Building A Better Arena

Over time, arena footing can change and without proper management it can fail. Footing can be too hard, too deep, have too much movement, or simply need leveling. The key to creating a better surface is understanding what to change.  At Footing Depot we strive to educate our customers and provide them with cost-effective solutions for all types of surface issues. 

The building blocks of an arena are the base, the sand, and any additives to help with water retention, dust control, or footing concussion and movement.  When looking to improve your existing arena there are a number of options. A consultation with our footing experts can help to determine the best solution. 

Scroll down to learn about all three blocks or click on the photos above to skip to those areas.

BASE

The base is the foundation of your arena, and like the foundation of a house, it is the most important part. If the base is compromised it will become more complicated to repair, and often times it needs to be completely re-done or added to in order to correct the problem. Therefore, installing a proper base is paramount.  If you determine that your base has been compromised then it will need to be addressed. The cost of a new base starts at approximately $2/sq ft. 

TIP: If your stonedust has been compromised you might find the larger stones from the base coming through into your footing.

SAND

Sand might seem like a basic ingredient and that all sand is created equal. That statement is far from the truth. 

Blending sands can result in better formulas to create life and energy in a footing. Using multiple sands in our proprietary blends has proven to be very successful. 

Sand is the most important part of a footing blend because the size and shape of the sand can make or break the type of footing you are trying to achieve. Sand adds depth and reduces compaction. However, if a sand is too course the footing will move too much creating a shifty surface that your horse will not feel comfortable on.  When sand is too fine it will compact very quickly. When you are using sand you will need some form of additive such as rubber to create more movement or a combination of materials to create movement and cushion.

We highly recommend steering clear of purchasing sand on your own.  Sand can be very difficult to source, as many quarries are unaware of what the sand is capable of and how it will perform. They may only know what people have told them and if those clients were happy with the sand for their outdoor arena and you are looking for your indoor arena, that is a big difference in use. 

Another common problem is that people typically purchase too much sand. The rule of thumb is that you can always add more sand if you do not feel you have enough. That is far easier than removing it.  Keep in mind that sand alone will need plenty of water to perform at its best, and new sand will always need time to settle and often rides deeper then expected. 

Over the years, through testing and use, we have built a base of knowledge in order to create the perfect surface for your needs. Footing Depot can help provide and offer sand solutions for your arena.

TIP: Is your footing level? Take a hand shovel with depth markers or us a permanent marker and create your own with one, two, three and four-inch depth marks on the blade. Once a month, walk around your arena and stick the shovel into the footing all the way to the base. Check that the depth of your arena footing is even all around your arena to be sure it isn't moving off your base. Look after your investment and it will last a long time.