Arena surface for western riding

[debsflo]

Considering move to western yard and arena surface for barrell racing.
Been informed fine for flatwork but not jumping as rides quite deep.
Any one on here who can tell me more.

 

[be positive]

I would think it rides loose on top because the western horses slide through the surface a lot of the time rather than working on top of it as you would want if used for jumping, you will probably be fine if not doing too much or if the horse is a lighter type but a bigger horse doing more serious jumping will probably find it moves too much under foot and gives a false feeling, not good for tendons or ligaments either but the western horses must get away with working the way they do.

 

[debsflo]

No jumping allowed. Just checking its ok for flatwork.
Apparently barrell racers have different center to reigners.
O

 

[Shay]

Barrel racers don't slide on the surface - that wouldn't help. But they do have a deep surface the shoes can dig into. Reiners use sliding plates (particular shoes) to enable them to stay on top of the surface and slide. The deep surface should be OK for most flatwork. But if your horse has any tendon issues the deep going might make it worse. Also if he has a daisy cutter action he might drag his toe through the surface which probably won't help. If he gets too used to a very deep surface then has to compete on something harder he might go a bit footy.

On the plus side - quite forgiving to fall off onto!

 

[Alibear]

Its probably a pure sand or sand and dirt mix which is what we used to all use for surfaces back in days gone by. You should be find for flat work as long as its maintained and harrowed regularly which most western yards I've been to so far are really hot on. I have the opposite problem western rider on an English yard with an unmaintained fibre/sand surface with the membrane coming through. Oh how I long for just a sand surface...