Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Rubber footing products such as these are used to combat hardness.
Footing Problems
Footing materials are not the answer to all problems. However, the correct footing or addit-
ive might solve a particular problem you are having. Some footings might solve one prob-
lem but introduce another. Most footings can't do it all alone, because most footings are not
100 percent dust-free. The exception to this would be clean, premium, decomposed granite.
All footings will break down over time, some in a matter of months, some after years.
Certain footing problems tend to occur time and time again. Knowing about potential
problems ahead of time can help you design an arena and footing that will minimize prob-
lems.
Too hard.
Hard footing can lead to joint and ligament problems. Luckily, hard footing
is one of the easiest problems to solve. Often just a regular grooming (aeration with disc
and harrow) and watering program will improve hard soil. Another solution is to add new
footing on top of the hard arena. Also, organic material (such as sawdust or ground bark)
or rubber products can be added to the hard soil and mixed in to give life and spring.
How hard is your arena footing? A Clegg Impact Tester, which is a drop hammer that
measures the rate of deceleration when an object hits the ground, determines hardness. The
drop hammer measures the forces felt by the horse as his limbs contact and settle on the
arena surface. Hard surfaces, on which the rate of deceleration occurs quickly, have little
“give” and don't absorb energy. Softer surfaces absorb more energy and have a more gradu-
