When you think about all the things that go into keeping a healthy horse, you probably focus on the basic–good food, vet visits, and regular exercise. However, something you might not be considering is the footing in your arena. The ground your horse moves on can make a huge difference in their safety and health. 

Small changes to the surface they move on can protect your horse and improve their performance. Let’s explore the best options for your arena.

Why Arena Footing is Important for Your Horse’s Health

Footing may not seem like something that contributes to the health of your horse, but it can be. The surface they walk, trot, or gallop on affects how they feel and move. Bad footing can lead to problems over time and real damage to your horse’s body.

How Poor Footing can Affect Your Horse’s Health

Think about running on hard pavement every day. Over time, this can result in feet, knees, and joint pain. The same thing is true for your horse when they run on hard or compacted footing. 

On the other hand, if the footing is too soft, your horse may have to work harder to move. This can cause muscle strain and fatigue. What should be a simple ride, can turn into a struggle, which makes injuries more likely.

Common Injuries from Bad Footing

Bad footing, whether too firm or too soft, can lead to injuries like tendon strains, ligament damage, and joint pain. Uneven surfaces can cause extra stress to their legs. Over time, a horse that doesn’t feel confident may move awkwardly, which increases the risk of injury.

Fortunately, the right footing can prevent many of these issues.

The Benefits of Choosing the Right Footing

Picking the right footing doesn’t just help prevent injuries. It also helps your horse perform better. Not to mention, it can also reduce stress on their joints, improve traction, and make it easier for them to move smoothly.

Reducing Joint Stress and Improving Stability

Good footing works for horses like a good pair of cushioned shoes work for humans. Shock absorption is critical for taking additional stress and pressure off their joints. Materials like FoamFooting™ and Levitare are great options not only for performance but also for providing cushioning during high-impact activities like jumping or dressage.

With the right surface, your horse will feel less strain and be less likely to get hurt.

How to Maintain Your Arena Footing

Even the best footing needs regular care to stay effective. Without maintenance, it can become uneven or lose its ability to cushion your horse’s movements. Regular upkeep will protect your horse’s movements. Regular upkeep will protect  your investment and keep your horse safe.

Regular Grooming

Arena grooming is one of the most important things you can do for maintaining your surface. Grooming tools help to smooth over the surface and keep the ground level. Regularly going over the surface can help to prevent deep spots from forming. This will also extend the life of your footing, so you won’t have to replace it as often. 

Check out some of our grooming pattern recommendations here: 

Incorporating Geocell With Your Arena Footing

Whether you choose FoamFooting™, Levitare, or any other of our footing materials, incorporating BaseCore geocell technology can improve your horse arena’s performance. BaseCore can prevent sinking and arena flooding all while providing the stable ground that your horse needs. 

With the help of BaseCore and footing that fits your needs, you can set yourself and your horse up for long-term success.

Watching for Wear and Tear

Over time, footing materials can wear down or shift, especially in heavy use areas. Check your footing regularly and look for signs of wear. Uneven or compacted spots in your arena may indicate it’s time to add more material to level the surface.

Protect Your Horses Health

The right arena footing is more than just a good surface for you to ride on–it’s an investment in your horse’s health. With Proper footing, you can prevent injuries, improve performance, and give your horse a safer, more comfortable place to train. Whatever blend of footing you choose for your arena, it’s important to understand that making the right choice and proper maintenance will pay off in the long run.

Explore Performance Footing’s range of products here and get expert advice on your arena.