Horse owners are notoriously picky, and one area which typically demands high standards is the footing upon which riders exercise their mounts. The question of what makes the best footing has been the subject of high profile discussions in regards to everything from Olympic arenas to racetracks.

Perhaps the reason that this question is so frequently – and hotly – contested is that the description of the “best” footing does vary somewhat by regional climate and especially intended use. However, there are certain factors that lead to quality arena performance regardless of these variables.

Base Basics

“Something I have learned from attending trade shows is that you will hear a lot of horror stories about footing,” says Tony Will of Read Custom Soils in Canton, Massachusetts. “I have learned that nine times out of ten, the reason that these people are having problems is that the base is inadequate.”

When riders think about footing, they typically discuss it in terms like depth, stability or dustiness. But Will says that before you can worry about the quality and type of material on the top, arena builders need to spend some time focusing on the layers underneath.

“Footing itself makes up just the top three inches of the arena,” says Will. “It is the base below the footing that is so crucially important. If the owner cuts corners here, the best footing in the world won’t perform.”

Will lists two critical components to building a solid base – correct construction and excellent drainage.

Drainage

When building an arena from scratch, Will says that one of the first, most critical factors they consider is where storm water runoff and other drainage is likely to flow. Ideally, it is best to situate the arena where the drainage is already naturally excellent, rather than having to build up an area to create better drainage.

“Usually the arena is already in place or is set up for convenience to the barn, rather than the best drainage,” says Will. “You can fix drainage problems, but obviously this costs money.”

Will explains that sites without adequate drainage need to be prepared in a manner similar to the construction of a building or parking lot, including the installation of piping and trenches.

 “Outdoor arenas are more complex than indoors, especially when it comes to drainage,” says Will. “The weather affects the condition of the outdoor ring far more, and if the topography of the area puts the arena in a low spot, then the water heads downhill and muddies the ring. Hopefully if you are working on footing for an indoor arena, the drainage issue was addressed during its construction.”

Base Construction

Once any potential drainage issues have been addressed, the next step is to create a proper base for the arena. Will says that this step is fundamental to the successful performance of any footing and is often not given the attention it needs.

“First you must remove any naturally occurring materials that are on the site, usually organic material like topsoil and unstable material like clay,” says Will.

The next step is to bring in at least six inches of ¾-inch crushed stone; this will help to create a stable drainage layer underneath the arena.

“Then you need at least six inches of stone dust,” says Will.

Will says that the stone dust must be compacted with a large vibratory roller, the same kind used in road construction. The most successful technique is to compact the stone dust in “lifts,” meaning that it is done a few inches at a time.

“The vibratory roller will compact it so hard that it will be like a table top,” says Will. “This is what a base should look like. You can then bring in a variety of footings.”

Sand: the Natural Choice

It is easy to become overwhelmed when evaluating the selection of footings available on today’s market. When selecting your footing agent, it is important to consider who will be using your ring, for what disciplines and at what level of intensity.

“For casual usage, a few inches of clean sand is the ideal footing,” says Will. He points out that the word arena is derived from the Latin word meaning sand.

“Sand drains well, has a good feel to it, is easy to maintain, and is relatively inexpensive,” says Will.

However, “sand” is a broad term, and some types are not suitable for use in a riding arena. Sub-angular or angular sand has particles that, under a microscope, appear to be irregular in shape, with defined edges. These sharp lines on the edge of each particle lead them to compact against each other, giving footing a stable feel. Rounded sand has, as it name implies, smooth edges to each particle leading to footing that is too loose, too lively, non compacting, and unstable.

 “Sieve size, or screen size, is another consideration when choosing sand,” says Will. “This term describes what size of sieve sand particles can go through.”

Coarser sands like concrete sand have chips as big as 3/8 of an inch; these are too large for arena footing. Will recommends sand with a gradation closer to mason sand, also known as brick sand, for arena footing as it is smaller in size but not so small that it creates dust.

 “The challenge is to find sand in the one to three millimeter screen size with virtually no silt or clay particles to create dust,” says Will.

In general, Will suggests that riders steer away from sands with a high percentage of clay and silt. “Palomino mix describes a sandy clay footing commonly sold in New England,” says Will. “It is too dusty though and is most appropriate for western reining or barrel racing, where they frequently want the footing to have a little skid. Most riding disciplines want something without silt or clay.”

