Outdoor arena footing advice

countrygal2004 · 03-11-2006, 01:22 PM

Last summer/fall I made myself an outdoor arena that's 75' x 150'. Right now it is just grass Z(topsoil) with clay beneith. I am trying to figure out what is the best material to put in it and whether or not I have to remove the topsoil.

I know that sand is probably the best but can be very expensive (unaffordable for me). I live in Northwestern Ontario (near the Ontario/Minnesota border) and we get LOTS of precipitation...snow for 5-6 months of the year and a generous amount of rain in the summer. Is it possible the sand might wash away?

I read back a few months ago and there were some suggestions about shredded rubber...I've never heard of it before. Does anyone know where to find it and what the cost is?

My mom is currently in Florida and went to a horse show where they had wood chips as the footing. This could be very easily done here because I have unlimited access to the wood...all I would have to do is rent a chipper and fill the arena. Has anyone done this? If so, would you recommend it? Do you have to remove the topsoil and do you have to mix the chips with anything?

All responses are greatly appreciated. I can use all the help I can get.

Rebecca · 03-12-2006, 08:02 AM

Do not know any specific suppliers but this information was posted earlier in the forum.
It may help?

http://www.horsekeeping.com/horse-tr...-care-info.htm

Look in Facilities: Footing, PART I, II, III, and IV.

I regret I have no further information at this time.

Rocking Horse · 03-12-2006, 08:40 AM

Shredded rubber footing is very expensive, at least here.

A mixture of sand and clay works well, especially here, we get alot of rain...
Easily drains and easy to drag....

Lopin · 03-12-2006, 09:39 AM

I know some of the horseshows we go to, they lay down wood chips to warm up on, and it works fine. I'm not sure how it would be for permanent footing for an outdoor though....

We have an outdoor ring that is grass in the middle and we spread our manure around the edges. You can see what I mean in the picture. It works great, and it breaks up in no time and turns into really nice black dirt. We love it.

That would probably be your best and cheapest way.

**beth55051** · 03-12-2006, 07:57 PM

Yep, that's what I try to do in my round pen too. I live in east central Minnesota all clay and rocks here. I spread manure/shavings around the outside of my round pen during the winter, then when it's really wet and muddy in the spring the horses mix it in when they're worked in there and then when it's drier in the summer it stays softer than the straight clay that turns hard as cement. Do make sure that you don't put straight manure or any hay down. I make sure there are some shavings left in their, I also get wood chips from the company that clears the power line paths and lay that down so it can get mixed in too. Straight wood chips are okay in an indoor where it doesn't get wet and your horses are just going forward but they will get slippery outside or if you try to do roll backs, sudden stops or sharp turns.

EquineAlberta · 03-13-2006, 12:51 PM

If you have a nice grass ring, then a little layer of sand may be the most economical way to do it. You don't need much, just a about 0.5 cm depth all around.

They did that at the barn I used to ride at to make a last minute show ring, and that ring ended up being the best one there! When the weather was dry there wasn't enough sand to get dusty, the sand keeps the ground from being too hard, the grass holds the sand in place so it doesn't blow away, and when it is wet, the grass and sand help drain the water quicky (as lonly as it is properly landscaped).

Of course you have to mow it once and a while!

Hogs fuel and sand would be my second choice for an all weather arena, for cost effectiveness, with some road salt added in the winter to melt the snow. Hogs fuel is what wood chippers turn out, and is rougher/larger then shavings. It won't break down as fast as shavings, and shouldn't be as slippery. Hogs fuel is often used on part trails.

I would worry about splinters from it, but many barns up here use it for turn out pens, so they must not find it to be an issue.

karen2

countrygal2004 · 03-13-2006, 01:07 PM

Thanks for your suggestions. I have some work to do!!!

