Advice on Using Marine Sand for Arena Surface

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LittleOak

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Hi there,

I was hoping for a bit of advice. I am looking to resurface my arena, at present it has woodchip on it but it is very loose underfoot and i have found it ok for walk and trot and canter on stable horses but not youngsters.

I am looking into using estuary / marine / dredged sand as it is the cheapest option. However I have been told by some people that it works fine and advised against it by others. Does anyone have any views or any suggestions....is there anything I can put into the existing surface to hold it together??

The arena is 20m x 40m Indoor and is on a livery yard being used for a number of different things. I need something economical, suitable for indoors which doesnt need a lot of watering and something i can use for all disciplines including crazy children bombing around on lunatic ponies
smile.gif


Many thanks

Claire
 
My advice would be don't.

Silica sand grains are angular and so when they compress they tend to stick together giving a firm supportive surface.

Beach/marine sand has smooth grains which slide against one another so they will constantly shift (unless kept sopping wet by the sea!) and unless you have it several feet thick (like a beach) it will be useless for riding on and dangerous TBH.

Think how hard it is to run up a dry sand dune and you'll know what I mean.
 
we had marine sand on an outdoor lunge arena for about 6 months, had to be taken up as it was too wet/hard. only way i can discribe how it was is it like whn you keep tredding on beach sand all the water comes to surface
 
Someone I knew a few years ago tried to build a manege on the cheap using it, & their trainer made them ride on the field instead as the surface was horrendous. Think it was deep & inconsistent. Don't remember the details - just remember that I was *very* jealous when they had one put in, then not so jealous a few months later...
 
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