Posted 2006-02-28 10:15 AM (#37970) Subject: arena prep
Elite Veteran
Posts: 824 Location: Kansas
Well, my antique springtooth, for which I gave $15 about that many years ago, has finally gone beyond repair. So, I am interested in knowing how you guys maintain your arena footings. I have heavy clay (fun, fun!) that can vary from slop to cement nearly overnight. What is your implement of choice? Do you use any additives? How do you maintain YOUR footings? I ride both English and Western, this is an area of about 80x100.Thanks, terris
Posted 2006-02-28 4:00 PM (#37985 - in reply to #37970) Subject: RE: arena prep
New User
Posts: 2
With arenas we have done in the past that have clay soil like you are talking about, we have dug out the soil to about 18" below grade and replaced with a road base (class II).
After leveling and compacting the base to about 90%, we cover with rock dust and compact that. about 2"
We then install about 4 to 5 inches of washed sand. Concrete sand or plaster sand works well. A few arenas we have mixed the sand with shredded rubber. This keeps the sand from compacting at all and adds more cushion for the horse.
Our arenas have been covered though, so if your arena is exposed, the rubber may not be the best thing to add. It is expensive.
I would laso recommend a border around the perimeter (outside of the rails) to keep the sand contained so when your riding the horse doesn't continually push it out. You won't have to add more as often.
Water is your enemy with clay. The road base material compacts like a rock and drains fairly well. With a 2% grade to your arena and plenty of sand on top, you should be fine and you should be able to ride whatever the weather is.
Posted 2006-03-01 10:44 AM (#38023 - in reply to #37970) Subject: RE: arena prep
Elite Veteran
Posts: 824 Location: Kansas
$ure $eem$ like they'd be good!
Wow-18 inches was a lot deeper than I'd have thought. So, for my next question-and I understand that I need a good base-if my goal is to get rid of rock hard ground, why am I compacting limestone to set up like rock? Seems like a contradiction. Thanks
Posted 2006-03-02 5:57 PM (#38134 - in reply to #37970) Subject: RE: arena prep
Elite Veteran
Posts: 824 Location: Kansas
That's a new one on me too. Doesn't this stuff set up when it rains? There is a cement plant not a mile from me and a lot of the people use their gravel and rock fines for their driveways and it is nothing but dusty and then lime-slop after a rain. So, I'd never have thought of that as a good arena material, thanks.
Posted 2006-03-02 7:00 PM (#38142 - in reply to #37985) Subject: RE: arena prep
Expert
Posts: 1719 Location: PA
Ranch, This is exactly what I tell people to do except I prefer the unwashed sand because I find the washed sand can be too deep. My pen isn't covered and the washed sand gets very dusty. I learned this the hard way. :0(
Posted 2006-03-02 8:38 PM (#38149 - in reply to #38142) Subject: RE: arena prep
New User
Posts: 2
Another reason we mix the shredded rubber in. Helps keep the dust down. Whatever works best for you.
The reason you want to replace the clay with a base and compact it, is because the clay is an expansive soil. When it gets wet, as you know, it swells and becomes like glue and everything in it or on it gets sucked into it. If you have a good footing or expensive footing on your clay soil, it will be a wasted investment in no time.
Replacing the clay with a rock solid material will keep your footing longer and you won't have all the clay issues. The base material I referred to has lots of gravel, which is why you want to cover it with a few inches of rock dust. Gravel and horses feet don't always get along to well and it would be shame to lame a horse in a nice arena because of some gravel in the wrong place and the wrong time.
Other alternatives for the base is Decomposed granite. Screened. No gravel. Will still pack hard but won't be as durable.
After you have a good solid base established, then your footing will last so much longer. You won't be working it into the clay whenever you ride on wet days. The sand or whatever you have for footing will stay in the arena and continue to function like you want it too.
arena prep