Synthetics: Enhancing Nature’s Best

Of course, increasing performance demands on the equine athlete have led to a need for higher quality footings. Following the theory that a horse can only perform as well as the surface upon which they stand, footing experts have continued to develop new and more innovative methods of adding support, stability and cushion to the earth beneath horse’s feet. Much of the time, this is achieved through the use of synthetic additives.

Crumb Rubber

One of the most common arena footing additives is crumb rubber. “Crumb rubber can be added to virtually any footing and enhances cushion and softness,” says Will.

Crumb rubber also reduces the grinding effect of hooves on sand; the constant compression of particles of sand rubbing together eventually causes them to break down, creating dust.

“Rubber in the sand acts as a shock absorber between the sand particles and thereby extends the life of your footing,” says Will.

Though a common additive to arenas, crumb rubber is more expensive than some owners realize, typically costing two to three hundred dollars per ton without factoring in shipping costs. “By volume, it is the most expensive type of footing,” says Will.

Will says it takes more crumb rubber to create an effect on sand footing than some other styles of synthetic additive.

Another concern is that the source of your crumb rubber must be a manufacturing plant that processes only bias tires (used commonly on tractor trailers and golf carts); unlike the radial tires used on passenger vehicles, bias tires have no steel in them.

“The investment to use rubber is high,” says Will. “If you are using it in an outdoor, remember that rubber can float. If you have any drainage issues, or even just a heavy rain, some of the rubber will float away.”

For this reason, Will recommends rubber as being most suitable as a footing amendment for an indoor arena.

hoofCUSHION®

hoofCUSHION® is a product developed by the Maryland based company Custom Equestrian Footing. It features a proprietary blend of two grades of sand, synthetic fibers, and crumb rubber. Read Custom Soils represents this unique footing blend in the northeast.

“The two grades of sand enhance the stability of this footing, because the different particle sizes lock onto each other,” says Will. “The synthetic fibers retain moisture and provide stability, while the rubber gives it more cushion.”

Like other footings that contain textile products, hoofCUSHION® arenas must be maintained with a straight tined drag, otherwise you can rake the fabric material out. It also must be pre-blended before delivery, which means that the distance that this product must be shipped can add significantly to its cost.

GGT-Footing™

GGT-Footing™, or German Geotextile Fiber Footing, is a 100% polyester synthetic footing additive that has just recently made its way to the United States from Europe, where it is a popular choice for many elite riding arenas. GGT-Footing™ has been chosen as the official footing for the 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida. Otto Sports, who uses GGT-Footing™ as part of their arena solution, is the official footing for the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky.

Cynthia Keating, the U.S. representative for Polysols, Inc., GGT-Footing™’s manufacturer, says that it is made up of two components, felt and fiber. “The felt looks like pieces of fabric while the fiber is made of strands that look like hair,” says Keating. “It is manufactured using a special process. We actually take leftovers from bolts of fabric used in a different industry, thereby recycling a product that is normally thrown out.”

Professional arena installers mix GGT-Footing™ with high quality silica sand; according to Keating, the proper mixing is essential to success.

“The silica sand knits together with the GGT-Footing™ and creates a highly stable footing,” says Keating. “The key advantages are that this footing retains moisture and provides a cushioning surface that is one hundred percent safe for humans and horses.”

Keating says that some synthetic surfaces contain fiberglass filaments; these have been proven to be bad for the respiratory system of performing animals and is now illegal in Germany.

“Not all textile additives are the same,” says Keating. “GGT-Footing™ has a safety sheet, verified by testing conducted by an independent company.”

At approximately $1.25 per pound, GGT-Footing™ is still one of the more expensive additives available, but its status as the choice of World Cup, Olympic and other prestigious venues shows the quality of rider who stands behind its use. Read Custom Soils is an authorized distributor for GGT-Footing™, and Will says that it is an excellent footing, especially for jumpers.

“This footing provides fabulous stability,” says Will. “The fine sands typically compact and get super hard, but the felt helps retain moisture and as well as ‘void’ space.”

Maintenance of a synthetic surface like GGT-Footing™ is slightly more particular than a plain sand arena. “Every year, you will need to add a little more footing with sand, as the sand breaks down,” says Keating. “We also recommend the use of drags with adjustable tines, like the Reitz Harrow and Parma Groomer, as these do not rip into the surface.”

