Anybody done this? It would be for an indoor. My BO is considering this to replace the old sand/rubber that’s curently in there.
My worry is that we have a ton of barefoot horses, a lot of wet here in the Northwest, and it would be too abrasive.
??
The minus part will pack down. It’s what’s used on pathways, between paving stones etc to keep them stable and provide a firm surface for walking. I wouldn’t want it in an arena.
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That’s my first thought as well. I love 1/4" minus for paths. But it does pack. I would think it would be too hard and perhaps too abrasive for footing.
I put down a load of dusty 12s which is 12 minus down to dust (or something like that). If left alone it will pack like concrete and drain really well. We’ve been dragging it until we get to the point of adding sand and it’s actually really nice to ride in when kept loose. When we are ready to add sand we will let it get wet then dry and add the sand on top. I know several farms that use it instead of sand. The bottom packs as the base and they keep the top several inches drug. It does require a lot more dragging and it is more expensive than sand but it’s a good interim. I had 6 inches of rain in 24 hours and could have ridden in it that day had my ring not been a foot under water. I did ride in it the next day when it was still under water but it was great footing.
Okay well we are lucky to get the arena dragged once a month so I don’t hold hope this will work. It’s an indoor with open sides so we definitely need the non-slip factor, but sand will work for that.
Hopefully they will hold off and once they see how it packs where they put it for mud control outside… I am going to try to talk them out of this!!
No, absolutely no, 1/4 minus will not work for arena footing. It will pack like cement. I use it in paddocks and paths around the barn. Best to go with washed sand, which should stay okay with infrequent dragging.
