How to convert sand ring into grass

[QHEventer]

Is it possible? Ring currently has a base of compacted screenings topped with sand. How would I go about this?

Backstory: Ring was put in when property was purchased and meant to be a temporary riding space until more land was cleared for permanent arena. Ring is adjacent to pastures and I’d like to have the ability to still ride there on occasion while also having additional grazing space.

Would sand need to be removed? My thought was to spread it composted manure and mix it in with the sand and then seed the heck out of it…

[NancyM]

Sounds like a good plan. I’ve converted my outdoor ring to grass too. It was never really fancy footing, just rototilled native soil- peat based and well drained sandy soil- I just found it was too cuppy, and dusty (since I can’t get water onto it often- only when our irrigation guns on the hayfield next to it get close enough in their cycle). I added sawdust in a hard spot (not that there was much of a problem with this- just one spot), and dug out a soft spot that was often wet (filled that with sand). I rototilled it, not deep, but just to level it out. It had originally been part of a hayfield, but not really a manicured hayfield, and I’ve never had any actual engineered “footing” brought into it. So just “turf” before I started riding in it, and adding stuff, and rototilling and harrowing. But as I say, it was a bit cuppy. So I seeded it with grass seed. I seeded it in the fall, hoping that things would sprout in the spring when the snow was off. Don’t know how much of it actually did sprout… but the native grass has encroached, and this is very good. “Cooch grass” has a deep mat of roots, and is very resistant to drying out, or traffic. It might die down or get worn, but you can’t kill it, and it will always re-sprout when conditions improve. So, it’s taking a while, but it is spreading, and looking better now. I rode in it a couple times this summer, and that deep pad of roots under the surface was good footing (my horses are barefoot, and it’s usually only me using it). Seemed to have decent traction, and held together under the footfalls.

I did graze it a bit this summer, but my mares decided that they needed a “rolling spot” out there, and dug a spot up for this purpose (very bad girls!!!). So I filled that depression this fall with more sandy topsoil, and I will probably not be letting them out there next summer. I’ve run the brush hog mower over it a couple times this year, and spot treated some weeds (burdock- GRRRRRR!!!). And no, it’s not going to be an international competition grass ring, but is should be OK for me. Hopefully an improvement. Cheap to do.

So, good luck with your seeding and planting plans. Yours will probably be nicer than mine, more level etc. I would not remove the sand, just seed it. Fertilizer works too, if necessary.

[LCDR]

I would have topsoil trucked in to cover the sand with an inch. More would be better, but screened topsoil is about $500 a load (about 15 cubic yards) where I live. Then I’d use an arena drag to mix the topsoil and about 1-2 inches of the arena sand. Then sow a winter grass seed, like an annual rye grass. Apply fertilizer as recommended by your county agricultural extension agent. Next spring seed or sprig with the warm season grass of your choice. I think you are looking at a 2 year time frame to establish a grass arena than can handle horse traffic.

I watched this process for a sand dressage arena at the farm across the road from me. At 3 years it looked really good. But then the farm was sold and the new owner had the grass arena removed and a GGT arena put in.

[QHEventer]

This is super helpful, thank you both

@NancyM Yeah, like yours, mine doesn’t need to be anything fancy. It’ll primarily be used by a retiree for light work once in a while! I haven’t heard of “cooch grass” before, I was thinking of seeding mainly with fescue since in my area it’s super hardy and holds up well to lots of hoof traffic, but I’m open to other ideas of course!

@LCDR Good idea, I’ll look into topsoil, although I’m not wanting to really put more money into this ring at the moment! That’s why I figured I’d spread composted manure instead! But, if it’s financially feasible I’m sure it would make a big difference!

[candyappy]

How do you keep the footing good during the wet months or softer when it is bone dry? I only ride in pastures/ fields( well drained) and I don’t see how you would have the ability to ride as often or keep the footing as comfortable for the horse as sand would be?

Just wondering.

[Tarlo_Farm]

Your plan is sound. Just make sure you only want to ride “occasionally”. If you ride often on grass, you’ll wear paths that make it difficult for your horse to do lateral work, because they have to lift themselves out of the path.

[LilRanger]

It’s use whatever grass is happy in your area.

[QHEventer]

@candyappy

How do you keep the footing good during the wet months or softer when it is bone dry? I only ride in pastures/ fields( well drained) and I don’t see how you would have the ability to ride as often or keep the footing as comfortable for the horse as sand would be?

Just wondering.

As I said in my OP, a new area has been cleared for a larger, covered ring which will be my primary arena. So, I don’t plan on using this ring often…but I like the idea of having a small derby field with some xc jumps set on grass to use once in a while to switch things up, when the footing is ideal. My hope is since it has a proper base and sand footing, it will still drain well with grass on top, as well as not get as hard as riding in a pasture would.

[candyappy]

@QHEventer

As I said in my OP, a new area has been cleared for a larger, covered ring which will be my primary arena. So, I don’t plan on using this ring often…but I like the idea of having a small derby field with some xc jumps set on grass to use once in a while to switch things up, when the footing is ideal. My hope is since it has a proper base and sand footing, it will still drain well with grass on top, as well as not get as hard as riding in a pasture would.

Now that you explain it all ( pretty vague in the OP) it makes more sense to me. I can see how it would be beneficial.

[Robin]

In addition to mixing manure with the sand, you might consider planting red clover or whatever equivalent your extension advisors suggest works in your region. Clover fixes nitrogen and will add additional fertilization over time. It also will self reseed and has fairly deep roots. It is a favorite of our equines for snacking but has the downside of causing slobbers in damp weather.