When you walk through a horse arena on a hot day, do you feel a longing for something cool and soothing? If so, that longing is based on a very real phenomenon known as “thermal stress.” As the temperature rises and falls throughout the day, the body experiences changes in blood flow and other indicators that indicate thermal stress. These changes can be uncomfortable and even harmful to humans and animals alike. To counteract the effects of thermal stress, owners should take steps to cool their facilities. One of the easiest and most effective ways to do this is by choosing appropriate footing materials. The right type of footing in an arena has the dual purpose of providing traction and reducing the risk of injury from slipping and falling on wet, muddy ground. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common types of footing materials used in horse arenas:

Sand

Sand is a naturally occurring product that is used as a type of footing material in horse arenas. Sand is generally used for outdoor and indoor ring floors, although it can also be used as a bedding material for some animals.Sand is cheap and easy to maintain, but it can be very dusty and can be tricky to clean. It is also heavy, making it difficult to build large arenas out of sand.Sand is a very porous material that allows water to evaporate through it very quickly. This makes sand a poor choice for an indoor arena because it can get very muddy very quickly. Sand is also not an ideal choice for outdoor arenas because it can be very hot and uncomfortable for animals to walk on.Sand is a great choice for outdoor arenas that are used only occasionally. It is also a good choice for open-air riding rings that don’t get very muddy.

Gravel

Gravel is a naturally occurring product that is used as a type of footing material in horse arenas. Gravel is generally used for outdoor and indoor ring floors, although it can also be used as a bedding material for some animals.Gravel is cheap and easy to maintain, but it can be very dusty and can be tricky to clean. It is also heavy, making it difficult to build large arenas out of gravel.Gravel is a very porous material that allows water to evaporate through it very quickly. This makes gravel a poor choice for an indoor arena because it can get very muddy very quickly. Gravel is also not an ideal choice for outdoor arenas because it can be very hot and uncomfortable for animals to walk on.Gravel is a great choice for outdoor arenas that are used only occasionally. It is also a good choice for open-air riding rings that don’t get very muddy.

Cobblestone

Cobblestone is a manufactured product that is used as a type of footing material in horse arenas. Cobblestone is generally used for outdoor and indoor ring floors, although it can also be used as a bedding material for some animals.Cobblestone is cheap and easy to maintain, but it can be very dusty and can be tricky to clean. It is also heavy, making it difficult to build large arenas out of cobblestone.Cobblestone is a very porous material that allows water to evaporate through it very quickly. This makes cobblestone a poor choice for an indoor arena because it can get very muddy very quickly. Cobblestone is also not an ideal choice for outdoor arenas because it can be very hot and uncomfortable for animals to walk on.Cobblestone is a great choice for outdoor arenas that are used only occasionally. It is also a good choice for open-air riding rings that don’t get very muddy.

Concrete

Concrete is a manufactured product that is used as a type of footing material in horse arenas. Concrete is generally used for outdoor and indoor ring floors, although it can also be used as a bedding material for some animals.Concrete is expensive and difficult to maintain, but it is very durable and long-lasting. It is also easy to clean and keep clean, making it a good choice for indoor arenas.Concrete is a very porous material that allows water to evaporate through it very quickly. This makes concrete a poor choice for an indoor arena because it can get very muddy very quickly.Concrete is a poor choice for outdoor arenas because it is very hot and uncomfortable for animals to walk on. It is also very difficult to clean and can be very messy.

Conclusion

Choosing the right footing material for your horse arena is important for a number of reasons. The right type of footing will help you avoid slipping and sliding when your horse is exercising, and it will also help to reduce the risk of injury. It is important to carefully consider the type of footing material that you choose to ensure that it is safe and effective for your horse.There are many different types of footing materials that can be used in horse arenas. Some of the most common ones are sand, gravel, cobblestone, and concrete. Each of these materials has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you will need to carefully consider which one is best for you.

Frequently Asked Question

The best surface for a horse arena is sand. The sand should be a medium, to coarse, sharp sand that has been cleaned (washed) so it becomes less compacted over time and give off less dust
Olympic Equestrian Arena surfaces tend to be made up of sand with a small percentage of polyester textile fibres.
Normally 8 - 12 centimeters of fine sand combined with a small amount of textile fibres and a sand additive will be sufficient for dressage or show jumping.
Olympic Equestrian Arena surfaces tend to be made up of sand with a small percentage of polyester textile fibres.