Grass Arena for PSD

[oatybiscuits]

Hi folk - thoughts on grass arena use for horse with mild PSD now rehabbed. When ridden when footing is suitable (ie not too hard or soft), is this preferable to a surface for PSD horses - I’d have thought so? Lots of variables here, but let’s imagine it’s well maintained with minimal traffic and the horse is worked sympathetically and not too often.

 

[Red-1]

I would avoid waxed surfaces and repetitive movements. Other than that, I would have well prepared surfaces, whether that be grass or a commercial one.

I would avoid wax as it holds, so I would avoid sticky mud too.

I would avoid anything rutted or hard.

Most of all, it is the repetitive movement I would avoid, so not schooling for long or on successive days.

Old turf is the best surface IMO, and is the industry standard to replicate.

 

[ycbm]

Having been in yards with no arenas in the past, and deliberately used grass to practise for eventing, the problems are unsuspected irregularities under the grass, baked earth like concrete in dry spells, slippy when rained on after a dry spell, and sticky/slippy/hard work after prolonged wet.

In a British year you'll be schooling very little if you wait for it to be perfect, so it then it would be a rare exercise and more likely to cause issues.

I think I would be avoiding it with a horse with a PSD history, sorry.
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[Flowerofthefen]

I'd be very weary of anything other than ' perfect' going. I would do my ' schooling' on hacks.

 

[expanding_horizon]

I would avoid waxed surfaces and repetitive movements. Other than that, I would have well prepared surfaces, whether that be grass or a commercial one. .

Old turf is the best surface IMO, and is the industry standard to replicate.

In our current dry spell I find lightly waxed outdoor surfaces or well watered ones are riding best. I’d not automatically discount lightly waxed.

Though I do agreed heavily waxed is not good.

My rule of thumb is how do I feel walking / running on a surface?