Sawdust, Fibre or Rubber to Fix a Deep Arena

[jjhorse]

Hi guys,
long time lurker first-time poster here!

We have moved into a new place that we are renting and have found out after we signed the contract that the arena is heavy and boggy. The base is made out of big and small stones/rocks and has river sand put ontop. We had the arena lasered to find out what the problem is because removing some of the surface didn't help. It turns out the base is uneven along the whole arena, which is causing some areas to be much deeper than others, so although the top of the surface is level, underneath it isn't. To fix properly will cost around the $30,000 mark. The arena contractor we got recommended there is another solution to fixing it which should make it last about 10 years. He recommended either adding fibre, sawdust or rubber to the top of it/or mixing it in, which will suspend the horse better.

Has anyone had a similar situation where they used one of these surfaces with sand and found it compacted the surface? I'm trying to work out what my options are and get it right the first time as it is still going to cost around $8000 to fix it this way.

Any recommendations are greatly appreciated!!

 

[Red-1]

Yes, I had an inch of black ash and 2" of rubber on a deep arena that was only useful when wet, and now it is good to ride in all conditions. The rubber means it is unlikely to freeze too.

Other people I know have used carpet fibre to a similar effect, but I don't have personal experience.

My arena is just levelled once a month or when the horse has had a hoof around as it is also my winter turnout so has plenty of wear.

Been down 20 years, with new surface added 10 years ago to good effect.

 

[ycbm]

I'm struggling to imagine how sawdust would last ten years, but I'm guessing you are in the US as you are using dollars and the climate where you are might not be as wet as ours.

My sand and rubber arena was too deep in dry weather, so I added fibre in the form of shredded sheep fleece, and it has been perfect for three years. This year I topped it up a bit as I began to get footprints again.

I couldn't speak for the uneven surface, though, as mine is perfectly level underneath, I had it built so I saw it.

I would be looking for some sort of warranty from the supplier that the solution you choose will do the job. That's a lot of money to spend if it doesn't. And I hope your rental agreement is more secure than most in the UK, for the same reason.

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