Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
porous, but it also means that during a downpour, the rubber fraction might float away, and
during windstorms, it might blow away. This would not be an issue in an indoor arena.
Woodproductsvaryaccordingtothemanufacturerandlocale,buttheygenerallyin-
crease cushion and moisture-holding capacity.
Rubber footings are usually a recycled material from the tire industry, ideally without the
steel-belt portion of the tires. However, metal and other debris have been noticed in some
rubber footings, so it is important to choose a product that has been designed for use with
horses.
Most rubber footings are black, which reduces the glare of straight sand. They absorb
heat from the sun and so can help prevent freezing, but the rubber can be hotter for the
horse's feet. Colored rubber products (for example, blue and green) are also available.
Determine what coloring agent is used, as some could be toxic. Also check to see where
you could dispose of the rubber footing in the event it does not work well for your applica-
tion.
Coated sand.
Polymer-coated sand, a less widely available and more expensive option,
offers good cushion, good traction, and minimal dust if organic matter (manure, leaves,
bedding) is removed from the footing regularly.
Synthetic fibers.
Ground or chopped plastics or other synthetics have recently been mar-
keted as arena footing. They are generally lightweight and could float or blow away out-
doors.
