Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Some footing materials, such as coarse sand and stone dust, are abrasive to the hoof wall
and so are unsuitable for working barefoot horses. Wood products and turf are not abrasive
and so are suitable for bare hooves. Footing recipes vary widely and include various mix-
tures of sand, silt, and clay; topsoil and sawdust; simply sand; and various artificial foot-
ings. If you are considering an artificial footing, check to be sure that it is environmentally
friendly and determine where you can dispose of it if you need to.
Soil Evaluation
Before adding new footing to your arena site or enhancing what is already there, find out
what type of soil you are starting with. In order to learn the soil's characteristics, have the
soil tested. When you sample, be sure you get a cross-sample from the entire arena. Don't
dig down to the base, because the soil character will be different. Have the soil evaluated
by a state university soil lab or a private soil lab rather than by the manufacturer of one
type of footing that might have a specific interest in sales. Be wary of home-style test kits,
because you must know what you are doing or you could get the wrong results, and incor-
rect decisions could be costly.
A soil sample will show the organic content of the soil. Organic material provides the
medium for beneficial soil microbes to grow. Bacterial activities (including secretions) can
help the footing absorb moisture, bind the footing particles, and keep the soil resilient and
“alive.” Also in your soil analysis, you'll learn the mineral makeup of the soil: what per-
cent is sand, silt, and clay and what type of sand the sample contained.
