I bought a farm last spring and am trying to figure out the best way to improve and maintain the grass area I have fenced off to use as my “arena”, while staying within my minuscule budget. It’s a pretty large area (2+acres) where I can set up jumps and a dressage ring. The area had been used as pasture and was pretty over grazed. I put some grass seed down and have kept horses off of it ever since. It started filling in, but I’d like to put more seed down this spring. When I rode on it over the summer, it was pretty slick when dry so I used studs when jumping. Our soil is black clay. Any advice as to what type of grass I should plant as turf? Is there a way to make it less slick? There are only a few of us at my farm that will ride on it and we’ll move things around (including the dressage ring) quite a bit to avoid tracks. I have a chain harrow…would that help to keep things smooth? Or a roller? I think I can borrow one if needed. I’d like to eventually be able to have some schooling shows, but want to make sure the footing is decent before doing so. It’s such a large area that excavating is not an option at this point. I’m not looking for anything fancy, just advice to make the most of what I have. I’d love to hear input.
Talk to your County Extension Agent. They can give you information on the best grass types, maintenance practices, etc. At a minimum you should pull a soil test (Extension can tell you how to do that, too) and plan on appropriate fertilizer and lime. You don’t note where you are and that makes a BIG difference in what you do.
Start with Extension and go from there. Good luck in your project! 
G.
Grass can be slick when dry. Our sand ring has grown a grass center with seed blown in. We do graze it as well as regularly mow it to keep the weeds down. Horses are usually shod with pin studs, which give some grip on grass and mud.
You have to accept that using the area “will leave marks” on grass and dirt. The more it is used, the more bare spots and wear patterns will happen. Pretty unavoidable. Fertilizing will help growth, mowing will make tougher grass roots by preventing all growth going into leaves. Mowing too short will let roots get sunburned, injured by sharp hooves when using it. Probably a 4 inch height would work out. Try it and see. Might need to go to 5 inch if grass doesn’t do well.
We have marks around the edge of ring, a centerline because we use those places the most. Husband does not want it fertilized so ring continues to drain very fast with the sand base. Volunteer grass is extremely tough under heavy use, no idea what grass varieties are growing. Chain harrow is helpful, just will not level up sand or dirt. Chain follows the roll of the land, for smoothing dirt. Husband built an arena machine that both levels, smooths and moves built up areas. It REALLY has done wonders on our sand in getting back to good footing. He copied a machine used at a commercial show ground that is known for good footing in their arenas.
Your Extension service should be able to help after getting a soil test done. Perhaps seed used in sports fields would be tougher under hooves? It might be high in sugar like many lawn grasses, if you plan to graze the area at all. I don’t have enough acreage to not use all my fields. The arena is my winter sacrifice for one herd, great drainage, not going to damage anything when wet in spring.
This is meant kindly. We all wish our horse farms to be picture perfect, lush grass, nice fences, slick, shiny horses. Sometimes that just is not achievable within the constraints of time, money, what we have to work with. My farm acres are for the horses. Making them productive is MY first concern, so horses have great grazing, exercise when playing in the fields. Perfection just is not possible to look like a post card picture. Safe fences, time to actually ENJOY using the horses is a priority. Make sure you don’t forget to enjoy your horse time, make them time, along with needed chores on a well-run farm.
