Replacing and arena surface (chopped cables) what is this called ?

[fanatic]

I am thinking of replacing my wood fibre surface, when we built the menage we were originally going to have rubber, so already have a 4 inch layer of silica sand at the bottom and then 8 inches of wood fibre over the top, it is now rotting and discolouring, so from memory I rode on a surface that seemed to be made of sand and chopped electrical cable and quite liked it at the time, what is this called and has anyone used it, also has anyone ever replaced or taken up part of a surface ??? the menage is made up of layer of hardcore approx 1.5ft, membrane, 4 inches silica sand and then the current wood fibre surface, there is no real drainage as we are on sandy soil so it never floods. suggestions please.

 

[flyingfeet]

PVC granules?

I haven't had to have the surface removed, but I topped up my sand and pvc granules with rubber as I was doing more jumping and its kinder on the legs and doesn't dig up so much.

 

[kerilli]

it's pvc, but tbh i found that it mixed too much with the sand and didn't stabilise it enough, it made it ride too deep. (had it on my 1st arena.) i now use springride rubber shred on silica sand and really rate it, it knits together and stays on top, insulates sand from wind, frost and sun, and keeps horses working on top rather than through the sand. pvc has really gone out of fashion i think, rubber is a much better topping.

 

[Persephone]

Hubby had something to do with this. The coating on Fibre Optic Cables is Polyethelene. Makes a good surface apparently, particularly for gallops.

Can't remember who bought it from his company. I'll see if he can remember.

 

[millimoo]

I've heard it blows about a bit if the Arena is exposed, it also mixes into the Silica rather than sitting on top.
Chopped rubber would be better and will wear better.