Parkranger
Well-Known Member
I looked at a livery yard which were talking about putting a new wood fibre school in - I've never ridden on it so not sure what it's like!
Any experiences?
Any experiences?
Wood Fibre Surfact in Arena?
- Thread starter Parkranger
- Start date
carthorse
Well-Known Member
I have a cushion ride and it was fantastic at first and you rode on top of it ,rather than through it.
It is now 6 years old and needs a top up desperately but can't afford one .It is now ok in the summer but not so good in winter
It is now 6 years old and needs a top up desperately but can't afford one .It is now ok in the summer but not so good in winter
Parkranger
Well-Known Member
So you'd recommend it? Oscar is a lazy sod and he stacked it in the outdoor sand school the other week and I flew over his head!!
It's a 40 x 20, so not massive but enough to have a few jumps but I really want to keep his schooling up and he's going so well....sounds like it could be nice then.
It's a 40 x 20, so not massive but enough to have a few jumps but I really want to keep his schooling up and he's going so well....sounds like it could be nice then.
Laafet
Well-Known Member
NOOOO is all I can say, we had it at the last yard I was at and if it not maintain properly it is slippy and dangerous. The YM couldn't be bothered to look after it properly, instead she left a note on the tack room board saying that until it rained the school was off bounds. My boy fell over in it and I had to pay for his pelvis to be put right and numerous other horses fell on it. Needless to say I left that yard and they are now claiming to be the best yard in the country on their very flawed website.
On a gallop at work it is fine but then they roll it and water it regularly.
On a gallop at work it is fine but then they roll it and water it regularly.
angiebaby
Well-Known Member
I use one for my lesson, one hour a week and love it! Its bouncey, and pony doesn't sink or trip up as he does in sand.
ChunkyMonkey25
Well-Known Member
depends on which wood surface they put down! We have easi-ride in ours and it's fantastic - in the winter it soaks up the water and is even more like walking on a cushion!! If they go for cheap wood bark that's when it gets dangerous if slimy and will rot down in a couple of years. I think I know the yard you were looking at!!
Parkranger
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
depends on which wood surface they put down! We have easi-ride in ours and it's fantastic - in the winter it soaks up the water and is even more like walking on a cushion!! If they go for cheap wood bark that's when it gets dangerous if slimy and will rot down in a couple of years. I think I know the yard you were looking at!!
[/ QUOTE ]
Bet you don't know which one i'm talking about ! ha ha
depends on which wood surface they put down! We have easi-ride in ours and it's fantastic - in the winter it soaks up the water and is even more like walking on a cushion!! If they go for cheap wood bark that's when it gets dangerous if slimy and will rot down in a couple of years. I think I know the yard you were looking at!!
[/ QUOTE ]
Bet you don't know which one i'm talking about ! ha ha
horsegirl
Well-Known Member
we have the wood fibre stuff and it is OK but gets deep in the corners and across the centre. I think if harrowed regularly then it will be ok and not laid too deep
fari
New User
I installed a wood fibre arena last Autumn and hate it. It's extremely slippery and dangerous. We DO maintain it correctly, rolling and levelling but no avail. We have had a number of accidents on it and a hoof puncture wound which took three months off work and innumerable veterinary visits!
Parkranger
Well-Known Member
Seems that it's down to the quality of the surface then - I believe that too much bark can cause it to be slippery?
fari
New User
No bark in our surface - bought as an equestrian surface. Correct professional construction of school, i.e. membrane, hardcore, etc. It's the top surface of the arena that is very slippery.
_jetset_
Well-Known Member
I was on a yard with a wood chip arena. The one that had been down for a while was very deep and like riding on mush, and then when it was completely replaced it was slippery
My horse injured herself on it because the hinds were not being supported in the work we were doing as the surface simply gave away, and I would not really have liked to have jumped on it as I saw some horses really pecking on landing. More than one horse fell over in there just cantering around (I would never ever lunge in there, they ended up slipping constantly) and one horse fell on its rider
This was a recognised company fitted absolutely correctly.
My horse injured herself on it because the hinds were not being supported in the work we were doing as the surface simply gave away, and I would not really have liked to have jumped on it as I saw some horses really pecking on landing. More than one horse fell over in there just cantering around (I would never ever lunge in there, they ended up slipping constantly) and one horse fell on its rider
This was a recognised company fitted absolutely correctly.
skylady99
New User
I'm on a yard with a wood fibre surface and must say I've never had any problems with it.
My horse is elderly but very well schooled and is therefore well balanced. I must say that we have had incidents on our yard with supposed 'slipping' but it only seemed to be a problem for those with young, green horses and also with those poor horses (mainly youngsters) who seem to have their heads strapped to their chests by all manner of gadgets whilst being ridden and lunged!!
