Temporary arena surface?

[mum_gone_rogue]

I’m not in the financial position to build a proper riding arena right now, but I am wanting to firm up a part of a paddock to be able to ride on regularly without it becoming too boggy (I live in Ireland and it rains a lot).

Could anyone suggest something to incorporate onto the grass as an interim solution? I was thinking a lot of sand over the grass? Eventually we will build a proper surface.
Thanks!

 

[Abacus]

I have heard of rubber granules being sprinkled gradually into grass so that it becomes incorporated within the soil and grass roots. This would be finer than normal arena rubber, more like a coarse powder of maybe a few mm per piece.

That said I took excess rubber from my arena and put it in a grass corridor between the stables and fields, and it has stayed there and kept the area passable in winter. If you could find someone selling a used/cheap arena surface you could throw it down and see how it gets on. You might want some boards at the sides to stop it spreading.

 

[PeterNatt]

The only solution is a permanent well built arena - anything else and you will end up with a big mess which is expensive to remove.

 

[mum_gone_rogue]

The only solution is a permanent well built arena - anything else and you will end up with a big mess which is expensive to remove.

This was my fear

 

[ycbm]

If you can afford tons of sand and don't have a free source as some do, you might be better off spending that money on drainage that you'll need under the final arena anyway, and putting the topsoil back and riding on that while you save for a surface.
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