Selecting the right sand for your equestrian arena may seem like a minor decision within the scope of a large project. However, it should not be overlooked, as the proper sand can significantly impact the safety, comfort and performance of equine athletes. The right sand ensures a sound footing for horses, a more comfortable experience for the rider and an all-around safe surface for training and events.
As you consider the best sand for your equestrian arena or event facility, it is important to ask the right questions. With the proper information, you can be better prepared to choose sand that not only meets but exceeds your expectations for safety, performance and durability. This blog will provide an overview of important arena sand considerations, including sand composition, depth, maintenance and longevity.
Questions to Consider When Planning Your Equestrian Sand Project
1. Is it important to choose a type of sand based on the equestrian disciplines practiced at my facility?
Equestrian sand is not one size fits all. Rather, each discipline has unique needs that require specific types of sand. Whether it’s dressage, hunter/jumper, reining or eventing, the choice of sand — and the amount of moisture added — affects the athletes’ safety and performance.
- Dressage: 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. An ideal depth is about 4 to 5 inches to ensure enough shock absorption while maintaining a firm footing that doesn’t hinder the horse’s movements.
- Hunter/Jumper: In this discipline, horses require sand that provides excellent cushioning to protect the joints. A depth of 4 to 5 inches is suggested to support powerful takeoffs and safe landings. Coarser sand can be beneficial for its drainage properties, cushioning and slide to prevent the surface from becoming too slick or packing, which is vital for safety during landings. The higher the jump, the more supportive the footing must be. However, this will require more maintenance to keep the footing loose as it will have a natural tendency to pack.
- Reining: Reining requires a highly specialized dirt sand mix that has a hard-packed base that a horse can slide on. The top surface is 5 to 6 inches of fluff, comprised of dirt, clay and fine sand.
- Eventing: For eventing, which combines dressage and jumping, selecting the right type of sand is crucial due to the varied demands of these disciplines. The footing needs to meet the highest standards for stability, cushioning and drainage to handle the diverse requirements of each phase. A depth of 4 to 6 inches will help support the horse’s movements and provide enough cushioning to absorb impact.
The experts at Covia will work with you to offer tailored solutions based on your unique needs and can help you find an optimal choice if your facility, like many, is used for more than one discipline.
In addition to sand selection, a well-built base and effective drainage system are vital for the functionality and durability of riding arenas. For outdoor use, a stable base made of compactable materials like clean stone ensures drainage, prevents water pooling, supports the surface layer and promotes consistent footing.
2. What physical characteristics should I look for in equestrian sand?
Sand is not “just sand.” When selecting sand for equestrian arenas, it’s important to understand the differences between commonly available sands such as concrete sand, mason sand, and well-graded equestrian sand. Concrete sand is coarser and has larger grains, which help it bind and reduce the risk of cracking. Mason sand has a much finer texture and provides a smooth, compact surface.
Equestrian sand is specifically designed for horse arenas due to its unique properties, which balance firmness, drainage, stability and moisture retention.When choosing the right equestrian sand for your facility, consider the following key physical characteristics to ensure both performance and safety:
- Grain Size and Shape: Equestrian sand varies from sub-angular to sub-round to provide the desired compaction, drainage and stability. The shape is important for creating a firm riding surface that is comfortable underfoot and for preventing the sand from being too loose or too compact.
- Low Dust: To reduce respiratory risks for horses and riders, it’s important to select a clean washed sand to minimize dust production. Moisture and the use of dust-suppressing blends in arena footing can greatly mitigate these dangers. These blends help to bind the dust particles together, keeping them grounded and significantly reducing the amount of airborne dust. This not only enhances the air quality but also improves the overall safety and comfort of horses and riders.
- High Purity: High-purity silica sand is more durable and less likely to break down into fine particles that can become airborne.
- Effective Drainage: The sand should allow for proper water drainage, which is essential to maintaining a supportive and dry footing in outdoor tracks and arenas.
Covia offers a variety of BESTSAND EQ options, including products like EQ80 to meet these standards, providing a reliable foundation for any equestrian setting.
3. What does the grain fineness number mean?
The grain fineness number (GFN) provides an estimate of the grain size in each product. It’s calculated from a sieve analysis, which involves passing the sand through a series of sieves of known sizes. The size of the meshes in these sieves ranges from coarse to fine, as defined by standard metrics. The GFN is an average, providing a numerical value that reflects the overall coarseness or fineness of the sand.
This number helps in understanding how the sand will perform under various conditions and how much stability and compactness a particular sand will provide. For example, finer sands tend to compact more under pressure, while coarser sands might offer better drainage but less stability. Medium fine sand will provide enough firmness for a horse to push off during jumping and enough give to prevent joint strain during dressage.
BESTSAND EQ uses this measure to ensure consistency in its products over time and across locations. When choosing your equestrian sand, consider not only the GFN but also how it may relate to the specific requirements of your riding discipline to ensure optimal results.
4. How should I maintain my arena sand?
In addition to sand selection, proper maintenance, such as routine watering, grooming and the addition of moisture-retaining additives, can minimize dust and extend the life of your sand, ensuring optimal performance and longevity. The experts at BESTSAND are available to offer advice on maintenance techniques and tailored solutions that help preserve the quality of your arena surface.
5. When do I need to replace my arena sand?
Over time, sand can break down and become compacted, reducing its effectiveness in cushioning, and potentially increasing the risk of injuries. Regular assessments of the sand’s texture and depth are essential to determine its condition and whether it needs to be replenished or replaced.
6. How do I determine how much sand I need?
Determining the amount of sand needed for your horse arena involves a few key steps. First, measure the length and width of your arena to calculate the area in square feet. Then, decide on the depth of sand required, which can vary based on the type of equestrian activities planned. Pure sand arena depths range from 2 1/2 inches to 3 inches for basic riding to deeper layers for more specialized disciplines. Based on these measurements, you can estimate the volume of sand you will need.
The experts at BESTSAND can provide guidance on achieving the proper installation depth and calculating the amount of sand needed for your project.
7. How does sand get to my arena or track?
Understanding the logistics involved in shipping and delivering sand to your location is important when selecting sand for your facility. At BESTSAND EQ, you’ll work with one of our equestrian sand experts to choose your sand type and calculate the quantity you need. Then we’ll schedule delivery based on your availability. Planning ahead is important to ensure timely delivery and to allow the sand to be delivered as close as possible to the installation site to minimize further handling and transportation costs.
BESTSAND works with distributors who specialize in bulk material delivery. Our 18 mining and production facilities, located across the United States, provide a range of sand types. These strategic locations help reduce shipping costs and ensure reliable supply.
8. How can I avoid or mitigate common arena sand problems?
Selecting the wrong type of equestrian sand can lead to safety and performance problems, including excessive dust, looseness and an uneven surface. BESTSAND EQ offers solutions for amending an arena’s footing and provides expert advice for those who encounter problems with their current setup.
9. Why Choose BESTSAND™ EQ?
Our extensive selection, exceptional customer service, dependable quality, reliable supply and tailored solutions make BESTSAND EQ the go-to choice for equestrian professionals worldwide. We work with you to help you choose the proper sand for your needs that is also within your budget.
When choosing equestrian sand, our team can help you make an informed decision and avoid arena performance problems later. For detailed guidance and to learn more about our product offerings, contact a BESTSAND EQ expert today. Elevate your equestrian experience with a foundation built on quality and performance.
For more information about BESTSAND EQ or to request a sample, please call 800.243.9004 or email Sales@CoviaCorp.com.
