This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Horse Care » Horse Pasture, Fencing, Barns » Bedding, Flooring, and Footing for Horses »
  Discussion on Oiled / Waxed Arena and Outdoor Ring Footing
Author Message
New Member:
sunster

Posted on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 - 7:47 pm:

Does anyone have any experience with this type of footing? Specifically in terms of breathing problems associated with working your horse on it? The footing is wonderful and completely dust free, but there is an oil type smell that comes up when it's under a hot sun and my horse often shows some exercise intolerance when we work on it on a hot day. Any thoughts?
Member:
mrose

Posted on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 - 8:25 pm:

Depending on the type of oil, I would think it very possible it could be causing some problems, something I've never thought of before. I'm sure some horses might be more sensitive to such things than others just like some people are.

Do you know what kind of oil was used? I've heard good things about this type of footing, but never gave a thought to any smell that might come from it. We are in the process of building an indoor arena and have been pondering footing materials etc. I'm asthmatic, and sure don't want to use anything that would irritate.
Member:
ekaufman

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 - 12:12 am:

I haven't heard anything about this, but don't know how well the issue has been studied. Does your horse generally tolerate heat well? Is there any possibility that his issues are not related to the footing? If you are certain the exercise intolerance is specific to the arena footing, I would be very interested in what sort of oil was used.

I use mineral oil in my indoor, and we have many fewer problems with that than we did with plain sand.
New Member:
starlett

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 - 8:03 am:

How do you obtain mineral oil in enough quantity to use it in your arena. I have had the most success at keeping dust down with Magnesium chloride. It is not corrosive and easily purchased
as the high priced de-icer (natural & safe for foliage) at stores like Home Depot
Member:
mrose

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 - 10:20 am:

Elizabeth, I remember you used mineral oil from the thread on arena footings. Did you say it's on sand? I've been leaning towards the magnesium chloride on sand solution for footing, but am still exploring my options.

Donna, how much magnesium chloride do you have to use per sq.ft.? Do you just use a spreader to apply it?

Sorry, I should be posting back in the footing thread I guess.
Member:
ekaufman

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 - 12:09 pm:

My feed store brings in barrels of mineral oil that they get through an Ag distributor. And yes, it's on sand.

We use Mag Chloride on the roads out here (they are dirt). It is very effective for dust suppression, but highly corrosive of vehicles etc.. I don't know what it would be like in an arena, but have a sort of knee-jerk concern about tack, shoes, and potential respiratory effects. No science, just a question.
New Member:
starlett

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 - 2:19 pm:

Whatever Mag Chloride I used in my arena was not corrosive in any way! The label stated that it was safe for pets, foliage plants, cement etc. I used about 30 bags in my 70 x 150 arena and other then being a marvelous moisture absorber, I saw nothing that would lend me to believe it was bad for human, pets or horses.

What I used are the 40 lb. bags of de-ice material, labeled Magnesium Chloride at about $15 a bag. Some of the cheaper brands have sodium chloride in them which is SALT. Would not use!

I placed them around the arena, split the bags,
sprinkled them in a circle and drug with harrow.
New Member:
sunster

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 - 5:28 pm:

Sara, Elizabeth;

The footing in the ring is fantastic, probably the nicest I've seen. Absolutely no dust - never needs to be watered, soft and giving, but not deep. The downside is that it makes your horses legs very dirty and difficult to clean - it leaves a black oily film that takes a lot of scrubbing to remove. I'm not sure what the oil was, but will ask some questions. From what I understand it was very expensive.

I've tried to narrow down what might be causing his breathing problem and associated exercise intolerance and seem to have it narrowed down to riding in the oiled ring on a hot day later in the afternoon after it's been "baking" for a while. I can ride in the ring first thing in the morning and he doesn't have a problem, and I can ride in the (grass) field in the afternoon on a hot day and have no problem....which leads me to believe it's the oil.

Thanks for your replies!
Member:
ekaufman

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 - 8:14 pm:

Blech-- black oily film sounds nasty. Neither of the mineral oil on sand arenas I ride in do that!

Let us know what you find out.
Member:
erika

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 3, 2008 - 9:05 am:

Betcha they used old motor oil, yuck.
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC