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Expert
Posts: 5870
   
Location: western PA | Our indoor arena has a river bottom sand surface. When it dries out, it is extremely dusty and bothers my daughter's allergies. We've used the lawn watering attachments to soak things down, with poor results. Adding a built in overhead sprinkling system, would require a new larger water line from the curb, and be a very expensive installation. My wife and daughter just returned from the Equine Affair in Columbus, and had spoken to a retailer who sold shredded rubber that was used as an arena surface. It is supposed to replace the sand surface, reduce the dust, and still afford a "soft" riding surface. I was wondering if anyone has any experience in using this type of product, and if it really works. We were told we would be sent more information. I would like to know what type of surface preparation is needed, what is the projected life span, and what is the applied thickness, etc. I would appreciate any ideas or experiences you all may have about this product. Thank you. Gard |
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Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | I had some experience with rubber /sand mixed footing- but it was a an arena I showed at. They still had to water it down. I would suggest using calcium chlorlide ( spelling?) It keeps the dust down for several months and can be applied easily. Its safe to use for the horses and humans. I have used it for several years in the winter with excellent results. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 455
Location: Texas | I am curious if the calcium chloride tends to make the sand set up and then get too hard for good arena footing. Calcium chloride is a good dust palliative, but I've only seen it used on roads, and it tends to work like a binder in the gravel, also. Maybe with the low percentage of fines in the sand it does not have that effect. |
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Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | no it does not. CC does keep the fine particles of the dust down but it doesn't cause the footing to become solid. You can tell when its worn off when the dust comes back. In my case, it lasts about 4-5 months depending on how often the arena is worked up. |
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Veteran
Posts: 225
Location: Urbana,MD | CC is very abrasive to the hooves ,but does work on stone dust for dust control.
The rubber footing is nice , but is does make a black dust ,and will still need the watering. |
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Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | I have not noticed any abrasivness to the horses hooves. Remember the horses are not standing in CC all day as if in a stall. They are being ridden in the arena for a period of time then they leave. Recall I have been using CC in my indoor for three years,same horses. I use the arena at least 3-4 times a week given the weather in the winter. |
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Member
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Location: Midland, MI | Gard, I agree with farmbabe about the Calcium Chloride. We use the stuff called Dowflake. I live in Michigan, and this recipe keeps our arena dust free and does not freeze for about three months. In a 50X100 arena, I put down five 50 lb. bags with a seed spreader. Do a very light drag. Then with a 50 gallon tank sprayer, I put a large bottle of generic dish soap mixed with 50 gallons of water. Drive round and round (we use our lawn tractor), lightly spraying until empty. Repeat three more times. 5 bags Dowflake 1 gallon dishsoap 200 gallons of water For an afternoon of effort, you will enjoy months of great footing!  |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | Farmbabe and Lori Thank you for your advice about the calcium chloride. If you don't mind, I have some further questions: What is the composition of your arenas' surface? Is it sand? How deep is the top surface in which you mix the calcium chloride? I assume that by adding the dishwashing detergent, you are making the water "wetter", so that it absorbs better? How often do you have to re water? I would think that it would vary by the amount of usage and the relative humidity. Is there any difference among the brands of calcium chloride? I called our local Agway and they didn't have the brand name "Dowflake". They said it "was all the same stuff". Is it? Thank you both for your suggestion. It certainly sounds like an inexpensive alternative to the rubber. FYI, the shredded rubber salesman never mentioned that even when using his product, the surface would still have to be wetted. Gard
Edited by gard 2009-04-07 10:38 AM
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Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | Ok i'll try my best here-Our footing is sand ( not beach sand) and dirt. The arena was built on a hay field so the foundation is pretty much soil,we added some sawdust orginally ( it was too cold to haul in sand) then added dirt/sand later. It was been harrowed many times so its mixed pretty good over the past 4-5 yrs. We buy the CC in 50lbs ( I do believe its all the same) what we did toss it around the arena covering it as evenly as possible,then start watering. After a good soaking ( and more is merrier) run a rake or harrow around a few times.Its not a deep footing,probably not much more than 3-4 at its deepest. I usually do the arena in oct/nov before it freezes up too much. I don't start really riding until jan. I have noticed the CC as we apply it will last 3-4 months. I know of another barn that uses CC as well and there arena is more dirt than mine. His process is the same- CC when needed ( he can water in the winter)I don't use the indoor much in the summer as it gets hot.This spring I might start adding CC since it appears global warming is the bunk I thought it was- april 7...very cold and windy!I am riding only two horses so the arena isn't getting used for more than 2 hrs when I ride/train/school. I hope this helps. I know we considered adding the rubber tire stuff but found the trucking was going to be more than the material itself.
Edited by farmbabe 2009-04-07 2:52 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1989
Location: South Central OK | I like crushed stone (looks like cat litter) but it needs to be watered also. |
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INDOOR ARENA FOOTING.... QUESTIONS
