How to Choose the Right Footing for Your Riding Arena

must have the equipment for the regular maintenance needs for the expected life of the arena.
Drainage of your arena is very important said Christi Capozzi sales and marketing coordinator with ReitenRight Equestrian Inc. Poor drainage can lead to inconsistent footing that can cause injury to your horse or cause the horses to punch through the footing into the base and damage the base which is an expensive fix. It is important to do your research pick a location for your arena that promotes drainage install a good drainage system and get your drainage right the first time.
Heaton said that the three main components of an arena are the base the subsurface and the top dressing.
Bases are made mainly of clay he said. How much base is dependent on arena placement the local soil conditions and your local environment. What works at one end of the country wont work at the other. The subsurface is often discussed as an entity of its own. However I believe a good subsurface is an extension of the top dressing or footing. But many people want to use two different types of material layering one on the other which I believe in most cases creates unstable ground. When a horse moves through good footing the horses power is transferred through the top dressing down into the subsurface. The combination of these two entities gives a horse the stability and support required to confidently complete a movement.
In todays changing climate environmental conditions could become increasingly challenging. Access to water may become all the more critical in regions where drought conditions are beginning earlier and extending longer. According to von Hauff a 100 x 200 foot outdoor arena may need between 2500 to 4000 gallons 9500 to 15000 litres of water a day and during the drought