Anyone know of any options available in Canada that don’t cost an arm and a leg and a first born child? Looking for something to provide more cushion and traction, we have been using a sand shaving mix but the shavings need to be replaced too often and cause dust.
LOL you are asking for the impossible. Rich people throw money at the problem, but even this does not always make for the best footing (often too deep and too soft, causing soft tissue injuries). People who are not rich do the best we can with what we’ve got. Anything you use will wear out in time, and need upgrading. Footing that works is made up of a firm packed non slip base (crushed rock, compacted), topped by a cushion layer, which is characteristically made of angular sand (to add weight and traction) white sand looks nice, a clay component (to cause the footing to hang together, not be loose and cuppy), and an organic component, for cushion/spring and water retention. Your cushion layer should be 3 or 4 inches thick.Then you add water, and work it regularly. And replace or refresh whatever component seems to be lacking or worn out. Too much sand will result in a sandbox and slippage with cuppy footing. Too much clay compacts too much. Most of the option is in what you use for the organic component, running shoe trimmings, leather, rubber, felt, sawdust, peat, etc. Each has a time limit until it wears out/decomposes/blows away. The expensive stuff comes from Europe in bales. The inexpensive stuff is what you can find locally. Which you choose depends on your bank account and availability in your area. Spending lots of money and choosing the latest stuff being marketed and promoted doesn’t mean that it won’t wear out. If you are not rich, you must choose what is locally available to you, and affordable. I use sawdust, it’s OK but not fancy. Fir sawdust will last longer than pine does. Riders who come in to ride with us often remark that they like the footing we have. It was all free, actually, except for the compacted base. We have a good base. If you have dust, add more water, more often, and work it with harrows or grooming tool. Or, if you don’t have the water, use salt (MgCl2) to suck water out of the atmosphere.
Is this indoors? Rubber can be an alternative. It’s cheaper than fabric but it often floats away depending on your grade
this company is in Midwest US and will tell you how much you need depending on ring dimensions and depth. I believe they ship it LTL and you have to spread it. Not sure what if any duty to Canada
http://www.therubberman.com/equine-products/arena-footing.html
Your answer is rubber. It lasts forever (actually one of the problems with it environmentally with tires), it’s usually recycled, and it’s bouncy and squishy without making the footing deep.
Yes, it can float, but at least where I live that hasn’t been an issue. And usually it’s one of the least expensive additive options.
