Arena Surfaces

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MissIndependance

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Location
Devon, UK
www.sarahboximages.co.uk
Well after a 2 year battle with our moronic neighbours we have FINALLY won planing permission for a 60x20 arena here :banana:

So now the big question is... Which surface to invest in...?

We will have around 35 liveries using it plus our own stallions and horses we have in for backing / schooling and our own youngsters we're backing to sell on so I think that classifies as pretty heavy usuage. Mixture of flat and jumping...

I've rang around a load of companies and have 5 which I am most keen to use - the others I had my doubts about whether they'd stand up to the useage.

First up is Equestrian Surfaces: Cushion Track Classic, or Wax Track. The most expensive but I know they've sponsored HOYS so assumably are pretty good? Anyone used either of the above surfaces?

Then there's Jacksons Arenas Star-Trak

Martin Collins - Activ-Track or Eco-Track - Oh actually I lie - having looked at the qotes again - THIS one (Eco Track) is by far the most expensive - £10k MORE than Equestrian surfaces!

Equestrian Direct - Turf Float & Silica sand....

CushionRide

Any experience either on your own arena or at competition centres you ride at of any of the above surfaces would be fab.

Also if you have any experience with the customer service or aftercare of any of the above companies I'd be interested to hear too...

It's a huge amount of money so want to be sure we make the right decision :cold:
 
There's also Springride - I quite like the shred, a friend uses it and it really is nice underfoot. I think they are down your way too (cheaper haulage)!

I found Robert Brazil at Softrack very helpful too.
 
Is cushion ride wood??? If so stay well clear
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The stuff they have at Keysoe is fabulous - I think it is Cushion Track. Never moves, is springy but solid if that makes sense? Probably less maintenance as moves less. I find rubber shreds/strips get flung about and you lose quite a bit of surface over a fairly short time.
 
Was at a vet talk the other day and the vet suggested that if you want to avoid tendon injuries avoid surfaces that don't move. Apparently if the surface doesn't move the horse is constantly subject to their legs being prevented from moving as they should hence pinged tendons! Just a thought to bear in mind
 
Yay, congrats
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Waxed surfaces are fantastic BUT we had a quote for just the surface from McArdle and it was £50,000
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Cheapest we got was from Equestrian Surafces which was £35,000.

Needless to say we could not afford that so we are having 5 inches of silica sand with 3 inches of Spring-Tek rubber on top. Think it will be about £18,000 for our 60 x 40m arena. We will have 35 horses on the yard using it, and this is the surafce Radway has so it must be good.

http://spring-tek.co.uk/default.aspx
 
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Was at a vet talk the other day and the vet suggested that if you want to avoid tendon injuries avoid surfaces that don't move. Apparently if the surface doesn't move the horse is constantly subject to their legs being prevented from moving as they should hence pinged tendons! Just a thought to bear in mind

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I've also heard this. I think the problem is these waxed surfaces haven't been round for very long, and when you go to HOYS you can really here how compact the surface is!
 
I have silica sand, and turf float fibre, and have had no probs, its a great surface.
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Have you thought about Andrews Bowen? They have re surfaced Myerscough Colleges arena, and its very good. Andrew used to work for Equestrian Surfaces but has no set up on his own.
 
I hadn't thought about the non-moving surfaces causing tendon problems...hmmmm something else to think about!

The quotes range from around £10k for surface alone to £33k for surface alone (Martin Collins - HOW much!!) so tere's obviously a massive range there but it's so hard to make a decision with so many options.

SJ I havent heard of Andrews Bowen - I shall google them and have a look - thanks.

Clairey will have a look at Spring-tek too - I have a few weeks to do some research before we start the work in the New Year so have a little while to make my mind up...
 
But surely a surface with lots of movement, which rides deep will cause equal damage? I would say you dont want a rock hard one, but a firm one? Hmmm?
 
I have got Cushiontrack Classic in my arena. I think its fabulous!! It cost £35000 for my 20 x 40 but that included groundwork for extra drainage too. Wouldnt hesitate to recommend it.
 
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Martin Collins everytime for me!

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Is FAB! we have it in our menage and our warm up and competition arenas!

Though does get stuck in your hair and clothes if you do fall off!!
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I've got a 20x40 Pasada arena which I hate because it rides too deep and a 30x60 sand & rubber 'arena' which was done on the cheap because it was an afterthought as an 'all weather turnout paddock' (which got round the planning dept!). The cheapy school rides perfectly throughout the year and is far better than the mega-bucks Pasada (which we now turn out in!)
 
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