What is your favorite arena footing and why? Do you have one that you hate and why?
Looking for advice. Thanks!
I love my crumb rubber in my indoor, so do my horses. I have had it for 30 years. I do not have to drag it but just rake the outside track a couple of times a week. Once a year i sprinkle calcium chloride and it stays dust free.
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My favorites are Nike Airfoot, crusher fines (although the CF’s MUST be groomed or they will compact), good ol’ crumb rubber and sand mix. I do NOT like these geotextile footings in our climate (Colorado) Geotextile is better in a damp climate and it’s hard to keep the stuff at the right consistency in a desert. It’s what we’ve got at the Horse Park here and I hate the stuff. Others like it, so…
My horse LOVES the Airfoot, CF’s and crumb rubber/sand. We just attended a show at Estes Park and rode in one of their sand rings. Horsie went well in it.
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Following, I have an outdoor that is washed coarse sand. I am considering putting a roof over the arena and have been trying to decide what to mix with my sand. Very windy here so I am concerned about it blowing away…
Don’t like: Wood products, i.e. shavings, wood chips, anything that breaks down to make dust and is slick.
Love: anything that is consistent and not too deep 
Really, I can put up with many footings as long as the base has integrity.
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What is Nike Airfoot? Never heard of it.
Friends around here seem to love Geotextiles. Am considering a wax coated geotextile. This is for an indoor in midwest. So non arid region but strong winter.
Thanks for the comments.
Airfoot is ground up Nike sneakers, I’m pretty sure. It originally came from Footings Unlimited. http://www.footingsunlimited.com/hybrid-footings/
Is the wax coated geotextile you are considering the kind that doesn’t ever need watering? I mean…is it wax coated sand mixed with textile?
You may want to look in the “Around the Farm” forum or do some search here as there have been lots of threads on footing.
I was super excited to move to a barn who had a sand mixed felt-whatever it is…turns out I’m not a fan of it at all. I think it has less to do with the felt and more to do with the lack of arena maintenance. The arena is too dry, uneven, and the sand chosen is too soft/silty, maybe it would be better if coarser? It would be better overall if it were tended to on a regular basis. The few times it has been wetted down it was better, but still is not dragged much if at all. End result is not cool.
I wish I knew what the KY Horse Park had in their little breeds barn arena - I’m not sure about anywhere else, but that specific barn has seemingly nice footing, except it’s a conductor! So certain times of the year, while you’re riding you reach down to pet your horse and ZAP - shock them!
It’s an outdoor ring, doesn’t need to be hosed down, has the carpet fibers/sand etc
Nike Airfoot is ground up sneaker rubber. Usually mixed with sand. Colorful stuff due to the colors sneakers are made in. Cushy! Expensive, though, I’d imagine.
Hey there! I’ve been in the same boat trying to figure out the best footing for my arena. I used to hear good things about Airfoot, but it looks like they aren’t around anymore.
I recently rode at a local AZ barn with something called Levitare from PerformanceFooting, and honestly, it’s been great. It’s got a really nice balance of cushion and stability. Definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for Airfoot
Hope that helps! 
