If you’ve read any of our blogs before, you will have seen us mention on numerous occasions that riding arena surfaces, especially a Foley’s Equestrian Surface is an investment for years to come. 

That being said, no arena surface is made to last forever and without the right maintenance such as removing droppings, harrowing and more, they won’t even last a few years, let alone the length of time they could. 

So today, we’re talking about the signs you should be looking out for that would suggest it’s time to replace your current surface – with a Foley’s Equestrian Surface of course.

Your Riding Arena Surface Will Need Replacing If You Have…

Uneven Footing – it’s no surprise that uneven or inconsistent footing can lead to injury or at the very least, lead to a negative impact on you and your horse’s performance. Things to look out for that could indicate inconsistent footing are uneven material distribution, for example large built up corners, compaction in some areas with loose, deep surface in others.

If levelling and regular maintenance aren’t helping to alleviate the problem, this is a clear sign that your surface may need replacing.

Lots Of Dust – there are some surfaces that produce dust more than riders would like, which isn’t ideal however if your surface is producing more than normal, this could be an indicator of issues with materials and drainage. If adjusting your watering schedule or even adding materials such as wax, doesn’t stop your excessive dust problem, this is something that needs addressing quickly.

Obvious Wear & Tear – wear and tear is natural and something to expect. Lack of maintenance however will make wear and tear accelerate further. But how do you know your arena is at the stage of significant deterioration? You may notice broken fibres, sand particles breaking down, membrane beginning to show through, uneven distribution… if you notice any signs like this, you should be looking at replacing your arena riding surface.

Flooding/Water Logging – consistent drainage problems are a good indicator that your riding arena surface may need to be looked at. Especially if you’ve tried to solve the problem to no avail. You may notice pooling water, or excessively wet areas while others remain dry and dusty. Your surface should aid with drainage, not hinder.

Age – everything ages. That’s a simple fact. Even with proper maintenance, a riding arena surface will always have a limited lifespan. This will depend on the maintenance provided along with the materials used in said arena. Many range from anywhere between 5 and 15 years, so if your arena is approaching its ‘recommended’ lifespan, then you’ll definitely need to start looking at replacing your arena surface. This is certainly the case if your arena surface has exceeded it’s recommend lifespan.

Change In Use – not every arena surface will cater to all disciplines. While Foley’s Equestrian Surfaces provide support for both dressage and showjumping, a great deal of surfaces will only cater to flatwork. If you’re thinking of changing your discipline, it’s worth asking whether your surface will cope and if not, it’s time to change.

Injuries/Poor Performance – if your horse is continually experiencing injuries and you notice a decline in performance even when they’re sound, then it’s likely the case that your surface may need replacing.

Replace Your Riding Arena Surface With Foley’s

It’s so important that you’re able to recognise the signs that your surface may need replacing to ensure small problems don’t become big ones. This will make sure your arena remains a safe place to train at all times. If you think your current arena surface may need replacing then now’s the time to do so, while we have an incredible Black Friday Sale, offering 22 bags of any of our surfaces for just £1056 inc VAT.

Here at Foley’s Equestrian Surfaces, we provide all weather virgin carpet fibre riding arena surfaces. Our surfaces aren’t just frost resistant and wind resistant, but suitable for all disciplines and amazing at aiding with drainage.

What’s more, our surfaces are great as toppers as they can be laid on virtually any other surface. Want more information? Contact us today on 01642 989441 or email sales@foleysequestrian.co.uk and our friendly team will be more than happy to help!