Deep sand school

[Paint it Lucky]

The school I ride in has a light sand surface which gets deep and uneven very easily (eg, you level it then after a few minutes of trotting round it is churned up again!) At the moment it is not really ideal for schooling horses on as they sink too much into it. Is there anything that can be done to make the surface a bit firmer? Would rollering it help or could it do with having another material mixed into or put in top of it to make it firmer?

Thankyou

 

[Louby]

The school where I keep my horse was really deep too but mainly in summer when its really dry. It was a sand and rubber mix but my horse found it really hard work and I would avoid using it when it was at its worse. The YO added tons and tons of rubber which cost a fortune last year and its been so much better. Weve not had a problem yet. It looked very black for ages but slowly is going more sandy looking so I dont know how long this will last though as the sand does already seem to be taking over again!

 

[Mrs_Wishkabibble]

It may be worth getting the sand analysed (sp) you will probably find it is single sized and round instead of angular and multi sized.
To explain it more simply if it is single sized and round it is like riding on millions of marbles, it will never compact but if it is angular it will form a firmer surface.
There are so many people selling "equestrian silica sand" and the majority is not suitable.
You could try some binding material that looks like strips of felt and work it it into the surface but IMO it doesnt improve it enough to warrant the cost.
As far as rolling goes, again, if the sand particles are round it won't make any difference
You will probably find that it needs a new surface.
The reason I know all this is because I had the same problem, I ended up getting my money back for the sand and had to put a complete new surface down.
There is no such thing as a cheap option really, sorry!

 

[Paint it Lucky]

Thanks guys that has given me something to think about.