Ten Considerations for Building Your Dream Arena

Having a reputable, experienced contractor build your arena is imperative. A contractor who has experience using the proper materials, techniques and equipment will make all the difference in the success and longevity of your arena. Gather references and as much information as possible to ensure you have selected the right contractor for the job!

We have installers throughout the US and Canada that we work with regularly to ensure that our product is being installed properly on a quality base. Fields and Footings in Massachusetts, Ballard Construction with multiple locations throughout the US, Lawton Adams Construction in Westchester County, NY, Bear Excavating of Calgary, and Marco Clay of Toronto to name a few. Contacting us for a reputable installer in your area is the first step in the process of building your dream arena!

We have been creating dust free footing for over 20 years. Through years of continuous research and development we have mastered each product to fit specific riding disciplines. Not only do our dust free footings create safe and durable riding surfaces, they also require minimal maintenance. No more dragging hoses, expensive irrigation systems or mag applications. Spending less time maintaining your footing allows you to spend more time doing what you love, riding. We can help you get the absolute most out of your footing. To find out which dust free product is right for you, contact us.

There are multiple ways to build your outdoor arena, from high tech ebb-and-flow watering systems to a traditional stone dust base with basic drainage. The most important thing is that the arena is built with the properly compacted materials at the proper grade. The two types of base we generally install are a traditional compacted stone base, or a free-draining base. A traditional stone dust base with the proper pitch is very functional and works mostly with surface drainage. Additional drainage is often added to the interior sides of the arena to direct that water elsewhere. A free-draining stone base is a loose aggregate base that is porous, so the water is able to flow straight down through the footing and base to drainage below. This drains much quicker and is more effective after a heavy rainfall. A properly constructed base with adequate drainage will keep your arena rideable throughout the year.

Matting systems for your arena have become the newest and most innovative addition to riding arenas. There are many different mats on the market currently, and all serve a different purpose.

Our EBUS mats (Equestrian Buffer Underlayment System) have been a game-changer in the world of equestrian footing. They can be installed both indoors and outdoors, and enhance the performance of our excellent footing products. Added cushion, reasonable cost, and easy installation are all benefits of these mats. Through extensive scientific testing, these mats have shown excellent results to improve your horses’ performance and reduce risk of injury.

Additionally, the OT-40 mat is an excellent mat that will help reduce concussion and improve drainage. It is useful over a free draining base outdoors, as it allows water through the mat very quickly and adds stability to your base layer. We have also found this mat especially useful in round pens and small arenas where added strength and traction may be needed. Both of these products need 5 inches loose of footing over the top to preserve your mats integrity.

Grids are another type of mat that we generally use over interior drains within the arena. They are amazing for dry paddocks, around watering systems in fields, and on any steep grade where erosion may occur. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but are solely used for drainage and stability, adding no concussion value to your riding arena.

Maintenance is a key factor in determining your footing’s performance and longevity. We have some recommendations that we encourage our clients to follow once the footing is installed and our job is done.

Grooming: “The amount of arena grooming required is dependent on the footing. A footing that compacts easily will require more dragging, which also means burning more fuel, more wear and tear on your tractor, worn out teeth on your groomer, etc. It does add up. Dust-free footing generally requires less grooming, but of course all grooming depends on use and weather.” – Lawton Adams of LAC. For water-dependent products, daily watering with harrowing is essential. We work closely with Carolina Arena Equipment who supplies us with all of our Drag-N-Fly harrows for a perfect finish.

Laser Grading: Annual laser grading by an experienced contractor is crucial. Laser grading will keep your footing at a consistent depth, protect your base, and prevent injury. Consult with your contractor during your annual laser grade to ensure you are maintaining your footing properly and to address any questions you may have.