popular product is Soiltex, a white synthetic needle felt mixed with fibers, adding stability and spring to sand arenas. For an optimum arena base construction, the HIT
Arena with Attwood’s footing
the hoof which compacts the footing below the horse. The engineered viscoelastic rebound encourages and enhances forward motion.” The water repellant quality of the polymer leads to fast drainage in outdoor arenas. Another alternative popular in Europe is a unique
matting system under a custom mix of specific sand types, geotextiles and fibers. This formula is from EquiBase out of Santa Rosa California which boasts of shock absorption, footing traction and surface drainage. The foundation mats are environmentally friendly composed of 100% recycled PVC. The top surface of the mats is made up of honeycomb-like depressions which keep footing in place, retain moisture and remain consistent. On the bottom, a tank-like tread, perforated with holes for drainage, keeps the mats in place. The
Draingrid with a subterranean irrigation drip line is the latest advanced arena base construction method which assures drainage, saves water and provides even moisture at every inch making unreliable overhead sprinklers a thing of the past. The result is an elastic, all-weather, water efficient and low-maintenance arena base. The system uses just half the water required in overhead sprinklers or water trucks. As the water is coming up from the ground it is not subject to loss from evaporation and wind. Made of elastic polyethylene raw material, the grid provides
Soiltex by Footing Solutions USA
elasticity in the arena base, ideal drainage, creating truly all-weather riding arenas, making puddles and dry spots a thing of the past. The HIT Draingrid can also be used in paddocks to ensure mud-free paddocks. Together with their German partner, Footing Solutions USA is also offering the High and Low Tide arena system, a premium equestrian footing system with integrated irrigation and drainage used by internationally top Jumping and Dressage riders around the world.
EquiBase’s matting system
geotextiles and fibers are intended to provide water retention, impact resistance, and stability, plus prevent packing. This was the footing installed in all 13 arenas at the 2008 Beijing Olympics at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sha Tin. After 20 inches of rain one day during the Olympics, once the rain stopped, the Olympians began riding in the arenas five minutes later amazed at its instant drainage ability. A third alternative is by Footing Solutions USA based
in California, which brings a variety of German arena technologies to the United States for all budgets. Their most
38 November/December 2009
n HORSE WATER AEROBICS: When Circle Oak Ranch in Petaluma, California, opened last year as a rehabilitation and retirement facility for horses, one of its main therapeutic attractions was the underwater treadmill. Unexpectedly, it is also sought after as a conditioning tool in poor weather. The other surprise is the ease at which horses are willingly led down an enclosed ramp only a bit wider than a straight-load trailer into a dark four foot pool of chlorine-treated, triple filtered water. Whatever the purpose of the experience, because the horse is 40–50% buoyant as he works on the treadmill, condition and fitness are put on him through water resistance without stressing tendons, ligaments, joint capsules and old injuries. “Most horses are here to rehab, but we had an eventing
horse that was preparing for the Rolex Three Day Event and couldn’t be conditioned on the owner’s galloping track because it was too muddy,” says facility manager
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