School Riding Deep

[Lucy Shoe]

Hi. I wonder if anyone could offer any help re my arena. It was installed by ourselves in late September 4inches of silica sand and 2 inches of 20mm equestrian rubber with loads of drainage and membranes used. The sand was allowed to settle for 6 weeks prior to rubber being put on it was harrowed and rolled and is always levelled after use. Its only used by my horse 4 times a week for no longer than 1 hour. The problem is it is riding deep/loose and I don't know why. Is there a test I can do on the sand to see if it is up to standard. Any advice? Thanks

 

[Goldenstar]

I think it may just need more time to settle mine took a while .
If you could roll it regularily it would help the lawn roller behind the sit on mower worked not to badly for mine .
I added cushion fibre to mine the first time we topped it up that has made it better in summer as mine is quite loose in hot dry weather .
If its draining very freely it might just not be staying damp long enough ATM more time to bed down will help if it only getting light use it will take much longer to settle .

 

[Tiddlypom]

I have a sand and rubber arena put in by one of the top arena companies. I was told that it needs a minimum of 4 inches of rain on it to 'lock' the sand granules together.

My arena was very loose when first finished, just walking on it (without a horse) was quite hard work! I got the sprinkler out (it was May) and got it done bit by bit. As soon as an area had been watered, it became much less hard work to walk on as the sand knitted together, whilst the area adjacent, which hadn't, was still very loose.

I was told not to ride on the arena at all until when pushing down into the sand with a finger, you should not be able to go beyond the first knuckle. I followed that advice, and two and a half years later I am still delighted with my arena.