What are the best arena footings made of?

The best horse arena footing is made of a mixture of sand and synthetic products to provide ideal firmness, cushioning, rebound, and traction. Textiles and fibers bind with sand particles to add stability and retain moisture. Rubber products reduce hardness and compaction in coarse sands, while also improving cushion and drainage. Premier Equestrian can help you find the best sand in your area and provide footing product recommendations for your arena needs.

What layers should my horse arena footing have?

Your horse arena footing should have four layers. The first layer is the simplest and easiest—it’s the natural soil at the very bottom of the arena. This is called the sub-base. The next layer is the upper sub-base, typically made of four to six inches of small, crushed rocks. This layer is meant for drainage purposes. The third layer is made up of rubber grids, mats, or stone dust. This layer is usually two inches deep and helps with drainage. The final layer—the top layer—is the actual horse footing where the horse will work. It’s commonly sand made specifically for equestrian purposes. Textile and/or rubber additives can be mixed in to enhance footing characteristics like firmness, cushioning, rebound and grip. Premier Equestrian offers a full line of footing additive products and a free sand report to help you understand what will work best for your arena.

Is there a difference between outdoor and indoor footing products?

No! Horse arena footing products can be used in both indoor and outdoor arenas. Of course, the horse footing products will be less affected in indoor arenas because they won’t be subject to the elements, but horse footing products are fairly universal between indoor and outdoor arenas. The biggest difference is moisture and your arena base. Outdoor horse arenas will need some kind of drainage system, and indoor horse arenas need systems to decrease freezing. To learn more about the differences between indoor and outdoor arenas, explore our article on indoor and outdoor horse footing.

What is the best base for my arena footing?

If you have an outdoor arena, you’ll need a base built for rainfall and drainage. Premier Equestrian offers arena base construction plans to help you and your arena builder. Premier Equestrian’s array of base mats is excellent for outdoor arenas. We carry brands like OTTO, ArenaAid, and Athletex. If you have an indoor arena, you won’t need a base built for drainage because your arena won’t be exposed to the elements. Instead, you’ll need a sealed stone base. Base mats will provide a consistent, level surface in an indoor riding arena, but aren’t required. OTTO Sport Base Mats absorb 40% of the shock in horses’ legs, making them ideal in any arena, indoor or outdoor.