Building an equestrian arena is a significant investment. While it is a place for riding, it also serves as the foundation for safety, performance, and durability. Yet, even the most carefully designed arenas face challenges like soil erosion, base shifting, and poor drainage. These issues create uneven footing, which can be unsafe for horses and riders and costly to repair.
So, how can you ensure your arena base remains stable and durable year after year? The solution lies in using the right materials—specifically, geotextiles. These specialized fabrics are affordable, effective, and easy to use. They help prevent damage, save money, and create a safe, reliable riding space.
Here, we’ll explore how geotextiles work and why they are essential for your arena construction.
What Are Geotextiles?
Geotextiles are not your average fabric. These are strong, commercial-grade fabrics made to stabilize soil, manage water, and stop layers from mixing. Unlike weed barriers or general-purpose fabrics, geotextiles are built for heavy-duty use in arenas.
Geotextiles act as a stabilizing layer between the sub-base and the arena base. This protects the layers and keeps them strong.
“This is a non-woven geotextile, six ounces in weight, which we recommend for arenas. It’s a commercial-grade product, not a weed barrier, and it is permeable.”
Here’s how they work:
- Separate Layers: Geotextiles keep the sub-base and footing layers separate.
- Stop Contamination: They act as a barrier to stop rocks or aggregates from mixing into the footing.
- Manage Water: The permeable fabric filters and diverts water to the edges of the arena.
Geotextiles make arenas last longer and create safer conditions for horses and riders.
How Geotextiles Address Arena Challenges
Geotextiles solve three major problems: soil erosion, base shifting, and drainage. Let’s look at how they help.
Preventing Soil Erosion
Soil erosion is a common issue caused by heavy rainfall and regular arena use. Over time, it weakens the base and creates uneven footing.
Geotextiles reduce erosion by allowing moisture to filter through the fabric while keeping the soil in place. They also direct excess water away from the arena and help reduce maintenance in your arena.
Stabilizing the Arena Base
A shifting base is unsafe and hard to fix. Geotextiles stabilize the base by creating a solid layer between the sub-base and the arena base.
The fabric creates a stabilization layer for your entire base, keeping the base from being pushed down and stopping aggregates from moving up into the footing.
Simplifying Drainage
Water management is a critical concern for arena owners. Poor drainage can lead to pooling water, mud build-up, and faster degradation of the base. Geotextiles simplify drainage by naturally filtering and directing moisture away from the riding surface.
“When designing an arena base with geotextiles and BaseCore, French drains are not needed.”
This efficient solution helps keep your arena dry and ready for use, regardless of weather conditions.
Building an Arena Base with Geotextiles
To maximize the benefits of geotextiles, it’s essential to integrate them correctly into your arena construction. Here’s a step-by-step guide to building a stable and durable base.
- Sub-base: Begin with a foundation of aggregate materials like decomposed granite.
- Geotextile Fabric: Lay the non-woven geotextile over the sub-base.
- Arena Base: Add a compacted layer of materials like BaseCore Geocell to create a solid foundation.
- Footing: Finish with your riding surface with footing additives that best fits your arena’s needs.
By following this process, you’ll create a base that stands up to the demands of daily use while reducing the need for costly repairs.
Why Choose Performance Footing for Your Arena?
When it comes to building or upgrading your arena, Performance Footing is your trusted partner. Here’s why:
- Expertise: With decades of experience, Performance Footing provides solutions tailored to the unique needs of equestrian facilities.
- Tailored Products: Their six-ounce non-woven geotextiles and BaseCore systems are designed for long-term performance.
- Commitment to Quality: Every product is engineered to simplify construction and extend the lifespan of your arena.
Explore Performance Footing’s arena stabilization solutions here.
Protect Your Investment with Geotextiles
Geotextiles address key issues like soil erosion, shifting, and drainage, helping you protect your investment and create a reliable riding environment for years to come. When you choose Performance Footing, you gain access to industry expertise and a commitment to quality that ensures your arena is built to last.
Ready to protect your arena? Contact Performance Footing today to explore our geotextile solutions and start building a foundation that stands the test of time.
Your arena deserves the best foundation. Let Performance Footing help you deliver it.
