Is it okay to have shells mixed in arena?

[taylorelaine]

We had our arena done a few months ago, and it hasn’t been dragged yet. And, since I don’t have my horses at home, it also hasn’t been ridden in yet either.

We’re planning to start dragging it this week, but because it has been sitting untouched since being steam rolled, we’ve noticed that a layer of broken shell pieces has risen to the top of the sand. These shell fragments are spread across the entire surface of the arena.

My dad wants to scrape them off before dragging and mixing them in, but before he does that, I wanted to check if it’s even necessary. Does it matter if we leave them as they are and just drag over them? Are they supposed to be there, and do they serve a purpose?

In the picture, you can see the shell pieces on top, and when you dig a little, it’s just sand underneath. It seems like the shells must have risen to the surface after the few rains we had. My dad was planning to use the blade part of the rake to sift through the top layer of sand and collect them.

The arenas at other barns I’ve ridden at didn’t usually have shells like this, so I don’t know if this is normal or not, or if it even matters. The entire top layer of our arena is just broken shells. Maybe it’s because it hasn’t been dragged or ridden in yet, and it’ll get mixed in and broken down once it has.

We did have the sand screened before it was put in, so maybe the shells are supposed to be there and are fine to leave. Is it okay to drag the arena as it is now, or is removal necessary?

[trubandloki]

There are not broken shells in sand where I live, but I can not imagine why you would need to remove them.

[Bonnie2]

Agree. Shells might even help with compaction.

[Mosey_2003]

I would be more concerned if the sand is river/beach sand like I would assume since there are shells. That’s going to be slippery. I’d probably leave the shells and keep an eye on how the horses do as far as grip/sliding.

[Demerara_Stables]

Do you live in Florida? That looks exactly like every driveway/beach made with dredged sand I’ve seen there. Given I rode on driveways that looked like that for years with no issue, I’d say leave it in. Might actually keep the footing tighter with less water. 🤷

[Calvincrowe]

Our river sand here in the PNW has fresh water clam shells in it frequently. I can’t see a need to remove them, small as yours appear to be. As you work the ring, they’ll mix in, as well.

[mmeqcenter]

I had an arena builder try to sell me on crushed shell footing in Florida, saying it was very popular. I never saw a ring what that footing but I don’t see why those tiny shells would be a problem