Arena Sand and Horse Footing Archives - Page 2 of 2

*Keeping your riding arena sand dust free*

Whether you’re a trainer, rider, or superintendent, you want the arena to be as dust free as possible. The only way to do this is to look to a quality riding arena sand mix or blended equestrian footing. Not only will this keep the facility looking professional, but you’ll also avoid those major health concerns. More than the importance of saving money is the health and well-being of everyone involved in your arena.

The condition of your riding arena sand is critical to the health and safety of your riders (and their horses) In fact, there are many, many reasons to keep the dust at bay. Here are the top five.

Healthy riding arena sand means healthy riders

No one wants to be exposed to more dust than they have to be. Dust irritates the eyes, throat and nasal passages, exacerbating conditions like asthma. This goes for the horses as well as the riders. Long term exposure can lead to persistent conditions like chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD) or a respiratory disease called silicosis. This is absolutely the number one reason for quality arena sand footing.

Watering for dust control

The only way to control excessive dust is to water the surface. But too much watering can damage the riding arena sand footing, causing it to puddle more often, take more time to drain properly and ultimately take away from training time. Also, if the footing becomes compromised by overwatering, there’s a higher risk of injury to the horse and rider.

Lower maintenance costs

The more dust, the more water it takes to control it. Maintenance costs for a dusty arena are high for this reason. Rather than having a few days of great training, you have to stop midway through the day and water the footing. This takes time, and time is money in equestrian training.

Poor riding arena sand increases fuel and labor costs

Related to the above issue, you have to pay someone to water the footing, and this isn’t as simple as hosing it down. Since you’ll be using ATVs or other custom sprayers to water the footing, all of which run on fuel, you’ll be spending money on fuel every time you have to water. The more dust in the arena, the more fuel it takes to control it.

Less dust = Greater cleanliness

That dust has to settle somewhere, and it’s not very picky. On your clothes, on the horse, on the railing, pretty much any available surface will do. That means that once it’s there, you have to clean it. Having a dust-free arena will save you the time and annoyance of maintenance and help you spend more time managing and training horses.

Let us help you choose the best riding arena sand

Contact us today to learn more about our riding arena sand and equestrian footing today. We’ve been supplying quality arena products to Gainesville and Atlanta GA and the surrounding areas for 18 years with proven results.

*Proper maintenance to your arena sand is key to maintaining a safe and attractive arena for your riders.*

Maintaining your equestrian arena sand is crucial not only to the health of the arena itself but also to the horse and the rider. If the sand is too dry, then dust becomes an issue. However, if it’s too wet, then mud is a worry. Both issues can lead to serious injuries for the horse and rider, so maintenance is essential, especially in changing seasons. Some of these things we can control, but as the seasons change, it becomes necessary to take certain precautions to protect your arena from unpredictable circumstances by keeping it as well-maintained as possible.

Changing seasons bring rain

As we move from the heat of summer into the winter months, precipitation becomes much more frequent, especially in the South and other regions with more radical climate changes. This also occurs in the change from winter to spring, so the same advice applies.

Level arena sand to prevent puddles

Wet arenas should be completely off limits. Not only can muddy tracks hurt your horse, but it can also damage the base layer of the footing, causing a major maintenance issue in the long term. To prevent the rain from doing more serious damage, level the footing before it rains to even out the water distribution and prevent major puddles from accumulating. Wait until it’s totally dry before heading back out.

Watch out for winter dangers

During the winter, it’s best to stay off of the arena footing. If there is even the slightest chance of ice, it’s better safe than sorry. And snow is an obvious given. However, some have found that it’s possible to ride during the winter months by using the right mixture of sand and soil, but this is risky and personal to your arena and climate. Before the winter sets in, a good maintenance tip is to level and smooth out the arena sand to provide consistent drainage and allow the sand to shed the melting snow and ice more easily and efficiently.

A great crew is your best defense

Great arenas have great crews — those who pay special attention to different aspects of the arena and associated climates. Proper drainage is essential to maintaining optimal moisture retention, and it should be checked often. A well-maintained arena base can last up to 10 years if cared for properly. It takes a lot of work, but for the health and safety of the horse and rider, it’s completely necessary.

Great arena sand is our specialty

Riversand Inc. is your local expert on great arena sand. We’ve got everything you need to keep your arena looking its best all year long. Give us a call today at 877.499.7263 or visit us online at www.riversandinc.com.