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  Discussion on Hard Arena, What To Do?
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Member:
Aannk

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 10, 2003 - 3:48 pm:

I board at a private barn. The owner of the place is not exactly the easiest person to suggest things to. She thinks she pretty much knows it all. Anyway, I fell off a few days ago, and in so doing, noticed our arena is ROCK HARD! I had noticed it was getting hard, but it is like going on rock. It is sand with I don't know what base (I think cement). We put new sand in last year about this time. I think the depth ranges from about 2 to 5 inches. Would dragging the arena deep do the trick, or do we have to add more sand again? It was hard to get the footing last year, but this year, I know someone who knows someone...... well you know.
Anyway, I guess my question is whether I should ask the owner to drag deep, or add some sand.
Thanks in advance,
Alicia
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Dec 11, 2003 - 6:10 am:

Dragging with a drag harrow set so that the spikes will till into the surface will certainly loosen it up. Whether you need other materials you won't know until you drag it.
DrO
Member:
Christos

Posted on Thursday, Dec 11, 2003 - 6:56 am:

2 to 5 inches of sand sounds little. You will have to rake it all the time so you don't get empty spots. I would add a couple of inches.
Do not drag so deep that you break the hard layer under the sand, it is necessary as a foundation for your arena.
If your sand is too hard even after dragging, or it does not stay springy for long, mix in whatever a local civil engineer would suggest. He should know materials available locally and their properties.
Pure sand is very difficult footing for the horse. It "holds" the hoof even when dry, has no give under a hoof landing flat but too much give to support breakover and is very abrasive.
What you mix in it also depends on the kind and intensity of work performed on it. I would think that 50% of any dirt that is somehow decent when wet should do it for most cases.
I have seen arenas improved with leather shreddings from a local factory and I ensure you it is the ultimate all-weather surface. Check around...
Member:
Aannk

Posted on Thursday, Dec 11, 2003 - 9:43 am:

Thank you both. Unfortunately, I do not have control of the arena, but I will make these suggestions. I don't think she will go for the non sand idea, I have already tried that many times, and it is too expensive for her to consider. I am looking for a new place, but have not had much luck. I hope the new sand will do in the mean time!
Thanks again!
Alicia
Member:
Heidih

Posted on Thursday, Dec 11, 2003 - 10:43 am:

At one of the barns where I board, they started mixing the wood shavings from the stalls (no manure) into the sand arena. It's made a huge difference. The shavings hold the moisture and keep the arena more fluffy. It's also a cheap way to add to the arena. They don't add any shavings that are too wet with urine, but the semi-dry ones.

They do drag it fairly often. It's a show and sale barn, so they want good footing to keep the horses legs healthy and to make a good impression on clients.

Good Luck.
Member:
Aannk

Posted on Thursday, Dec 11, 2003 - 11:05 am:

Wow, what a cool idea! I may suggest this!
Alicia
Member:
Penner

Posted on Thursday, Dec 11, 2003 - 2:02 pm:

Hi Alicia,
When I built our outdoor arena (360 ft x 120 ft), I read a lot about what to do.

This is what I read.
Al Dunning (reining) said he does 2 in of quarter minus granite + regular dirt on top of that + 2 in of sand topmost.
John Lyons I read does: 4 in of "Reject Sand".

Reject sand has/is coarse sand granules that is good & won't hold the water in like fine sand (picture a wet beach for the fine sand) does. Reject sand will let it drain out.

So what I did is: Harrowed up the hard dirt to about 5 in., & got rid of all the rocks.
Then added 4 in of reject sand on top. In time (3 weeks) the harrowed part settled as a harder foundation to about 2-3 in deep.

Our arena is great & we drag the arena about once a week. We use it for western speed events (roping, gymkhanas).
I also did my round pen like this.

Every 3 years, we add more sand as needed.

So you know how much sand to order, a rule of thumb is: 1 ton of sand covers 100 square feet, 2 inches deep.
Member:
Dres

Posted on Thursday, Dec 11, 2003 - 6:31 pm:

key word, the shavings hold moisture... so if this is an out door arena and you get a lot of rain.. it won't drain as nicely and depends on how much shavings are there can become slick..

Ann
Member:
Aannk

Posted on Friday, Dec 12, 2003 - 2:40 pm:

Penner,
Thanks for that summary. I thinkmy trainer is taking over the barn, and she will be more open than the owner. I am going to send her info about this, and links to rubber footing so she can get educated. I think rubber would be a good choice, as it claims to absorb impact. We jump at my barn, and landing is one of the most stressful things for a horse's body. I do 3 to 3'6", and I know that has got to be pretty tough on my horse's legs.
Ann,
I was warned that shavings are very dusty, and I remember a barn that I was at before having them, and that barn being very dusty. I don't think they will work after all.
Thanks all!!!
Alicia
Member:
Taxiridr

Posted on Saturday, Dec 13, 2003 - 8:12 am:

Comment about the wood chip idea: I boared at a barn that did this for thier indoor. The dust in the air was miserable even when they watered every day. Became hard for me to breathe; imagine what it was like for my poor horse. You looked like a coal miner after you got done, too! I have been at barns that have done dirt & sand with similar air quality (or lack there of) results. Breathing dusty air over a lifetime is terrible for you - just as well smoke a few pack a day and light one up for your horse too. My grandfather died of "farmer's lung" which was Emphasemia, but he never smoked, it was from breathing dust constantly on the farm as he worked over his lifetime.

Penny's idea sounds great!
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