Discussion on Outdoor Arena Footing and Lights
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| Author |
Message |
    
Susan Crockett
New Member
Username: drayton
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2008
| | Posted on Friday, Oct 31, 2008 - 11:24 pm: |   |
Hello,
I have two questions! I would very much appreciate help in clarifying what type of sand to use for an outdoor arena that is 110 by 200 and is primarily used for english riding disciplines. We currently have 6 inches of bluestone as a compacted base but it gets really hard if it isn't constantly watered and dragged. From what I can see I should put about 2 inches of a softer top footing but am still uncertain as to what type of sand to use. I am in the Maryland area if
anyone has any vendors they can recommend. I want to provide a safe footing for my horses as economically as I can.
My second question: if I was to install arena lights for night time riding, how many lights at what wattage should I install? Again my priorities are safety and economically feasible.
Thanks so much,
Susan |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 3091
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, Nov 1, 2008 - 9:06 pm: | |
Hi Susan, I had a thread awhile back about outdoor arenas and footing, I'm pretty sure somewhere in there the mention of the type of sand different people have used is in there. Though I'm not sure if 2 in. might be too deep. When I asked Dr.O. thought it was. I think he said 3/4 of an in. to hopefully avoid tendon/ligament injuries. Can't help you with lighting, but I think there is a thread about that too. Here's mine if you care to read it.
http://www.horseadvice.com/horse/messages/3/245821.html |
Susan Crockett
New Member
Username: drayton
Post Number: 2
Registered: 10-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, Nov 2, 2008 - 9:22 pm: | |
Thanks Diane! I'll take a look at that. Our biggest concern at this point is that our current footing, while an excellent compacted base, is really too hard for the final footing and that is why I thought sand might be good for the top coat to act as a cushion. I'm concerned that if I don't put enough top footing on it when we go to drag, it will cut into the compacted part. |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 3100
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Sunday, Nov 2, 2008 - 9:46 pm: | |
Susan I'm not sure what bluestone is, but it sounds something like the limestone I used. It does get hard! Would make a great base. From what I gathered from my thread is you should use a certain type of sand....washed I think. We disced my arena (limestone) a couple times this year then dragged over it, that made for very good footing and not hard. Lasted quite awhile, depending on the rainfall. We only had to disc it twice this summer and we had a lot of rain! Picked a small disc up cheap from a farmer. |
