What To Consider When Choosing Surfaces For Your Horse

Making sure your horse is comfortable and safe is essential to maintaining its health, and your horse’s arena surface plays a big role in this. The arena surface can impact your horse’s comfort, health and athletic potential, so it is vital to choose the best possible riding surface.


At Mainland Aggregates, we supply a wide range of equestrian surfaces and other aggregates used to construct both everyday training arenas and competitive arenas. From the gravel used in the drainage system, such as riding arena drainage aggregates, to the aggregates used on the surface, such as silica sand and rubber chippings.


When choosing surface materials for your horse’s home and arena it is important to consider the best comfort and safety for them, as well as how reliable the surface will be to damage or other forces. An equestrian surface should offer stability, absorb shock, provide support and minimise injuries. So, what to consider when choosing the right surface for your horse?

Comfort


If your horse has particular sensitivities these should be considered, particularly for their stable. Crushed rock with fines is recommended over that crushed rock without fines. Some horses are prone to chewing or eating at their bedding so make sure you use something that will not harm them, or thoroughly cover their surfaces with something that is edible such as hay or straw.

   

Dust/Wind


Allergies can be particularly irritated by accumulating amounts of dust. Certain surfaces produce more dust than others. Although masks can be worn, it is advised that the comfort of the horse and owner is taken into consideration before choosing your surface. Stone-based aggregates and concretes have a much lower risk of dust than soils and wood chip bases. Proper ventilation is essential in stables. Outside arenas should be cautious of exposure levels to wind; dust circles and potential falling trees are just a few hazards.

Tractability


Regularly exercising your horse is an important part of caring for it and keeping it healthy. Making sure your horse does not slip on a surface is crucial. Rounded gravel, concrete and wood chip are less advisable in comparison to silica sand and rubber-based surfaces for arenas. Both premium silica sand and economy silica sand can be purchased at Mainland Aggregates.

During wet weather, the tractability of wood-based surfaces is known to suffer but this can be prevented as much as possible by avoiding constructing on a sloped or uneven area.

   

Sustainability to damage/wear


The overall cost of maintenance may be something else to think about. Some materials can be cheaper to purchase but require more regular care. For instance, silica sand is long-lasting, promotes effective drainage and improved compaction. The forces of erosion and as a result of the impact of your horse should be factored in. Materials should compact to a firm, slip-resistance surface.

Drainage


Our silica sand surfaces consist of a sand with sub-angular grains, providing quality drainage which is useful for urination and wet weather. When choosing an area to construct your arena a discharge for the drainage system should be located to avoid the build-up of puddles. It may be necessary to approach your local council for help with this.

   

Cleaning


Stabled horses should be thoroughly looked after with frequent cleaning. A dirty stable can cause illness and unnecessary stress for a horse. When outside, riding arenas should be maintained too in order to prevent slips, so surfaces that are easy to clean are the most appropriate. Having the right tools, clothing and technique is essential when cleaning to guarantee your horse the best environment and keep surfaces well managed.

Natural appearance


Blending surfaces into the surroundings can make for a better overall appearance of your horse’s shelter and riding arena. Various materials are more appealing to the eye but it is largely down to personal preference. Typically, an all-weather riding arena consists of a drainage system, a sub-base, a silica sand surface and usually a rubber chip topping. 

When designing and constructing your surfaces, please talk to our advisors. We can be easily reached by phone at 01234 831108 or via email at  [email protected]. Alternatively, contact us by filling our contact form.

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