Arena surface- sand and fibre or sand and rubber

Spottyappy

Spottyappy

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Sorry to post again in manage surfaces, but I wondered if anyone has experience of both of the above tyoes?
I am looking at budget of around 8k and both of these come in at that figure for a 20x40 arena. The arena is only likely to be used by our own horses (4 at most) maybe 3/4 times a week. It needs to Last about 12 years preferably without topping up.
I have ridden on the fibre sand ones at local venues, and years back on the rubber and sand.
I'm leaning. Towards the fibre and sand,but has anyone any view on why they chose one above the other, or where you are lucky enough to have more than one arena with both types, pros and cons.
Thanks,.
 
I have only ridden on sand and rubber my whole life.. always been fine! Yes it can get deep but watering in the summer is key as is harrowing it.
 
Our first arena was sand and rubber. To be honest I didn't like it. I did some research and it suggested that sand and fibre would be best. The rationale for this is that a surface is meant to replicate good turf, the fibre is supposed to act as roots and therefore give stability to the surface. Whereas rubber sits on top, and moves, therefore has less stability. My new arena is now sand and fibre, and it rides so much better. As a bonus it looks nicer to. My arena is outside my kitchen, so didn't want to look at recycled tyres.
 
If you are training hard and jumping big then sand and fibre. It also looks better IMO.

If you would like lower maintenance and less frozen time in winter then sand and rubber.

Both need maintenance, but if you do not maintain fibre it balls up and runs across the arena like families of rabbits! No maintenance means very little fibre left.

Mr rubber does not be attended to for months at a time (personal use only), and once harrowed and rained on you would never know. It also stays usable in winter when posher arenas are solid. I use it as winter turnout. Even when the underneath freezes the rubber stays pliable enough for walk and trot.

It does look like black rubber though, and would not be good if I trained hard on it. But, at 30m X 30M I hire a nearby arena with sand and fibre if I want to do serious work or jump more then a small fence.
 
I've just put down sand and rubber on my new arena. I had it on my last arena where it was used daily by 4 or 5 horses (jumping, flat work and lungeing) and we never had a day where it couldn't be used, so I stuck with what I know works !

I looked at fibre initially for new arena but as its in a fairly exposed area I didn't want the hassle of my surface disappearing off down the road ��
 
Hi,
It really depends on your local climate....I did loads of research and asked lots of the pro arena surface providers opinions which they generously gave freely.....and they all recommended I went with the rubber to top up the sand as I live in an VERY windy area....with a lot of rainfall.
I do level my arena at least twice a week, it has never frozen and I ride and jump unshod horses on it. I have only a depth of 4 inches of sand and have mixed the rubber in so the surface rides well and is never deep.
The bonus for me is I don't get cold feet when I am teaching in the winter as the rubber doesn't get cold :)

My advice would be do what I did for research....because once you have put it down......it is expensive to remove if it is not what you want/suitable.

Best of luck :)
Bryndu
 
We have sand & rubber. We jump & do dressage on it & we never lose any time with it freezing or flooding. In the summer when we have a long hot spell then it can dry out & ride a little deep. On the whole though it's a good surface. :)
 
Thanks, some useful information.
None of the companies I have spoken to have asked about the weather conditions! Which are windy, and arena to be sited on the wettest bit of my field, which can almost be bog like! Obviously will be well drained, but will go and pick some brains now I am empowered!
Xch, I think the combination of sand fibre and rubber is too expensive sadly as that would be my ideal. Although, I am now aware the fibre may run off in the high winds we experience!
 
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