You want it to be deep enough to provide some traction, and deep and springy enough to provide a little cushioning, but you don't ever want it to be too deep, because then it becomes a threat to the horse's tendons. Uneven footing is also dangerous, which is why a good arena will have a flat, well-compacted base and just the right amount and type of footing for the sort of riding that will be done there. Try this recommendation: footing should be no more than 2 inches on the average with a good base. Anything more than 3 inches can cause your horses to come up lame or become very fatigued. Some people like 1 1/2 inches and some like 3 inches. Two inches is a happy medium. Use that as a starting point and make adjustments to fit your needs.
These resources are brought to you by the Cooperative Extension System and your Local Institution
Welcome
eXtension is an interactive learning environment delivering the best, most researched knowledge from the smartest land-grant university minds across America.
Have a question? Try asking one of our Experts
Have a specific question? Try asking one of our Experts
Unlike most other resources on the web, we have experts from Universities around the country ready to answer your questions.
This resource area was created by the: Horses community
