Footing

[carol machulski]

Our indoor got new footing this week..it's very black and fine textured and I think more is still to be added as the in-gate door is still 2 feet higher than the footing and the same for the wall and sitting area. I can't hang my cooler as now I can't reach the hooks..they're about 6 ft off the ground. As Valencia and I walked and then trotted around the arena, I noticed a fine dust cloud following us. Poor thing then began to cough...this does not bode well for the winter riding. I pointed out to my trainer the dust that is raised by movement but I'm not sure if this type of footing can be dampened to eliminate dust.

[Angharad]

Have you asked what the footing is, Carol? By the description, it sounds like rubber mulch, but that should reduce dust, not create it.

I'd be interested to hear what it turns out to be.

[carol machulski]

No I haven't asked but I noticed when I entered the ring today there was an odor of tar or pitch in the arena. I see if I can ask the head groom on friday.

[carol machulski]

Well I was told that it is a mix of rubber and sand. It seems to be irritating the horses' eyes a bit as the head groom said yesteday that Ophelia's eyes were a bit red in the coners and she noted this on another horse that was on lesson earlier. I noticed that my eyes are irritated too and when I wash them with eye solution some black grit is in the eye wash fluid. Not too keen on this footing.

[Angharad]

The rubber and sand mixture is pretty standard for dressage arenas--the rubber is thought to add extra "spring"--but it sounds as though they may have used WAY more rubber than they should. There should be at least one pound of rubber per square foot, but not more than 2 pounds.

Too much rubber can actually change the surface in two undesirable ways. First, you increase the density so much that the horses' toes won't be able to penetrate for proper breakover. Second, you may reduce concussion to the point that your horse becomes "deconditioned."

Rubber additives are generally made from recycled tires or industrial scrap rubber and are available either as a granulated product or as flat chips. It sounds like your footing uses the granular rubber. Granular rubber works best in sand that contains more "fines" (fine soils like silt) or stone dust, where the main goal is to reduce compaction. It's not a good choice for clean sand, which may be too loose already. In the case of clean sand, flat rubber pieces are best because they have an interlocking tendency that adds stability to the surface.

Much of the available rubber comes from recycled tires. Because of that, it's really important to purchase the rubber from well-known, reputable manufacturers who offer a guarantee that their product contains no metal, noxious chemicals, or other foreign materials.

I hope the owners of your facility get things straightened out with that footing. 

 

[carol machulski]

Based on my experience with the owner and her maintenance of the facility, I have little confidence in an improvement.

[Angharad]

Arrrrggggggghhhhh!

It drives me nuts when owners don't do good upkeep. 

Sorry you're in that situation.

[carol machulski]

I've been told that additional sand has been added to the footing but I haven't seen much improvement in Ophelia's gaits.

[Angharad]

I hope they do gets things right soon, Carol.

I was alarmed, first, by the depth of the footing you indicated. Two inches is about as deep as you want it. 

And, as I said earlier, if there's too much rubber to sand proportionately, the de-conditioning effect can decrease performance or even make it dangerous for horses once they hit more compacted surfaces.