Sand on top of uncompacted top layer of stonedust?

[MapleLeaf]

As my many posts indicate, rehabbing this dressage ring has been a learning process.

The ring seems to be nearly completely limestone stonedust. I had it basically leveled recently to see whether I actually need to scrape off and try to start from scratch. It actually is very nice when the arena is moist and drug with the dragnyfly arena drag.

However, because it seems to be almost all stonedust it is currently very, very hard in this dry weather. Watering this outdoor is not really an option. It’s a personal arena and I don’t have the time or energy to add watering to my chore list. I am okay with some dust, but I need a footing that is more forgiving.

So, do I just have this stonedust rolled to further compact what is present and then put some sand on top of it?

Or, do I just add some sand without compacting?

Or is there a footing additive or other option?

When the arena is moist and properly groomed, it feels lovely. So I am terrified of making the footing too deep by adding sand. (Even though with this dry spell it has been completely unridable due to how hard it is).

Please give me your sage advice. Thank you!

[Sweetums_Mom]

My DH and I created our own outdoor ring many years ago. After scraping off the top soil, we put about 6 inches of stone dust (we followed the Underfoot book guidelines) and then rode on it for a year and a half so no professional compacting equipment. I dragged it with a chain link harrow. It got really really hard but with the harrow drag it was sorta rideable. That’s the stage it looks like you are at now. I then put about 2 inches of sand and all was well. I just now added about 1.5 inches of sand over 16 years later and it’s great. Good luck!

[awaywego]

Heh, we are having the same problems. I have been looking at adding sand to mine as well. From what I understand from talking with all kinds of people, the overwhelming consensus is that it is best to mix the sand (concrete sand, to be specific) with the stone, not just add to the top. Maybe you could add stone as well as sand to mix? I am planning to add the rubber crumble…eventually…:o

[Tarlo_Farm]

If you feel it’s too hard to ride on as it is, it’s compacted enough. Put some sand on it. The “Underfoot” pamphlet mentioned above is priceless for advice. And I used Magnesium Chloride in my arena to keep the dust down. It doesn’t hurt hooves or leather and was a lifesaver as I HATE dust.

[SugarCubes]

I’m in the exact same boat right now, we did compact with a 3 ton roller, but we didn’t have access to water so it didn’t compact as well as I’d hoped. Like your ring, it’s too hard to ride on currently, but still loose in some areas. We’re having more loose stonedust spread on top today, and I plan to ride on that until it’s ready to mix with sand.

[MapleLeaf]

Thank you!

I actually have two copies of the Underfoot booklet (after misplacing the first). It has been a great resource. It’s just tricky since I did not build this ring and don’t exactly know how deep this stonedust is and what’s under it!

@Tarlo Farm Does the Mag Chloride wash away when used outside? It’s been a dry summer, but my area typically gets a lot of rain.

[Tarlo_Farm]

Oooo yeah, Mine was an indoor. Eventually it will wash away.