arena maintenance

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Danindigo

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 January 2006
Messages
176
Location
Staffordshire
spaces.msn.com
my new 40x30 arena is virtually finished & im looking into what to use to maintain it. It is a silica with rubber on top, so does anyone have any tips on looking after this particular surface? I have a small tractor to pull a roller or something else to do the job. I dont have the money left to buy an expensive piece of eqipment so any advice would be appreciated!

thanks
 
I use a sheet of reinforcing mesh steel (the sort that goes into concrete bases) with a metal bar on the front and one on the back to weigh it down a bit - a scaffold pole or similar.
I drag it round with a Kubota yard tractor, does a wonderful job and the mesh sheet is only about £15 max from the builders merchants.
Enjoy your new arena!
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My advice is get a DECENT leveller. Yes they are pricey but they are worth it!!!!

I have the same surface as you and at first used an old chain harrow...................useless. Didn't bring the sides in and just made the surface deep.

So we bought a Logic Pro Grader and WOW what a difference! Fantastic piece of kit
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Worth every penny. I level my 60 x 40 arena 3 times a week with it (used by 15 horses per day).
 
I got an arenamate for my silica sand and rubber surface - its BRILLIANT!!! well worth the money!! When you have spent thousands putting down a surface, it is worth spending hundreds to make sure you can maintain it properly!!
 
if you are on a budget, i would get a square length of wood, put 2 hooks in it, tow rope, use a shackle to attach to the tractor (put a loop in the middle of the rope, but more to one side that the other) as you pull it, it wil be at an angle, so it will pull in from the sides and level, if you have it in the middle, it will just flattern. I do this to do my indoor arena weekly, works fab! my dad prefers a metal gate to pull around - again using a bog standard tow rope.
 
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