Maintaining the right moisture in a riding arena isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s critical for dust control and the health of horses and riders. A dry, dusty arena poses serious respiratory risks: fine particles irritate airways and can lead to coughing, asthma, or even chronic lung issues like heaves​.

Dust clouds also irritate horses’ eyes and create an unpleasant, hazy environment for training. Beyond health, moisture is vital for footing quality. Adequately watered footing keeps sand grains bound together, preventing slippery or deep spots​. In short, arena hydration is a must – it tames harmful dust and preserves a safe, stable surface for hooves. But how can you keep an arena damp without wasting water, time, and money? This is where modern self-watering arena solutions shine.

Challenges of Traditional Arena Watering

Arena owners have tried every method to suppress dust – with mixed results. Hand-watering with hoses or lawn sprinklers is common but inefficient. As one rider lamented, dragging hoses around a large arena “takes all day” and still “never waters evenly”, leaving some areas soaked and others dry​. Overwatering certain spots can even damage arena infrastructure (for example, rotting kickboards from repeated soaking​.

Water trucks or trailer tanks can cover more ground but come with high labor and fuel costs, and require driving heavy equipment across the footing. It’s easy to oversaturate or miss sections unless the driver is extremely careful. And while water carts can double for farm tasks like field spraying, most aren’t purpose-built for precise arena irrigation, leading to inconsistent results.

Installed sprinkler systems (overhead or in-ground) provide automation but at a steep price. Laying pipe and sprinkler lines in an arena costs thousands of dollars – about $1.35 per square foot on average​– which quickly adds up for a standard arena. These systems need winterization in cold climates and maintenance to fix broken pipes or clogged heads. In fact, underground arena sprinklers can crack in winter and leak, requiring costly repairs and downtime​. Traditional systems also tend to spray beyond the arena or into the air where much water evaporates, wasting water.

The drawbacks are clear: manual and older watering methods cost time, waste water, and often fail to keep dust truly under control. As arena experts note, many of these methods are “less than adequate” and leave arenas either too dry or unevenly wet​. What’s needed is a solution that delivers even, controlled moisture with minimal effort and expense. Enter the new generation of self-watering arena irrigators.

Self-Watering Arena Systems

Modern self-watering solutions for arenas – essentially portable, traveling sprinkler systems – are game changers for dust control. These systems, often called arena irrigators or traveling sprinklers, automate the watering process while avoiding the pitfalls of both manual watering and built-in sprinklers. They connect to a simple water source (like a spigot or hose) and propel themselves along the arena, laying down water evenly as they go. Because they move, they cover the whole arena in a single run without needing labor to reposition sprinklers.

Notably, these units are usually completely water-powered. A turbine drive uses the water pressure from your hose to reel in the sprinkler cart at a controlled pace, so no external power or fuel is required​. This means low operating cost and no engines or electrical components to maintain. The water pressure both propels the unit and feeds the sprinkler – and advanced designs ensure all the water goes into watering (there’s no excess water dumped out in driving the mechanism)​. In other words, no water is wasted on the machine’s operation.

Crucially, these systems deliver uniform, adjustable coverage. As the unit travels, it lays down water evenly without the over-lapping or gaps you get with fixed sprinklers​. You can adjust the speed (and thus water application rate) to suit your footing’s needs – a slower pass applies more water, a faster pass applies less. The result is a consistent moisture level across your arena footing, corner to corner, without puddles or dry spots. This consistency keeps footing firm and dust suppressed, creating an ideal riding surface.

Time savings for the arena owner are enormous. A traveling arena sprinkler runs unattended once you set it up, so you can literally “set it and forget it”​. Instead of spending hours dragging hoses or driving a tractor, you can do other chores while the arena waters itself. The unit will automatically shut off at the end of its run​, giving you peace of mind that you won’t flood the arena. As a bonus, these systems are portable – you can roll them out when needed for your paddock, runs or dry lots, and store them away from the arena when not in use, keeping your riding space clear.

