Understanding Sand: The Foundation of Quality Footing
When it comes to creating the perfect riding surface for your equine athletes, sand selection is arguably the most critical decision you’ll make. The right horse arena sand significantly impacts safety, performance, and longevity while the wrong choice can lead to respiratory issues, joint problems, and continuous maintenance headaches.
But sand isn’t just sand – there’s a science behind selecting the proper material that balances traction, cushioning, stability, and drainage. Each grain’s size, shape, and composition plays a vital role in how your arena performs under various conditions and disciplines.
Key Sand Properties That Matter
1. Particle Size Sand particle size can range from fine (about 0.05 mm in diameter) to coarse (up to 2.0 mm in diameter), with each size offering different performance characteristics. The size distribution directly affects how firm or loose your footing feels:
- Fine sand: Creates a firmer surface ideal for precise movements
- Coarse sand: Provides more cushion and is often preferred for disciplines requiring sharp turns
- Well-graded sand: Contains a balanced mix of particle sizes for optimal stability
2. Particle Shape Sub-angular sand is considered optimal for equestrian footing. Unlike the smooth, ball-bearing-like roundness of beach or river sand, sub-angular particles possess slightly flattened edges that interlock effectively. This creates a stable base while still maintaining cushioning through air pockets between grains.
Shape categories include:
- Angular: Excellent stability but can compact too quickly
- Sub-angular: Ideal balance of stability and cushion
- Rounded: Provides excellent cushion but may be too unstable alone
3. Cleanliness Quality manufactured sand requires proper washing to remove ultra-fine particles that create dust. The optimal manufactured horse arena sand should have less than 2% passing through a #200 sieve. Clean, washed sand reduces respiratory risks for both horses and riders while improving overall footing performance.
4. Mineralogy The type of minerals the sand is composed of determines how hard-wearing and long-lasting it will be. Silica and quartz sands are particularly durable because they’re made of very hard minerals, making them good investments especially for high-traffic facilities.
Common Types of Arena Sand
Now that you understand the important properties, let’s explore the main types of sand available for equestrian arenas:
Mason Sand
Mason sand is often recommended as a starting point for dressage and jumping horses, particularly when planning to add textile additives to optimize performance. It’s generally finer and more consistent than other options, providing excellent stability for precision movements.
Fine Mason Sand typically has no particles above 1/8 inch, features subangular to subround shapes, and contains approximately 1.5–3% fines. This creates a balanced surface that supports controlled movements while offering appropriate shock absorption.
River Sand
River sand is naturally occurring sand harvested from river beds. The water-tumbled nature creates rounded particles that provide different performance characteristics than manufactured options. While less stable on its own due to these rounded particles, river sand can be beneficial in specific applications.
River sand’s rounded particles make it less stable on its own compared to angular sands, often requiring additives for high-performance arenas. However, this characteristic can be beneficial for reining arenas or applications where some controlled movement is desirable.
Concrete Sand
WSDOT Class 2 Sand (concrete sand) is a coarse, washed sand with particles up to ¼ inch in size that ranges from subangular to subround and typically contains 1–2% fines. This type provides excellent drainage and stability but may require additives to achieve optimal cushioning for jumping disciplines.
In some cases, a well-balanced concrete sand can work for arenas, but typically, mason sand is easier to stabilize. Your discipline and maintenance capabilities should guide this choice.
Manufactured Sand
Manufactured sand (also called m10s) makes a firm compactable surface that adds to the traction of the horse. However, dust and compaction are the primary issues with using it. While cost-effective, these issues make manufactured sand generally less desirable as a standalone footing material.
Manufactured sand is very angular in shape, causing the particles to lock tightly together with a tendency to compact quickly. This requires additional maintenance and is often better suited as a base layer rather than footing.
Remember, the sand analysis report provided by Performance Footing offers specific sieve measurements for both indoor and outdoor applications. Taking this report to your local quarry will help ensure you receive sand that meets the precise specifications needed for optimal arena performance.
In the next section, we’ll explore how footing additives can transform basic sand into professional-grade arena footing that delivers superior performance for various disciplines…
Transforming Sand with Footing Additives
While selecting the right sand is crucial, even the best sand alone rarely provides optimal footing for most equestrian disciplines. Professional arena builders enhance horse arena sand performance through specialized products that transform standard sand into professional-grade footing. Let’s explore how additives can improve your arena’s performance:
Why Your Arena Needs Additives
Sand-only arenas face several common issues:
- Compaction – Over time, sand particles pack together, creating a hard, unforgiving surface that can increase concussion on your horse’s legs
- Dust – Particularly problematic in indoor arenas, dust affects both horse and rider respiratory health
- Inconsistency – Without additives, sand can shift unpredictably, creating unstable footing
- Moisture management – Sand either drains too quickly or retains too much water without proper additives
The right footing additives provide improved traction, enhanced cushioning, dust control, and consistency across your riding surface. This translates to better performance, reduced injury risk, and longer-lasting footing.
