Arena kickboard/footing wash out

[lilak357]

Well I’ve managed to thoroughly stress myself out. In the process of new arena (and dry lot) construction. Grading and footing is all complete, but I think I may have a fencing issue. The base is compacted/graded clay-based soil, with 4" of limestone screenings on top. The entire area/pad is covered in the limestone (arena and dry lots are adjacent) and then the arena has 2" of sand as well. While I was waiting for the fencing crew to move in, we had a BIG rain and I’m seeing a fair bit of washout of my sand. Originally we were relying on materials and slopes (crowned) for water management and not going to put a kickboard in, but now I’m thinking a 2x6 may be necessary.

Is that just going to create a pond? Is it necessary evil? Should I put the 2x6 then backfill with gravel?? So close to finally having this project done and I’m worried the last stretch is going to mess it all up.

[horsepoor]

What my arena builder recommends is to put the kickboards a couple of inches above the base (so there is a gap between board and base to allow the water to leave). It can be done as part of the fencing. You will still get the occasional washout but that is better than putting the boards directly on the base and creating a pond as the water has no way to leave.

[lilak357]

@horsepoor Thank you that’s what I suspected! Just to check- by base do you mean the clay or screenings level?

[Lucassb]

I put in kickboards around my arena and backfilled with gravel on the outside. Works great and still drains well.

[ToTheNines]

I disagree with leaving a gap under the footboards. You will get erosion (tunneling) under them.

I like my solution. I put in most of the base. Then did the arena fence with footboards, which are 2x6’s. Then another 2" or so of base and then the granite sand. So the footboards are only slightly above the footing. Rainwater mostly runs over the footboards and out of the arena. I am talkng Hurricane Harvey type rain.

My arena is a 1% grade from one long side to the other. So the “low” long side gets a bit wetter, but I just ride the quarter line for a day or two after a hard rain.

[Lucassb]

@ToTheNines

I disagree with leaving a gap under the footboards. You will get erosion (tunneling) under them.

I like my solution. I put in most of the base. Then did the arena fence with footboards, which are 2x6’s. Then another 2" or so of base and then the granite sand. So the footboards are only slightly above the footing. Rainwater mostly runs over the footboards and out of the arena. I am talkng Hurricane Harvey type rain.

My arena is a 1% grade from one long side to the other. So the “low” long side gets a bit wetter, but I just ride the quarter line for a day or two after a hard rain.

Yep, agree with this - my kickboards are on the ground (no gap.) I put them in specifically to prevent washout of my $$$ footing shortly after I had it installed and found that was otherwise going to be a problem. My arena is crowned so after extremely heavy rains, the edges of the long sides are typically wetter than the rest of the surface. Like TT9’s I just ride the quarter lines for a day or two if needed. My arena is 100’ wide so that is not a problem.

[horsepoor]

By base, I would mean the compacted screenings part. And while others may disagree with the gap, I’m pretty sure my arena builder knows what he’s doing (I think he’s up to 300+ arenas completed). But that is just one part of a whole design so it may not be the right choice for everyone.

[dleonessa]

We installed 2X10 and backfilled in order to avoid any erosion. We have covered arena so the issue for us is erosion along rail from riding.