Winter can make managing your outdoor horse arena a big challenge. Frozen footing, uneven surfaces, and dust control problems can disrupt your riding schedule and make it unsafe for your horse while being costly to fix.
For arena owners, preparation is critical. Without it, you risk injuries, poor performance, and long-term damage. The good news is that there are steps you can take to prevent these issues. By preparing, you can protect your investment and ensure your arena stays ride-ready throughout the winter.
Here, we’ll show you how to prepare your arena for winter and protect it from the cold.
Understanding the Impact of Winter on Arena Footing
What Happens to Footing in Winter?
Cold weather poses unique challenges for arena footing. When temperatures drop, moisture in the footing freezes, causing sand to bind together. This leads to:
- Compacted Footing: A hard, unyielding surface that can strain horses’ joints.
- Uneven Surfaces: Bumps and divots created by freeze-thaw cycles.
- Reduced Traction: Frozen footing makes it difficult for horses to grip, compromising safety and performance.
Fortunately, these issues can be prevented with the right solutions.
“Arena footing can be protected from freezing or becoming overly compacted in cold weather by using an additive such as Foam Footing or Levitare. This separates the sand particles from becoming frozen together.”
Additives like Foam Footing maintain flexibility, ensuring your footing remains safe and consistent throughout the winter months.
Why Frozen Footing is a Problem
Unsafe footing puts your horse and rider at risk. Frozen or uneven ground can cause:
- Slips and falls, potentially causing injuries to horses and riders.
- Loss of confidence in horses, which can hinder training progress.
- Expensive repairs to fix footing damage.
By preparing for winter, you’ll avoid these problems and keep your arena safe and usable.
Now that we’ve explored why winter prep is essential, let’s look at the steps you can take to protect your arena.
Step-by-Step Winter Preparation for Your Arena
Step 1: Prevent Frozen Footing with Additives
Frozen footing is one of winter’s most challenging issues, but it can be prevented with the right additives. Products like Foam Footing and Levitare work by separating sand particles, keeping them from freezing together and compacting.
By maintaining flexibility and pliability, these additives ensure your footing remains safe, even in freezing conditions.
Step 2: Manage Dust During Winter
Dust control is another winter maintenance challenge, especially when regular watering becomes difficult. Dust Halt™ is a granular product that can offer an effective solution in cold weather.
“Dust Halt is a granular product that requires water to activate. Most customers in cold environments during winter will only water and reactivate it when it is above freezing.”
To maximize its impact:
- Water on Warmer Days: Use above-freezing periods to reactivate the additive and maintain dust control.
- Avoid Overwatering: Minimize watering during freezing conditions to prevent ice buildup.
Step 3: Avoid Common Mistakes in Product Choice
Not all products are good for winter use. Some may even cause more harm than good.
- Avoid Magnesium Chloride Outdoors:
While magnesium chloride (MAG) is popular for indoor arenas, we don’t recommend it for outdoor use. It can rust equipment, damage barn components, and dry out horses’ hooves. - Avoid Textile-Based Additives:
We suggest avoiding textile-based additives because they freeze easily and require consistent moisture to function properly, making them unreliable in cold, dry conditions.
Consult a Performance Footing expert today for personalized recommendations.
Long-Term Solutions for Winter Durability
Invest in Freeze-Resistant Products Like Arena Green
For long-term durability, a freeze-resistant product like Arena Green is an excellent choice to handle extreme temperatures.
“Complete footing solutions, like Arena Green have a much lower freezing temperature, making them a great choice for winter conditions indoors or out.”
Investing in products like Arena Green can cut down on maintenance and keep your arena in use year-round.
Upgrade Your Arena Base for Better Drainage
A solid base with drainage is critical for stopping water retention and freezing. Without it, even the best footing products can struggle to keep up.
To enhance drainage:
- Check Grading: Ensure the base has a slight slope to direct water away.
- Install Subsurface Systems: Add features like geocells and geotextile to improve water flow.
- Combine with Quality Footing Additives: Use freeze-resistant footing materials to add to your well-drained base.
These upgrades will make your arena last longer and perform better in any season.
Maintaining Your Arena Throughout Winter
Groom Regularly to Prevent Compaction
Consistent grooming is essential to maintain safe and even footing during winter. Regular use of an arena drag helps loosen compacted areas and redistribute footing evenly.
Schedule grooming sessions weekly or adjust based on usage and weather conditions to keep your footing in peak condition.
Monitor Weather and Plan Maintenance Around It
Winter weather can be unpredictable, but staying proactive makes a big difference.
- Groom on Warmer Days: Use these opportunities to address compaction and even out footing.
- Prepare for Freezes: Groom and water appropriately before temperatures drop to prevent icy surfaces.
Planning ahead and monitoring your arena ensures it stays in great shape no matter what the season throws your way.
Winter-Ready Arenas Start with Performance Footing
The cold-weather seasons can be challenging for outdoor horse arenas, but preparation makes all the difference. Maintain your footing with regular grooming and weather planning.
At Performance Footing, we’re here to help you tackle your winter challenges. From freeze-resistant footing to expert advice, we have the tools you need for your arena. Contact us today and discover how we can help you maintain a safe and high-performing arena—no matter the season. Let’s winter-proof your arena together!
