Help... sand for arena

[B&G]

Sorry if this has been done to death but I need help... I think I'm losing my mind!

I am planning my arena. Drainage is sorted, but what to top it with is driving me insane!

I am on a very limited budget which is why it's so frustrating. In an ideal world I would have silica sand with rubber. But I can't really afford that at the moment.

So I have been looking into other types of sand, I have previous ridden on a sharp sand mix and thought it was fine, even through winter.
But I have heard horror stories about it, and don't want to waste my money on something that's going to be a disaster! Does anyone have a sharp sand arena, or any other type of cheaper sand arena?

Also I am getting a quote for Flexi-ride - no idea if it's going to be in budget, but does anyone have any experiences of this?

All help much appreciated!

 

[Goldenstar]

You must use silica sand sharp sand destroys their feet .

 

[B&G]

I'm going back a few years but we were at a livery yard with a sharp sand arena for going on two years and both the horses we had at the time were fine, and as far as I know none of the other liveries had a problem with hooves due to the arena... They were shod (full set) though, does that make a difference?