Arena Sand Options

H

hoofmad

Member
Joined
9 April 2016
Messages
19
Visit site
Hi!

As the title says really. I'm going to install my own arena over the next few months.
We just don't have the budget to employ a professional company so it'll be DIY from start to finish.
My surface will be a sand and carpet fibre mix.
I understand that pearly white silica is the best but I'm considering the following : unwashed silica (I have black legged horses!) Or beach sand.

What sands have you used and would you use it again??
(I'm located in Norfolk if anyone has any good suppliers they want to pm me?)
 
I used local sharp sand plus carpet fibre and it is brilliant - stable and needs very little maintenance. I think beach sand is a big no because the grains are rounded by wave action and so never settle properly unless they are soaking.
 
Thanks Soloequestrian!
I've heard sharp sand is quite 'harsh' on the feet and compacts easily? Have you had any problems with this?
I'm going to use the small square chunks of carpet fibre; is that what you used?
 
Rode in a school once that had sharp sand and rubber. My poor horse came out lame and looked as though his soles had been roughly sand papered.
 
I am sure I saw an advert in Central Horse News for free sand, they were offering free samples.

I think it is probably ex-casting sand from industrial moulding, it was obviously being used for arena surfaces as it was advertised in a horse magazine. It may be worth giving them a call. If I recall it was near Oxford, but it may be worth paying for the transport if you are getting an arena full for free!

(The way to get the transport cost as low as possible if speak to a local tipper transport company and ask them to pick a load up when they are coming back up the M40 or M1 empty, you'll get a good price for filling their usually return empty back load).
 
Is it possible to DIY a safe sand arena? The prices quoted for having one done for you are in excess of 20k.... which is great for a yard but for someone's home arena to simply turnout your own pony or two is excessive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top