Keating adds that the company is introducing a new blend of footing this year that will feature an elastic fiber to increase the cushioning effect; the other benefit will be that this blend can mix with lower quality sand, thereby reducing the overall cost.

GGT-Footing™ arrives in bales and can be blended to sand of the correct size at the actual arena; this means that it can be used to amend already existing sand footing or that sand can be obtained more locally while the GGT-Footing™ itself is brought in from the plant in South Carolina.

The previously mentioned synthetic additives are just a few of the plethora available on the market.

Dust Control and Other Maintenance Concerns

How much maintenance an arena needs does, of course, depend on the type of footing you are using and how heavily it is used. Without correct maintenance, no footing can perform as well as it is designed to. One of the most common complaints about arenas, dust, can be mitigated with proper management.

Dust occurs in arenas with high levels of silt and clay, older or heavily used arenas whose sand components have become pulverized as well as arenas where organic matter (manure) is not regularly removed. In addition, many companies have developed coatings that can be applied to the grains of sand to help reduce dust.

“The two most common coatings are wax based or oil based,” says Will. “They literally coat each grain of sand.”

Wax based coatings tend to be quite climate sensitive, resulting in footing that can be harder when it is cold (as the wax solidifies) and softer when it is warm (as the wax melts). Oil based coatings, usually made of polymer or mineral oil, are slightly more popular, but still no single coating has emerged as a clear front runner for arena use.

 “These coatings are expensive,” says Will. “For an indoor, some might be worthwhile, but for an outdoor that is being constantly subjected to the weather, they are probably not worth the cost.”

A common treatment used for arenas to reduce dust is magnesium chloride. The advantages of magnesium chloride are that it is relatively inexpensive and can be easily added to footing with a simple fertilizer spreader. It is also more environmentally friendly than its predecessor, calcium chloride, and less desiccating to hooves.

Of course, regular manure removal will also enhance the longevity of footing; as manure breaks down, it can destabilize footing and also create dust.

Most arenas in regular use need to be dragged at least once per week; heavy use may dictate daily dragging. It is important to select the correct type of drag for your footing; some have curved tines that can break up hardened, packed down footing (as is common on the rail of a lesson barn), while other types are no more than a section of chain link fence which serves to smooth the surface of the ring.

Conclusion

The proper construction of an arena certainly is a time consuming process. However, with the correct attention to detail and the selection of a footing designed to hold up to the demands of your facility, you can ensure that your investment of time, energy and financial resources will be well spent.

Sidebar:

A Real Life Ring

Hurricane Hill Farm in Chichester, New Hampshire, is a small boarding barn that attracts riders in a variety of disciplines, but particularly dressage and eventing. Hurricane Hill is host to many clinicians, and the owners are frequently complimented on the quality of their footing. Nearly four years ago, they decided to put an expansion on to their indoor arena, meaning that barn manager Megan Schulz received a crash course in everything footing related.

“We had the best footing that I have ever come across,” says Schulz, who is a frequent competitor in eventing up to preliminary level. “When we put the addition in, we had to try to match the [footing] that was already in there.”

The arenas at Hurricane Hill, both indoor and outdoor, are a mix of two thirds washed angular sand with one third crumb rubber. Schulz was actively involved in the process of selecting the sand that would be used in the new addition, as the owners chose to purchase their footing from a sand and gravel company and then hired a private contractor to compact the base, rather than going through a footing distributor.

“One of the most important things that a rider can do is to actually go step on the sand and feel it in your hands,” says Schulz. “I wanted to know that the sand would be solid.”

Schulz says that one of the most important components to keeping their arena in good shape is regular maintenance. “I drag all of the rings at least once a week,” says Schulz. “Our ring isn’t in super heavy use – probably about ten horses per day. We have to walk across the outdoor ring to get to some of our pastures. In the winter the rubber sticks to the snow, and when we plow a path to the pasture, we can lose some rubber. However, we have found the rubber to be affordable and keep a small pile, so it is easy to put more in.”

Schulz also uses magnesium chloride annually. “I usually put it down in early fall, then water the indoor quite a bit to retain the moisture,” says Schulz.

One of the biggest challenges after the completion of the new addition was ensuring continuous depth of footing between the old and new sides. “We actually have measuring sticks that we can use to check the depth of the footing,” says Schulz.

Schulz says that the staff and owners of Hurricane Hill are quite proud of the quality of their footing and invite guests to stop by to feel it for themselves or ask questions about the process they used to create their arena.