well. It's expensive, but certainly worth the investment. Now, if I could just convince the barn owners of the same!

After seeing it in use, I would choose the new high tech blended footing which is extremely expensive, but I think would give many years of comfortable riding.  It is also energy efficient since it needs just a little water.

I sampled one of the new blends at a recent horse show, and I, too, was extremely impressed. You could make a hand imprint in it and watch the material re-level itself within a few seconds. 

If anyone is considering this option, be sure to take into consideration the cost to prepare your arena for this type of footing. I understand there are some additional costs involved. 

 

Dee McVicker:

If anyone is considering this option, be sure to take into consideration the cost to prepare your arena for this type of footing. I understand there are some additional costs involved. 

Absolutely. There are several layers that go down, not just the one. I know someone who got two arenas done and it was somewhere around 80 or 100 thousand dollars.

I really enjoy the recycled tire "rubber mulch" footing that's mixed with sand, or dirt or whatever. Around here, the state will sometimes give barns a grant for using it as their footing, making it a tad bit more affordable. It doesn't have to be taken care of quite as meticulously as sand, which is horrible when not maintained, and it is easier in a fall (haha, I have tested both types of footing out in this category.)