The riding arena is frozen solid

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

I wrote a big long post and edited to just focus on the issue and ask for solutions. 1/3 of indoor arena (middle) is frozen completely solid. Is there a way to fix this without creating a worse issue (chunks of ice)? IDK if mag chloride will work on ice like this? There is no way to work anything in, it would need to be topical. Forecast is highs in single digits, lows below zero.

Washing legs after riding is not feasible in these temps.

Any cost guestimates or best places to buy whatever you suggest is also appreciated.

[enjoytheride]

No, it just needs to thaw. Did someone water it right before it froze or is it moist? Mag Chloride will just pull more moisture into the footing. In the winter you have to time your arena watering carefully, you can either ride in dust or not ride at all if you water before a freeze.

[cnigh]

I have used clay based non clumping non perfumed cat litter. It will break down the ice and mix into sand.

Plus it’s cheap and you can usually get it in bulk.

[merrygoround]

It will not hurt to throw some Mag Chlor on top of it. It is one of the better deicers.

It is used in the arena here, and no one has seen a need for washing legs down.

[merrygoround]

It will not hurt to throw some Mag Chlor on top of it. It is one of the better deicers.

It is used in the arena here, and no one has seen a need for washing legs down.

[sascha]

Feed grade salt applied heavily with a garden spreader will help. You can buy bags of it at feed stores.

[Mukluk]

Go skating? Out here we just have mud. It’s winter. Pick your poison!

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

Yes it was well watered and now we are below zero. Rock hard.

Mukluk, I hear you! but since I’m paying board specifically for an indoor for a horse I want to keep in training it’s kind of an issue. If I didn’t care I would just keep the horse home at my farm.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

For some reason I can’t go back an edit my last response, because I forgot to say cat litter? That’s really interesting!! I had no idea. Why does that work I wonder?

[Robin]

We have for several years added a half ton of feed salt to our 60x120 indoor arena footing each autumn to keep it from freezing (unheated indoor arena). We don’t even use a spreader, just hand cast it. Do keep it away from the walls (they are metal) but have had no problems. Our horses do spend much of their time outdoors so they self-wash their hooves in snow after being on the footing but we have never had any hoof or skin problems doing this.

[GoodTimes]

I would assume that kitty litter would work like the mag chlor by absorbing moisture. I would probably apply salt to melt the ice followed by something like mag chlor or kitty litter to absorb the moisture so it doesn’t re-freeze.

Depending on how big of an area you could always get a portable propane heater to thaw it in sections if you’re concerned about de-icers on the skin. But you’ll still have to keep it from re-freezing.