If you’ve ever wondered how you can prolong the lifespan of your equestrian surface, then stop scrolling! This is the blog for you… here are our 6 top tips!

Investing in an equestrian surface is a significant financial investment, so when it comes to maintenance, it’s super important to ensure you properly maintain and care for your surface. This will ensure its longevity and optimal performance for both you and your horse. While Foley’s Equestrian Surfaces are low maintenance, they aren’t no maintenance so here are a few tips to make sure you’re maintaining your equestrian surface properly and prolonging the lifespan of your arena surface as much as possible:

Harrowing Your Arena Surface

One such way you can increase the lifespan of your equestrian surface is to regularly groom the surface: Now we aren’t talking about whipping out your Haas Shimmel brush and giving it a once over. Instead we’re referring to regular grooming using tools such as a harrow or even a specialist grooming machine. This will help to prevent compaction, unevenness, and the formation of ruts on the surface. Using a harrower for example will make sure you level the footing and redistribute loose material evenly throughout the entire arena. Grooming should be done around once a week, perhaps more frequently if your arena endures a higher traffic load.

Watering Your Equestrian Surface

Water the surface as needed: While our surfaces aren’t dusty, an extra long drought may mean a little sprinkle goes a long way. However, while sand surfaces may require regular watering to provide adequate cushioning and prevent excessive dust, you can rest easy knowing that your Foley’s Equestrian Surface won’t require this much attention.

Removing Manure & Debris From Your Arena

Remove manure and debris promptly: We know, it can seem like a chore for some but believe us when we say, removing manure and other debris can make a huge difference to your surface. Did you know manure and debris can actually be detrimental to the integrity and performance of the equestrian surface, in fact it’s essential to remove manure and debris promptly to prevent compaction, unevenness and even microbial growth. Regularly inspecting your Foley’s Equestrian surface and manually removing any visible manure or debris will make a huge difference. 

Drainage Issues In Equestrian Surfaces

Monitor and address drainage issues: Proper drainage is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the equestrian surface. Thankfully, Foley’s Equestrian arena surfaces help a little here as they’re fantastic with drainage, often aiding surfaces to the point that they no longer flood however that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a helping hand along the way. Ensuring the arena surface is properly graded to allow for efficient water runoff will help prevent pooling or puddling. Regularly inspecting the surface after heavy rainfall or snowmelt will also help to identify any drainage issues and address them promptly. Ignoring poor drainage issues will eventually lead to waterlogged surfaces, which can negatively impact traction and cause unevenness, ultimately making it unrideable.

Avoiding Wear & Tear In Your Riding Arena

Avoid excessive wear and tear: While our Foley’s equestrian surfaces are designed to withstand heavy use, being ideal for competition yards and showjumpers, it’s also important to remember that excessive wear and tear can still impact their lifespan. What do we mean by this? Change things up a little and avoid riding the same outside track every single day for 5 years. This may unnecessarily strain the surface. Consider rotating your riding areas to distribute the load evenly. 

Damage & Your Equestrian Surface

Regularly inspect for signs of damage: Routinely inspect your arena footing for any signs of damage, such as deep ruts, holes, or unevenness. If you find something unexpected, address the issue quickly before it has time to develop further. It’s much easier and far cheaper to deal with a small issue than it is a big one.

The Best Low Maintenance Arena

By following these tips and implementing a regular maintenance routine, you can help prolong the lifespan of your equestrian surface and enjoy optimal performance for years to come. Remember, a well-maintained surface not only ensures the safety and well-being of both horse and rider but also contributes to the overall enjoyment of your riding experiences.

Find out more by emailing sales@foleysequestrian.co.uk or call 01642 989441.