How to Choose the Right Footing for Your Riding Arena

There is some complex engineering involved in arena footing construction. If you are thinking of investing in building an arena there are also some important factors to consider factors that can influence either the advancement of your horses performance or put him at risk for lameness or ligamentmuscle injury. In addition the degree to which you pay attention to dust control especially in an indoor arena will directly affect the quality of health of your horse yourself and others who also use the arena not just riders and instructors but onlookers helpers and others too.

Regardless of the intended arena use horse health should be the primary concern said Dave Heaton with Conterra Industries in Strathmore Alberta. For North Americans not living in southern USA we live in one of the harshest environments to maintain consistent footing whether indoor or out. If someone intends to build an arena it should be considered a 10 to 20 year investment.
To an unseasoned eye a hogfuelwoodchip arena or one with a sandy surface may at first look like the perfect entry point to start training. But woodchips can induce slipping while certain sands can induce tripping. The real place to start for that perfect arena
The three primary considerations for arena placement are location on your property in relation to ground water access to that water for watering the arena as part of its regular maintenance and access to the site for trucks and equipment. Depending on your chosen riding discipline your arena must provide stable secure footing that allows the horse to transition in and out of movements. You must have access to sufficient water and if budget allows a sprinkler system to water the arena for both dust control and before regular light harrowing or grooming to level it. And of course you