OK, so whats the best arena / manege surface then please ?

[VLHIEASTON]

So, I am considering removing all the silica sand now, so what surface should i put down instead, one that doesn't ride deep and that the horse rides over it and not thru it ?, what do you recommend ?

Please can you all help, I haven't a clue about surfaces !!

Thankyou x

 

[clipclop]

My friend topped her arena with Springride Shred. It kind of sits on top of the sand and it doesn't seem to move much at all. The sand doesn't appear to come through ever. She has had it down for approx 3 years.

I have found their website for you.

http://www.springride.com/shred.html

 

[kerilli]

i've got Springride shred too, it's good stuff. i put it down at my last place and was there 5 years, it was fantastic and never tracked, i never had to level it at all. have put it down here too but i think the silica sand i've got isn't quite as good as the last lot, because i have to level this one.
_Claire_ has put down rubber on sand and really rates it, i can't remember which type though.

 

[Tiffany]

The surface at Beaverhall is really good and doesn't need levelling too often - unfortunately I don't know what it is - sorry!

 

[misterjinglejay]

Gel track is lovely and seems to be very low maintainance.

 

[brighteyes]

Why on earth remove silica sand? It's the best stuff to have, surely

Get a fibre additive to stabilise it and you are away....

 

[VLHIEASTON]

Because its very deep and unstable, a nightmare, it was from Mansfield sand who do Fibresand, its that sand but without the fibres.

 

[SecretSquirrell379]

I school on rubber and its lovely, the black bitty one. It never gets waterlogged or slippery, does not track very much at all and is great to bounce on if you come off!!

 

[Bosworth]

I would go back to the sand people and ask them what the problem is. When we bought our house we inherited the arena which was Padstow sand. I was very dubious about it - beach sand is usually hopeless as it is far to round grained to bed down. However ours has been incredible - never rides deep, hardly tracks. i level it three times a week but even without that it is good going. It has no additives in it. It rides equally well in dry or wet conditions.

if your is proper arena sand it should not be riding too deep. I suspect it is not the correct grain shape and needs the fibre in it to work well. but your fibresand suppliers should be able to help you