The surface is meant to 'give' to absorb shock which it does, however if I was to strap my horse's head to it's chest I would expect it may loose it's footing if the surface gave as it wouldn't be able to right itself.
Maybe I am trying to say that we often blame the tools instead of looking at the workman!
My horse is elderly but very well schooled and is therefore well balanced. I must say that we have had incidents on our yard with supposed 'slipping' but it only seemed to be a problem for those with young, green horses and also with those poor horses (mainly youngsters) who seem to have their heads strapped to their chests by all manner of gadgets whilst being ridden and lunged!!
The surface is meant to 'give' to absorb shock which it does, however if I was to strap my horse's head to it's chest I would expect it may loose it's footing if the surface gave as it wouldn't be able to right itself.
Maybe I am trying to say that we often blame the tools instead of looking at the workman!
fari
New User
Surely a surface should be safe for horses of all ages and abilities. A surface that 'gives' is all well and good but it must not slip. It should not be necessary to enquire as to 'what age or level of training' a horse should have before riding on a particular type of surface!!!!
You are no doubt referring to 'Rollkur' with your comments to horses heads being tied down. I am saddened to think people in your yard use this - hopefully you make every attempt to discourage them from such cruel training methods.
Anyone who trains using 'classical' methods would not dream of punishing a horse in such a way, however, this would not make them slip! The sole reason a horse will slip on a surface is THE SURFACE 'moves' when the hoof pushes off.
You are no doubt referring to 'Rollkur' with your comments to horses heads being tied down. I am saddened to think people in your yard use this - hopefully you make every attempt to discourage them from such cruel training methods.
Anyone who trains using 'classical' methods would not dream of punishing a horse in such a way, however, this would not make them slip! The sole reason a horse will slip on a surface is THE SURFACE 'moves' when the hoof pushes off.
rosieogrady123
New User
I think what Skylady meant was that Wood Fibre arenas are actually very beneficial in that they provide cushioning. It is not 'deep' and the horse bounces off the top which is far better for tendons etc.
Another benefit is this is a totally biodegradeable product which does not leak toxins into the land (as with rubber products). A well maintained wood fibre surface which is not abused by over lungeing and jumping or loose schooling should be the perfect surface for dressage!
Also, if people and horses become too accustomed to working in a ultra-stable surface with grip, then what happens when they go to a show and work on grass which can tend to be slippery? if the horse isn't used to having to carry itself in a balanced manner then it is more likely to slip at a show. Also, when jumping around a cross country course you will be jumping off natural surfaces more often than not, so if the horse has tendencies to peck on landing this is down to fitness and training and perhaps suitability issues, not the surface.
Having said that, I would not jump a young or novice horse on any surface which was 'slippery' as a mistake could knock their confidence.
I have had many years of experience in every equestrian discipline and I can tell you I know of plenty of horses who have slipped over on sand, rubber and other surfaces. I feel that the wood fibre is getting a bad press and too many people are blaming it for their own inadequacies. With regard to training methods, I agree that all too many people these days are using gadgets (I wont name them) but one of the worst things you can do with a young horse is to strap it's head down in order to force it into a shape. What most people dont realise is the damage which can be done is often irrepairable. I wish people would learn a little about bio-mechanics before entering into these methods of training.
Another benefit is this is a totally biodegradeable product which does not leak toxins into the land (as with rubber products). A well maintained wood fibre surface which is not abused by over lungeing and jumping or loose schooling should be the perfect surface for dressage!
Also, if people and horses become too accustomed to working in a ultra-stable surface with grip, then what happens when they go to a show and work on grass which can tend to be slippery? if the horse isn't used to having to carry itself in a balanced manner then it is more likely to slip at a show. Also, when jumping around a cross country course you will be jumping off natural surfaces more often than not, so if the horse has tendencies to peck on landing this is down to fitness and training and perhaps suitability issues, not the surface.
Having said that, I would not jump a young or novice horse on any surface which was 'slippery' as a mistake could knock their confidence.
I have had many years of experience in every equestrian discipline and I can tell you I know of plenty of horses who have slipped over on sand, rubber and other surfaces. I feel that the wood fibre is getting a bad press and too many people are blaming it for their own inadequacies. With regard to training methods, I agree that all too many people these days are using gadgets (I wont name them) but one of the worst things you can do with a young horse is to strap it's head down in order to force it into a shape. What most people dont realise is the damage which can be done is often irrepairable. I wish people would learn a little about bio-mechanics before entering into these methods of training.