Arena Surfaces - recommendations please

[Nickymac]

I need something that will stand up to jumping, canter work (ie. fitness work), some lungeing, and that won't freeze in the winter. The site is a bit exposed so ideally a surface that won't blow away either! I like the gel types but I guess these are going to be very expensive?

Any suggestions or places you've been that have got something suitable? Thanks.

 

[Rambo]

Softrack is very nice....but being a sand / rubber mix not sure how it will stand up to freezing conditions

Is there anything that won't freeze though...surely any surface with water in it's make-up will freeze

 

[*kitz*]

we have Martin Collins Activ-Track. I love it, its not to deep and the school gets used by at least 10 horses a day, hour each. We flatten it (cant remember the proper name for that lol) every night and its really easy to use. I think its got some form of gel/PVC in it. Im guessing it was quiet pricey though.

 

[Nickymac]

Ok, so I was being a bit sarcastic about it not freezing.

I just know from years ago that some will freeze more solidly and stay frozen for longer, particularly in an exposed area. Do you know who makes Softrack?

 

[Rambo]

http://www.softrackarenas.com/

 

[miller]

I used sand/rubber all last year and it didn't freeze - not enough to stop work.

We've just had sand/rubber installed so will be able to tell you in February what it's like!

 

[Nickymac]

Thanks for that. I've had a look and it says it doesn't freeze and is wind-resistant......should I believe that?!

 

[Rambo]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for that. I've had a look and it says it doesn't freeze and is wind-resistant......should I believe that?!

[/ QUOTE ]

Definitely wouldn't blow away ! Ours hasn't been down over the winter yet though so will have to wait till next year for the answer about freezing (we have it in our indoor school as well as outdoor, so I won't lose too much sleep if it does

)...

 

[Nickymac]

I'm lucky to have use of an indoor at the moment but will be roughing it

and just having an outdoor when I move next year.

Maybe I'll re-post this next spring then and you can update me on the freezing situation.

 

[mrdarcy]

We have rubber on sand and it's fantastic. Our school is about as exposed as you can get (you can see the Isle of Man on a clear day) and the rubber doesn't shift at all.

 

[Thistle]

Def sand and rubber. Don't have plastic granules, they blow away.

 

[miller]

Forgot to mention our sand/rubber doesn't blow away and we are in the middle of the fens - as flat as you could get!

 

[Nickymac]

I did wonder if you might be in the Fens! It's fairly flat where I'm going to be but not quite the Fens.

 

[Triskar]

Basalt topped with 50mm rubber

 

[teapot]

rubber on sand - both arenas at yard put up with a busy RS