Popular Footing Additives
Natural Fiber Products
Noviun is a 100% organic fiber additive blended with natural elastomers to reduce concussion. It provides natural absorption and stability, with high water retention and all-weather compatibility, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor arenas. Unlike synthetic options, this natural fiber system creates an environmentally friendly solution that still delivers exceptional performance.
Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Rubber
Traditional crumb rubber from tires has long been used in arenas, but newer, more environmentally conscious options now exist:
Levitare is an innovative additive made from bio-based rubbers that provides excellent cushioning and shock absorption for horses. Beyond shock absorption, the fabrics hold onto water which reduces dust and watering needs.
EcoStride offers another natural alternative to tire rubber. These products bind effectively with sand to minimize dust by holding moisture within the footing system. This creates a more stable, consistent surface without the environmental concerns associated with recycled tire rubber.
Foam-Based Products
FoamFooting™ is an easy-to-apply arena footing additive effective for both indoor and outdoor arenas across different disciplines and geographies. Unlike rubber, it’s hypoallergenic, doesn’t crumble, doesn’t contain metal pieces, and doesn’t have the smell associated with rubber products.
Made from repurposed yoga mats, FoamFooting is a sustainable solution that provides benefits including zero chemicals, no discernible odors, resistance to discoloration of clothing, and importantly, it doesn’t crumble into dust.
Dust Control Solutions
Dust management is one of the most critical aspects of arena maintenance. Products like Dust Halt™ coat individual sand particles rather than clumping them together so they absorb moisture independently. Premium dust suppression products can reduce arena watering needs by up to 50%, with a single treatment lasting 6-12 months.
Plant-based fabrics and polymers like Levitare, backed by research from Texas A&M, bind the footing matrix, offering superior dust control and improved drainage as long-term solutions without relying solely on frequent watering.
Choosing the Right Sand and Additives for Your Discipline
Different equestrian disciplines place unique demands on arena footing. Here’s how to match your sand and additives to your specific riding needs:
Dressage
Dressage requires a consistent, supportive surface that allows for precise movements and good traction without being too deep. For dressage arenas, a finely graded sand that offers a balance between support and cushioning is ideal. This type of sand allows for precise movements and is less likely to compact too tightly, which can impede the horse’s ability to perform collected movements.
For optimal dressage footing, consider:
- Sand type: Mason sand or well-graded fine sand
- Recommended depth: 4-5 inches
- Ideal additives: FoamFooting, Levitare, and EcoStride are particularly well-suited for dressage applications, offering the perfect balance of stability and cushioning for precise movements
Jumping
In jumping disciplines, horses require sand that provides excellent cushioning to protect the joints during powerful takeoffs and landings. Coarser sand can be beneficial for its drainage properties, cushioning and slight give to prevent the surface from becoming too slick or packing, which is vital for safety during landings.
For optimal jumping footing, consider:
- Sand type: Medium to coarse sand with good drainage properties
- Recommended depth: 4-6 inches
- Ideal additives: Noviun, Levitare, and FoamFooting provide the perfect combination of shock absorption, stability, and energy return needed for jumping disciplines
Western Disciplines
Barrel racing and cutting horses typically prefer a looser, deeper coarse sand for adding protection in sharp turns. Additionally, amending existing arenas usually requires coarser particles to relieve compaction that happens over time.
For Western discipline footing, consider:
- Sand type: Coarser sand varieties that allow for controlled sliding
- Recommended depth: 3-5 inches, possibly deeper in turning areas
- Ideal additives: Levitare is particularly well-suited for western disciplines, providing the right balance of stability and controlled movement needed for quick turns and stops
Maintenance and Longevity
A final critical consideration is how your arena sand and additives will perform over time. Even the best materials require proper maintenance to perform at their best:
- Regular dragging: Prevents uneven compaction and maintains consistent footing depth
- Moisture management: Particularly important for outdoor arenas subjected to weather extremes
- Periodic assessment: Look for signs of compaction, excessive dust, or uneven footing
- Additive refreshment: Even long-lasting additives may need periodic replenishment
Remember that the Performance Footing sand analysis you have provides specific measurements for both indoor and outdoor applications. Taking this report to your local quarry will help ensure you receive sand that meets the precise specifications for optimal arena performance.
By understanding the science behind sand selection and how additives can transform basic sand into professional-grade footing, you’ll be able to create a riding surface that enhances performance while protecting your horse’s health and soundness for years to come.
Ready to transform your arena? Connect with our footing specialists who can help you select the perfect combination of sand and additives for your specific needs.