5 Common Footing Problems We See and How To Fix Them

Horse Arena Footing That’s Too Hard

Signs:

• You can hear footfalls and concussion
• There are no visible hoof indentations on the surface
• Shortened stride of your horse (when surfaces are hard, horses tend to shorten their stride to avoid the sting of the impact).
• Bruises and coffin bone issues (which can be contributed to too hard of a riding surface).

Solutions:

• Get a free sand analysis to understand what solutions will be compatible for an improved equestrian arena surface.
• Adding footing products can create voids in the compacted surface to increase cushioning.
• Deep grooming and watering can help loosen hard, compacted surfaces.

Horse Arena Dust

Signs:

• Surface is dusty aka airborne particles are prevalent
• Uneven base
• Surface is slippery when wet
• Surface is hard and dusty when dry

Solutions:

• Get a free sand analysis to understand what solutions will be compatible for an improved equestrian arena surface.
• Add a footing product that can enhance your existing sand or add new sand with a specific particle size and gradation.
• Add a dust control product to bind the additional fines or dust particles.
• Increase water retention with a water-retention and dust control footing product such as ArenaAid, HydroKeep or SlowDust.
• Deep grooming will remix all sand particles and footing materials.

Horse Arena Mud and Puddles

Signs:

• Water doesn’t drain from your surface
• Puddles appear on the surface
• Surface gets slippery when wet

Solutions:

• Get your sand tested to see if it’s compatible for an equestrian arena surface; if so, some footing additives can help absorb water.
• Replace your sand, repair the arena base, or construct a new base to increase drainage
• Deep grooming can help move the water to runoff and help evaporate some of the moisture on your surface.