To summarize, a quality self-watering arena system provides:

  • Even, controlled watering: No more dry corners or oversoaked spots – the entire arena gets a balanced “rainfall”​. This optimizes dust control and footing traction.
  • Water efficiency: By moving and targeting the footing, it avoids overspray and repeat watering of the same area. Every drop goes to controlling dust, minimizing water waste​.
  • Labor savings: Fully automated operation means no daily dragging of hoses or manual sprinkler moves. Users report dramatically reduced watering time and effort with traveling sprinklers​.
  • Lower cost & maintenance: No permanent pipes or electrical lines are needed. You sidestep the high installation cost of built-in systems​ and eliminate the risk of burst underground pipes in winter​. Maintenance is as simple as occasional lubrication and offseason storage – far easier than repairing irrigation lines or hauling water tanks.
  • Power-free propulsion: These units run on water pressure alone, requiring no gas or electricity to move​. This not only saves energy costs, but also makes them eco-friendly and simple to use anywhere you have a water source.

It’s no surprise that self-watering arena irrigators are quickly becoming the go-to solution for horse arenas in dry climates or any facility looking to improve footing care. They marry the consistent coverage of an installed sprinkler system with the flexibility and low cost of portable equipment. One such system stands out as an ideal choice for arena owners:

The Sprinklair Arena Irrigator

One of the newest options on the market offered exclusively at Performance Footing, is the Sprinklair, a self-watering solution now tailored for equestrian arenas. This compact automatic sprinkler cart embodies all the benefits described above – and raises the bar with smart design features for even greater efficiency. It offers a superior combination of water savings, convenience, and cost-effectiveness that traditional watering systems can’t match.

Superior dust control with minimal water

The Sprinklair comes with continuously variable speed settings (CVT), allowing you to fine-tune how much water is applied during each run. By simply setting your desired water pressure and speed, you can ensure the arena gets enough moisture for dust suppression without over-watering​. This precision prevents water waste. The system even includes a handy reference chart on the machine that lets users calculate exactly how many gallons are used– giving you insight into consumption and further optimizing efficiency. Every drop is used purposefully to create a safer, dust-free riding environment.

No costly infrastructure needed

This irrigator completely eliminates the need for in-ground sprinklers or elaborate plumbing. It’s an “above-ground” mobile solution that you can set up in minutes. Simply wheel the cart to one end of your arena, pull the sprinkler nozzle cart to the opposite end, and turn on the water. The device’s internal turbine drive will start reeling itself (and the sprinkler) back, watering as it goes​. Because it’s a direct alternative to underground systems, you avoid the expensive installation and the potential for burst pipes in winter​. When not in use, just roll the unit away – no permanent hardware left in the arena. This makes it perfect for seasonal arenas or anyone renting/lease a facility where you can’t install permanent sprinklers.

Set-and-forget convenience

The Sprinklair was designed to save time for busy horse owners. Once you’ve set the speed and turned it on, it requires no further attention. It will methodically water the arena and then shut off automatically when finished, thanks to an automatic stop mechanism​. The hose guide ensures it winds up neatly without tangling​. This means you don’t have to stand by or make multiple trips to turn water on and off – a huge time saver on farms where labor is precious. In practical terms, what used to be an hours-long chore can now be accomplished in a single unattended pass. Your arena gets watered while you feed horses, teach lessons, or simply relax.

Large coverage, compact package

Don’t be fooled by the unit’s small footprint – the Sprinklair has a 131-foot hose length, which gives it a reach to cover even full-size arenas. In fact, one setup can irrigate up to about 11,500 square feet of arena area in one go​. For many outdoor arenas, that means one placement of the cart will handle the entire ring. If you have a very large arena, you might reposition it once to cover another section, but it’s still far less work than moving standard sprinklers around every 20 minutes. The device’s portability also means you can share it between multiple arenas or even use it on adjacent lawns or pastures – a versatile investment for a farm.

Built for durability and value

This arena irrigator is constructed with heavy-duty components like a steel chassis and rugged hose designed for high water pressures. It carries a 1-year warranty on the cart and hose, reflecting confidence in its longevity. Priced at $649, it delivers professional-grade dust control at a fraction of the cost of installing permanent sprinklers (which, as noted, can run into the thousands​. Its low water usage also means it’s friendly to both the environment and your water bill – an important factor in arid regions where water conservation is a priority​. With the Sprinklair, you truly get “more arena, less arena maintenance.” It epitomizes the self-watering solution: minimize water waste, skip the expensive irrigation install, and save your time for the things that matter – riding and horse care. By keeping your arena consistently watered with almost zero hassle, this tool helps you deliver a superior riding experience. Your horses breathe easier with less dust, your footing stays resilient, and you spend minutes instead of hours on arena prep. It’s a win-win for any equestrian facility.