For an arena the sand selected should HOLD some moisture.
We hear and see it advertised the so called well-draining arenas. REMEMBER if an arena drains well then it is also difficult to irrigate during dry periods.
If you have a poorly designed arena you will need to carry out intensive grading.
With a Capricorn EBB & FLOW arena maintenance requirement are kept to a minimum.
Any waxed arena surface consist of chemicals ( commonly a by-product of oil refining ) these chemicals could contaminate water streams.
The better a conventional arena drains - the more difficult it is to keep the sand moist.
That with a "conventional arena" with a fall for drainage purposes the sand washes down to the lowest point during heavy rain.
An Ebb & Flow arena requires less maintenance.
After HEAVY rainfall an Ebb & Flow arena is ready to ride on within 2 hours of the rain ceasing.
10mm of rainfall on an arena is 12,000l of water. With an Ebb & Flow System this water can be collected the same as water can be collected from the roof of a covered arena.
Providing a suitable Arena Surface is an important aspect of horse management that effects both performance and soundness.
SOILTEX is a unique / quality product that is manufactured by a well known and established ISO 9001 accredited fabric recycling company in Europe.
That for an EBB & FLOW arena you DO NOT need a base or irrigation system.
The terminology EBB & FLOW comes from the Dutch language “EBB & VLOED “ which means low and high tide.
SOILTEX minimises compaction and allows extended full movement and stride length in all gaits.
The structure of the SOILTEX mixed with the sand provides the required cushion and the mix of the multi denier fibres mimics the root system of grass.
If the riding surface is TOO HARD there will be insufficient hoof rotation, increased chance of sliding and excessive concussion.
The hoof of the horse makes contact and leaves the riding surface in different speeds and gaits. From canter which is asymmetrical to a piaffe and passage which is symmetrical.
For an EBB & FLOW arena you do not need any kind of gravel or mat/s under the sand surface.
If a horse is restricted in its natural hoof slide injuries could occur.
A horse that is used to being worked on a good riding surface (imported horse) will deteriorate quickly when be worked on an inferior surface.
Photos taken from a horse on a light/er coloured sand surface show much better than on a darker surface.
If you don’t have to worry about spending time irrigating your arena you can ride more horses and increase your income - EBB & FLOW system does this for you.
That an area surface which is too hard results in excessive concussion of your horses joints.
That a deep arena surface puts alot of strain on the tendons of your horse.
If your arena is built to drain very quickly after rain - this same arena will require alot of irrigation during dry periods.
An arena base which is permeable drains the water out of the sand layer - this means alot of water is required to keep the riding surface moist.
When you loose the fines in the sand the surface becomes unstable underfoot and will not hold water when you irrigate.
The brown water that drains from the surface of your arena contains all the fines from the sand. These fines are there to provide the correct sand particle size distribution.
To add so called "Metal Dust" does not improve drainage - it will however make the sand a packing sand resulting in a surface that will compact easily.
Arenas with a "Crown Shaped" base for better drainage are difficult to maintain - in general the surface on the Centreline gets thin and the tracks too deep and heavy.
Well draining arenas are also difficult to irrigate.
On a hard surface the horse could slip forward as well as backward by take off.
