Whether you’re constructing a brand new arena from scratch or looking to replace your existing arena surface, finding the best arena surfaces for you and your horse can be a daunting task. There are so many different factors to consider, such as whether it’ll be for yourself alone or a livery yard of riders. Will the arena be used for a multitude of different disciplines or will it only be used for flatwork? Of course, we always need to consider our budget and then of course factors such as drainage, current surface that it may be laid on and whether it’ll be situated indoor or outdoor. It’s also worth asking yourself, what is your personal preference? What do you and your horse prefer to ride on?

While some enjoy a looser mix, others prefer a firmer surface and if you’ve read our previous blogs on equine biomechanics and the role of the arena surface, you’ll know finding that sweet spot isn’t easy. That being said, the best equestrian surfaces are out there, especially if you know what you’re looking for… and of course where. 

The Best Arena Surfaces For All Disciplines

Regardless of what your favoured discipline is, it’s important to make sure your surface is consistent in the support it offers. It must provide a safe and stable footing that allows the horse to work efficiently through all three phases of movement. You’ll want shock distributed evenly allowing for just enough resistance and just enough give.

The Best Arena Surfaces Sit On The Right Base

Many opt for quality silica sand when it comes to their arena and that’s because it provides incredible stability for almost all surfaces. With the correct type of equestrian sands and aggregates within your base, you’ll have an arena that provides the perfect riding base. Get the wrong sands and aggregates however and you’ll find yourself with an arena that will ultimately become too dangerous to ride in. You could also find yourself looking at not only great repair bills but rather large vet bills too.

That being said, there are indeed alternatives to equestrian sand in the form of Foley’s equestrian Sports mix. Not only does it provide a great stable base for the likes of our Eco-Excel and Eco-Flex surfaces but it’s also more cost-effective than sand. Here at Foley’s we’re also currently trialling our brand new surface Astrosand which is compromised of a blend of silica sand, rubber granules and astro grass blade particulates. This surface in particular is also the perfect option for those wanting an all in one as no sand is required. 

The Best Arena Surfaces Are All-Weather

Our synthetic riding surfaces are the perfect example of all-weather surfaces that provide frost-resistance as well as excellent drainage, allowing safe riding to continue in all weathers. Forget dangerous frozen surfaces that cause injury and halt riding altogether and forget only being able to ride at one end in order to avoid flood patches. A good surface will not freeze and harden and will aid your ground drainage during the heaviest rainfall. 

The Best Arena Surfaces In The UK

Here at Foley’s Equestrian Surfaces, we’re proud to boast some of the best arena surfaces in the UK. Not only do they provide incredible support for horse and rider but they’re all-weather, resisting frost, aiding with drainage and providing support for all disciplines.

For more information, contact us via sales@foleysequestrian.co.uk today. We’ll be only too happy to provide you with free samples of all of our surfaces, including our brand new Astrosand, a revolutionary new product that we believe is going to change the face of equestrian surfaces here in the UK and beyond.