Arena Surfaces

L

L1nda

New User
Joined
20 July 2015
Messages
2
Visit site
Hi new name but not new, forgot my username and password so re-registered (think I have a different email to when I joined over 10 years ago too lol)

Just a couple of quickies about arena surfaces. Seen one that's just been topped up, it's a 'pasada type' surface, but the top up contains loads of flattened pieces of copper. Never seen copper in surface before and surprised there's so much. Is it just me or are these little thin pieces of metal likely to be a risk under boots/in foot crevices/on heels?

Also seen a brand new rubber arena that's been put down (looks like car tyres big chunks), no sand, nothing else in the surface, part of which is on concrete. I know several horses have slipped over but people are saying it just needs time to settle. Scares me... is this right too?

It's a very long time since I had anything to do with surfaces, and I don't know much, but I don't think I'm keen to ride on either. Am I being silly?
 
I am no arena expert but chunks of rubber directly onto concrete sounds lethal and as if it was a homemade job, it should have a layer of good silica sand under it as I cannot see what it will settle into otherwise it will just keep moving about and remain loose, I would not ride on it.
The other one is hard to imagine but if it is a professional surface top up then I would expect it to be fine.
 
I would never have a rubber surface especially the larger chunks - they throw the legs all over the place.
We built a Manege last year using a carpet fibre surface. It's a mix of small pieces of nylon carpet, foam, felt and headlining from the car industry. We ran 70 tonnes of crag through it and it's a fantastic surface, giving yet supportive. I really don't think we could have chosen better and it was inexpensive. I never have to level it because it literally doesn't move.
 
Sounds like shredded copper wire in the first surface. I thought it had to be removed before the plactic was shredded. Like you I wouldn't use it having had a small piece of stone removed from a horse's hoof that had worked up under the navicular bone, prognosis was poor as the joint gets compromised, he was fine but was very lucky. I too have carpet fibre it is a cheap as rubber as you need half as much in weight, it is brilliant and wouldn't have anything else.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top