Additive to stabilze outdoor aren footing?

[Maude]

I have a 200 x 80 outdoor arena with sand and rubber. When it is dry, the sand gives way too much under the horses feet. Kinda like beach sand, but not that deep. When the arena is wet, it is awesome and the horses can get a grip into the footing. I have students come for lessons and there is never an issue, but my dressage horse has trouble when the footing is dry. Has anyone experienced this and if so, what did you use to stabilize your footing so it has more bite. I need to add something to keep the footing from giving when the horse pushes off against it. Footing experts-your opinions and solicitations are welcome. I cannot afford to replace my footing but don't want to ride my one horse in the arena until I do something. The sand has broken down a bit too. It was a screened and washed angular sand, but now is rounder. The footing was installed in 2000. Thanks guys.

[Lieslot]

I have the exact same problem. Curious to see if it can be fixed at all.
I started thinking about watering it down twice a week.

I often wondered if I had too much footing, but can't really be, because when my horses canters or slams around, you can actually see areas where the compacted screening base comes through.

After rain it rides great, when dry my guy struggles with his stiffles when riding in it.
I have heard complaints from other barns that used the same ringbuilder. They were jumper barns and the footing moved too much when taking off or landing. I only do dressage, but nevertheless I find it bothersome.

I know one of those jumper barns added geo flex - geo textile (don't know precise name) or so, from Europe. But my fear is that if I add to it, I will have too much material and it'll make it even heavier. :confused:

[Dune]

Water is your friend.

[Maude]

Yes Dune, water IS my friend. Unfortunately, we have a well, the arena is at the top of the hill, and I don't have a water truck or way to water it. I've actually thought of running a hose up the hill and installing some sort of sprinkler thingy to water the arena, but I would have to use an awful lot of water and the system would be costly I believe. I can't believe that there isn't some product that I could use. I've heard that adding sawdust helps hold the moisture in longer, but then I imagine it would get dusty.

[Watermark Farm]

I have a large outdoor all weather and have had exactly the same issue as you --- the footing is great in winter and too loose in summer. I built this newer arena with this grandiose idea that if I put in the right footing, I would not have to water much, so I did not have proper irrigation installed and have been using hoses. Boy, have I learned my lesson! When you list your footing, it should go something like this: sand, rubber, birdseye, water.

I had an arena consult last week in preparation for ordering more material to "fix" my looseness issue. The guy was horrified how dry my arena was!!!. He made a lot of good points about water and the lack of it of my arena: MOISTURE IS A VITAL COMPONENT OF YOUR FOOTING, I learned, as much as sand, rubber, etc. It acts as a lubricant between footing particles and reduces breakdown, which makes your footing last longer and have less dust. It ads tension to the footing mix. It also lessens the grinding of footing against the base, which over time, and in high-traffic areas (rail), can wear the top of the base layer and cause some breakdown, even if you are diligent about maintenence.

After my "talking to" by the footing guy (why didn't my arena contractor have this chat with me?), I am having some decent sprinklers installed. I feel like a real fool that I spent nearly $60k building an arena, but only a few hundred dollars on makeshift irrigation, ie horses and a few spigots.

Other options besides a water truck are things like a water reel. As I found, just about anything is cheaper than the $5k in footing I was about to order...

[Maude]

WF, What ype of an irrigation system are you installing? Can you explain the particulars, how to keep the moisture from freezing, how much it will cost and contact information? I live in SE Pa, but maybe your "person" could put me in touch with someone out this way. Thanks!

[Lieslot]

Just another question.
Ages ago I remember some crazy barn owner had their dusty ring fixed by spreading or mixing oil into the sand.
Anyone have any thoughts on that?
If so what type of oil would one use and how to get this mixed in.

[Simkie]

Just another question.
Ages ago I remember some crazy barn owner had their dusty ring fixed by spreading or mixing oil into the sand.
Anyone have any thoughts on that?
If so what type of oil would one use and how to get this mixed in.

Mineral oil, and it's sprayed on. It makes for very little dust, but a dirty arena that sticks to everything.

[Lieslot]

Hmmm, what's the least of two evils, messy sticky ring but better to ride on or dry, loose, dusty ring but harder for the horses to work in.
Not asking you the question however ;), just pondering out loud.

I just can't justify spending anymore on this ring then we've already done at present, so if mineral oil were to make a difference, my guess is, it wouldn't be all that expensive.
I've got to look into that.
Winter on our doorstep, so I'll be fine for the next few months, but I need to think of something this spring.

((Hej Simkie, you seem to have answers for all my questions lately :lol:, great, thanking you!!!!))

[Fantastic]

The fix is easier and cheaper than you may think. You have the basic ingredients for a good arena. No need to replace your footing! You just need to do a little more and you will have an excellent arena.

So I have an outdoor and an indoor. They each have different types on sand, different types of fiber, and different types of rubber. The fiber will really help in stabilizing the sand and will hold in moisture and reduce dust. It kiind of acts like a root system and interlocks. I used a biodegradable oil based dust control liquid in the indoor. I soaked into the sand and coated it. No dust at all, but it was bone dry and I didn't like it at all. So I now use water and it's wonderful.

My outdoor is also uphill from the well. I have 2 sprinklers per raintree zone for a total of 10 sprinklers. Installed myself. Sprinklers are so easy - just set timers and walk away. For the indoor I bought a used 500 g water trailer. Check craigslist or your local rental company for used trailers. Not sure if I'll ever do sprinklers in the indoor. Afraid they might leak from the ceiling or if mounted on the wall, then leak on the kickwall.

Where are you located?

[Maude]

I am in Southeatern PA. I do know of someone who has had oil(it is some sort of vegetable oil base) put in their indoor along with EuroFelt which is carpet fibers. My arena doen't get much traffic, so it is hard to justify spending alot of money on barrels of oil, eurofelt etc. Does anyone know what this stuff costs. Also seems like quite a task to water the arena each day for only a couple of horses. Please, I'm open to suggestions. Footing companies are welcome to respond. I need to have a procedure done on my horse for a suspensory injury and have to keep her on stall rest with daily walking as rehab. I don't have access to hacking and won't put my horse through this procedure only to take her in footing that has too much give. I spent so much time and money trying to make the arena primo when I built it. As I said before, my students that come for lessons have no problem with their horses in the footing. But, my horse with a history of a suspensory injury does not do well in it when it's dry. Big sigh...

[Watermark Farm]

Maude, what we think we will do is install permanent rainbird sprinklers on a timer system. Since this is a home arena which gets only 2-3 rides a day at most, I was told I could water 1-2 times in summer for adequate moisture. Keep in mind that here in CA, it does not rain from May-October, so we have zero moisture in summer.

It being CA, we don't have to deal with frozen ground/footing, so that's not even discussed. Not sure what to tell you there. My main winter issue is rain, because we get tons of it, so need fast drainage (hence my coarse mix). I would drain and shut system off once the rainy season starts.

After reading this thread, however, I am thinking that perhaps I should look at a small pull-behind water trailer. Since I don't need to water daily, that might just do the trick.

Have you contacted Footing Unlimited or an east coast footing dealer or arena contractor. It is worth the money to hire someone to come out and look at your site.

How deep is your footing? When I don't drag for a week and ride, I can feel a huge difference as my horse goes through thick (4") spots. The footing is usually a uniform 2.5 to 3" max. It's amazing what an inch can do.

Fantastic, I enjoyed reading your post about your arenas. Very informative.