Arena rubber v pvc and which rubber??? help

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flyingfeet

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OK I have a pretty good arena that has been down for 10 years. It doesn't flood, its surface is pretty good. but its a bit dead to jump on and it digs up after 5-10 jumps over one jump. This is currently very good silica sand and pvc granules.

So I was thinking about rubber as I believe I wouldn't have to move the jumps and level the arena so often - is this wishful thinking?

Does rubber provide the best outdoor surface for show jumping?

Then what about the whole tyres versus non tyres and which is the best rubber. Obviously keeping costs down is great, but I am aware with arenas in particular there are false economies.

Your thoughts appreciated!
 
The RS my son attends has a rubber surface. It tends to be good for so long, but with lots of traffic (as only a RS menage would have) it develops ruts and needs levelling daily, sometimes twice a day. The upside is it's easily levelled, stays in good nick and the horses go well on it.
 
I'm waiting on planning for a manege so will be interested in the replies to this. Am getting lots of conflicting advice but from what I've heard/seen so far am going for the rubber chips from chopped tryes.

These were used on an yard I was on and held up well to heavy use despite the YO never tending it in the 3 years I was there! It never froze and although it got a bit lumpy after people jumping or lunging the horses seemes to kick it back into place pretty much.

I,ve been advised to avoid Springride at all costs, it contains all sorts of weird stuff and found it clumps together like snow in the horses feet, something to do with the latex content.

I won't be having PVC granules, they all get in your knickers when you fall off and was finding bits for ages!
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So, don't think you can go too far wrong with the tryes so long as they are guaranteed wire free and chopped small
 
i've got Springride shred and find it brilliant, had it at my last place too. the sand i had at last place was better, so sand + springride = never having to level arena at all.
however, my arena here isn't quite as good, the sand (same quarry and type as used by Charles Britton, very expensive!) doesn't stick together as well, so it tracks a little and needs levelling. still a lovely secure surface to ride and jump on though.
it hasn't got any latex in it afaik, and doesn't clump in my horses' feet!
 
I have always had a fibre sand surface it is basically top quality silica sand with loads of fibres added and mixed in they comprise of elastain, nylon and rayon which is a little like cigarette filters all fraid up. My current surface is the best surface I have ever had for bounce without depth and my liveries whom are into show jumping say it is superb. You can just buy the fibres and have it mixed in to a pre existing surface. The other thing it prevents is kick back! (dust from the sand rising).
 
I level it every 3 days, thats with about 15 horses on it everyday. HOWEVER, this will be reduced a lot when our round pen is done, as there then will be no lunging allowed in the arena, which is what cuts it up!
 
Ah ha - so this would mean I would have to level every 45 days as its just me.

Do you need to rake around the jumps or just level the whole lot?

Its the moving jumps that kills me, but despite really good sand, mine starts to get holes when you repeatedly jump one jump.
 
When I first opened the yard we left the jumps up and I just harrowed around them, it was pretty easy, but because most of the liveries just school, the jumps are kept in the corners.
 
If you get recycled tyres them beware them marking anything and everything horribly, even worse when they are wet. Ridden on a few surfaces made of this and frankly it is disgusting after riding, and if you have a grey its legs will be black. Yuk.

I assumed they were tyres as that's what it looks like.
 
Recycled also tends to stink when its very warm!

Beware pvc granules if your arena is in a blustery spot, they can accumulate quickly at one end or in adjoining fields if theres a gust of wind!
 
We have the Jackson rubber - Star Trak?? and it's brilliant - myself and OH use it and we've had to level it twice a year!
Doesn't freeze unless bitterly cold with a cold wind and then only slightly and has never puddled.

Personally I don't like the flat rubber to ride on but others do.
 
Not sure about the tyres bit (I believe so) but definitely doesn't make OH's mares white socks go black (my lad is all black anyway!) Jackson's are very helpful over the phone
We have had no problems with it
 
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