Thanks for that excellent article. I have just bought my footing after fairly intensive research. It is a minefield. Where drainage is an issue the whole topic becomes much more complex and expensive. Nohoof no horse and no drainage no topping in my case. Here is my final formula and I woul be interestedin your opinions
First select a site with a beck on one side and a ditch on the other to drain all that ******* rain into. Get planning permission Take off the top soil and create a level site. Next dig sloping drainage trenches going down into the ditch length of the site and the two perimeters outside the arena that are not brders by the beck or ditch. Cover the base with woven membrane to prevent back leakage of the clay into the drainage pipes. line the trenches with carboniferous limestone 2cm x4cm size. lay perforated drainage pipes in the trenches and cover the lot with more carboniferous limestone until there is 4" and it is level. Select a footing and membrane that are COMPATIBLE. Test in in a tea strainer for drainability, the dent it makes when you poke it with a stick and how hard it goes when drying out. This is not awfully scientific but it was all that my brain could produce. Believe me the local sand mine produces some horrible stuff that is brick hard on drying and soft and slushy when wet. It also has so many fines that it will block any membrane. People use it even though it is expensive! FOOTING I chose the one by used by Arena UK. Made by ascot it contains the following ingredients; http://www.ascotarenas.co.uk/id4.html It is expensive (about £8,000) but only a fraction of the whole project. What was it someone said about how to make a small fortune with a horse? You do have to do your own research and watch very carefully the work in progress. Over the years I have noticed how much the work can deviate from that specified if you don't. The surface I have chosen is unsuitable for reining because it acts like turf. There was one for reining by another company called trackright. I went to see that in Lincoln agricultural school and equestrian centre. I wasn't impressed by the base stone rising to the surface and the dust. Apparently it requires a lot of watering and no membrane under the footing as it's too fine and would not drain, hence the stones rising to the surface. http://www.trackrightarenas.com/ Mine isn't finished yet due to the weather. I am getting frustrated by that lack of progress. Let me know what you think of my choice. Not that there is much chance of changing it. People who have dry paddocks are so lucky. Last night I thought I had my wellies on in bed. I wear them so much they have become a part of me. Sue UK