03-11-2006, 01:22 PM
countrygal2004 Halter broke Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Fort Frances, Ontario Posts: 60	Outdoor arena footing advice Last summer/fall I made myself an outdoor arena that's 75' x 150'. Right now it is just grass Z(topsoil) with clay beneith. I am trying to figure out what is the best material to put in it and whether or not I have to remove the topsoil. I know that sand is probably the best but can be very expensive (unaffordable for me). I live in Northwestern Ontario (near the Ontario/Minnesota border) and we get LOTS of precipitation...snow for 5-6 months of the year and a generous amount of rain in the summer. Is it possible the sand might wash away? I read back a few months ago and there were some suggestions about shredded rubber...I've never heard of it before. Does anyone know where to find it and what the cost is? My mom is currently in Florida and went to a horse show where they had wood chips as the footing. This could be very easily done here because I have unlimited access to the wood...all I would have to do is rent a chipper and fill the arena. Has anyone done this? If so, would you recommend it? Do you have to remove the topsoil and do you have to mix the chips with anything? All responses are greatly appreciated. I can use all the help I can get.

03-12-2006, 08:02 AM
Rebecca Started Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: East Texas Posts: 2,800	Do not know any specific suppliers but this information was posted earlier in the forum. It may help? http://www.horsekeeping.com/horse-tr...-care-info.htm Look in Facilities: Footing, PART I, II, III, and IV. I regret I have no further information at this time.

03-12-2006, 08:40 AM
Rocking Horse Started Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,367	Shredded rubber footing is very expensive, at least here. A mixture of sand and clay works well, especially here, we get alot of rain... Easily drains and easy to drag.... __________________ ~ Too many freaks, not enough circuses ~

03-12-2006, 09:39 AM
Lopin Coming two Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Home of Brett Favre Posts: 1,723	I know some of the horseshows we go to, they lay down wood chips to warm up on, and it works fine. I'm not sure how it would be for permanent footing for an outdoor though.... We have an outdoor ring that is grass in the middle and we spread our manure around the edges. You can see what I mean in the picture. It works great, and it breaks up in no time and turns into really nice black dirt. We love it. That would probably be your best and cheapest way. __________________ Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.

03-12-2006, 07:57 PM
beth55051 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: East Central Minnesota Posts: 4,867	Yep, that's what I try to do in my round pen too. I live in east central Minnesota all clay and rocks here. I spread manure/shavings around the outside of my round pen during the winter, then when it's really wet and muddy in the spring the horses mix it in when they're worked in there and then when it's drier in the summer it stays softer than the straight clay that turns hard as cement. Do make sure that you don't put straight manure or any hay down. I make sure there are some shavings left in their, I also get wood chips from the company that clears the power line paths and lay that down so it can get mixed in too. Straight wood chips are okay in an indoor where it doesn't get wet and your horses are just going forward but they will get slippery outside or if you try to do roll backs, sudden stops or sharp turns. __________________ Do not mind anything that anyone tells you about anyone else. Judge everyone and everything for yourself.

03-13-2006, 12:51 PM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,680	If you have a nice grass ring, then a little layer of sand may be the most economical way to do it. You don't need much, just a about 0.5 cm depth all around. They did that at the barn I used to ride at to make a last minute show ring, and that ring ended up being the best one there! When the weather was dry there wasn't enough sand to get dusty, the sand keeps the ground from being too hard, the grass holds the sand in place so it doesn't blow away, and when it is wet, the grass and sand help drain the water quicky (as lonly as it is properly landscaped). Of course you have to mow it once and a while! Hogs fuel and sand would be my second choice for an all weather arena, for cost effectiveness, with some road salt added in the winter to melt the snow. Hogs fuel is what wood chippers turn out, and is rougher/larger then shavings. It won't break down as fast as shavings, and shouldn't be as slippery. Hogs fuel is often used on part trails. I would worry about splinters from it, but many barns up here use it for turn out pens, so they must not find it to be an issue. karen2 __________________ Hillside Stable, Ardrossan, AB CHT Horse Stories!

03-13-2006, 01:07 PM
countrygal2004 Halter broke Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Fort Frances, Ontario Posts: 60	Thanks for your suggestions. I have some work to do!!!