Rubber Arena Surfaces?

bitsnpieces

bitsnpieces

Active Member
Aug 22, 2007
6,548
10
38
The surface I have at the moment is pretty much builders sand so it's very abrasive and compacts into a pretty rock hard surface so I've been thinking about researching a rubber surface to put on top of it.

Has anyone else had this done before? Where did you start?
 
I've heard mixed reports about rubber surfaces. When we did ours, we automatically assumed rubber would be best. However, we were advised by several companies that we could have it if we wanted, but for a very similar price we could have a mix of silica sand and fibre, which is what we went with in the end. Have to say, it is fabulous and does not cause us any problems (the rabbits also love it and spend endless evenings digging it up only to be chased off by myself and OH!lol). I guess also a school is only as good as the drains you have put in.....But, that isn't to say the rubber is no good - but I do know, that it makes your horses legs black and dirty! And, you can get bits stuck down exercise boots if you use them. Mind you, having said that, the fibre surface could probs do the same (I don't bother with exercise boots on madam).
We used Equestrian Surfaces - they are based in the North of England and are very good.
 
Don't own a posh surface, but have ridden on loads!

Rubber, or rubber sand mix, is fab, especially if not too deep. Dumbblood has four white legs, and they don't get black at all!

Fibre sand is also good, but the fibre, over time, can separate out onto the surface. I think fibresand is quite a 'natural' surface to ride on, and doesnt ride too deep.

But agree, drainage is vital!
 
Bear in mind that if you use rubber, when it wears out it is regarded as a toxic waste and costs a fortune to dispose of. Have you really got builders sand or worn silica...we spent £300 having our silica dug up with JCBs and a power harrow and then re levelled..made a good surface again.

Adding most toppings reduces watering. We looked into surfaces and were most taken with the chopped up foam backed carpet additive to produce bounce, it still however needs watering regularly!
 
eml said:
Bear in mind that if you use rubber, when it wears out it is regarded as a toxic waste and costs a fortune to dispose of. Have you really got builders sand or worn silica...we spent £300 having our silica dug up with JCBs and a power harrow and then re levelled..made a good surface again.

Adding most toppings reduces watering. We looked into surfaces and were most taken with the chopped up foam backed carpet additive to produce bounce, it still however needs watering regularly!
Click to expand...

Thanks eml, that's really helpful! I think it is builders' sand....it's that heavy orangey sand and very abrasive, it drains fantastically but compacts really heavily, we harrow it weekly but it just puts permanent harrow marks in the sand where it's still wet and compacted underneath.

Maybe it would be worth looking into getting it taken up and re-layed?

Love the sound of the foam backed carpet product!
 
If it is abrasive it is probably not builders sand as that is soft. Ours compacts as unshod RS ponies working badly round the school tend to 'pad' it down. The foam backed carpet clippings will give it spring but it still needs regular watering. We have gone for regular digging up and relaying indoors ( on a hard surface underneath) but have never had to touch our silica sand/cable clippings outdoor from Manchester Plastics on scraped sand stone subsoil.

Start with your soil type and drainage if appropriate and work up to the top. Rubber basically cuts down on watering if that is important but does give long term problems.

If I was doing an arena for private use economically I would put in sand and mix in used shavings ( after separating the droppings)
 
wow I was wondering if adding rubber bits was a good idea but it sounds downright nasty.
clever people to manage to market their waste product to us!
 
newrider.com
Top Bottom