A horse arena is a great addition to your property, simply because it can provide hours of fun for both you and your horses and it can help to exercise your equine partner. But how will you maintain your arena to make sure it stays as new for a long time?
Horse arenas need to be groomed and looked after weekly or even daily to make sure they are safe and fun to use. Both you and your horse need a reliable and consistent surface to perform at the best parameters. Looking after your arena’s surface is hard work, but with a few tips and tricks, you can reduce the time spent grooming and dedicate that time to riding with your best friend.
Maintenance tips may vary depending on the local conditions and factors, such as daily use, footing material, and your riding style. But there are some general tips you can follow to get started with your arena maintenance.
Arena maintenance is needed for the sand and additives to stay in shape. This means regular grooming or dragging, watering, drainage, and adding new sand and additives whenever it’s needed.
If you would like to create your horse arena but don’t know how to start, you’re in the right place. We prepared a list of actionable tips on how to take care of your horse arena. Let’s get started!
Raking Your Horse Arena
Occasionally, you’ll need to rake your arena to make sure it stays smooth and uniform. Most horse arena owners need to do this about 2-3 times a week, but it all depends on how much you actually use the arena.
Perform Sand Maintenance
Over time, sand and additives will compact and lose their properties, so you will need to replace the top layer. This also depends on how much you use the arena, but you’ll usually have to do it every five years.
Keep An Eye On Arena Surface Levels
Your arena footing will naturally compact down over time. It might also develop some depth inconsistencies that are not visible to the naked eye, and you might not even be aware of them. That’s why we recommend a depth check every three months or so. This way, you can easily spot any level differences and make sure you even them out.
Remove Organic Matter
To keep your arena in the best shape possible, always make sure you clean the horse’s feet before entering. Removing your horse droppings or any other organic matter is necessary since leaving them in place can affect your arena’s performance.
Keep Your Arena Dust-Free
Arena dust is one of the most prominent and dangerous issues that can appear, so keeping your arena dust-free is essential. A dusty arena can affect your horse’s performance, or even worse, it can lead to numerous health issues for both you and your horse.
You can save water, time, and effort by using WHOA Dust® a dust-control product that helps retain moisture and keeps dust particles from rising. Your footing will also be optimized for safety and comfort, providing traction and a more supportive texture.
Get Rid Of Weeds
In order to have an arena that stays in good conditions for many years, it’s essential to keep it weed-free. You can remove them by hand or use organic solutions to keep weeds away from your arena. It’s safe to use a 10% vinegar solution if you want to go chemical-free. We don’t advise you to use any chemical substances that might negatively affect your horse’s health.
Know Your Arena’s Watering Requirements
Watering is an essential part of arena maintenance, so it’s important to perform it regularly and know how often you should perform it. No two arenas are the same, and your arena’s watering requirements might also change depending on the season and weather conditions.
Remember that if you use WHOA Dust® you can actually reduce the need to water your arena by a minimum of 50%.
Prepare Your Arena For Bad Weather!
As a horse arena owner, you should always be on the lookout for the weather. If you anticipate rainy or stormy weather, we recommend you drag your arena before the rain to get rid of the hoof prints that might create pools of water.
If it’s a dry season, make sure you are ready to water more often to ensure the arena stays in shape.
During the winter, sand and fiber footings are more susceptible to frost. You can use arena covers to insulate the arena and protect it from the elements when not in use.
Get In Touch With Us
As you can see, arena maintenance can be quite challenging, especially if it’s the first time you own a horse arena. We would love to help! Contact us, and let’s discuss what you can do to keep your arena in the best possible condition.
