An ideal horse arena should have a smooth, traction-rich riding surface and requires quality horse track sand. For regular cycling, bulk sand is the best footing material. There are several types available, none of them are specifically developed for arena use. As a result, think about the following considerations to make sure you get the greatest deal for your needs.
Particle Size
Sand grains with diameters ranging from 0.05 millimeters to two millimeters are commonly used in horse arenas. Staying within this range will provide adequate performance support while also minimizing dust, albeit the latter is less of an issue in indoor environments. Anything greater than two millimeters should be avoided since it resembles gravel or tiny rocks, both of which can harm a horse’s feet.
Particle Shape
The shape of the sand grains has an impact on how the grains fall together, which in turn has an impact on how comfortable the surface is to walk on. When it comes to shape, you have three possibilities. Rounded particles leave voids, which can provide cushioning but can also cause instability and traction loss. Although angular particles fit together securely, they can readily get compacted.
Sub-angular particles, which are angular particles with worn edges, are perhaps the best alternative. They create a tighter vacuum than spherical particles but don’t cling as tightly as angular particles, resulting in firm traction without excessive compaction. While any of these forms would be ideal for a horse arena, be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of each before purchasing bulk horse track sand.
Grading
To provide the best riding surface, bulk sand should be graded. The sand will stay in its natural state without grading, which is often fairly loose and deep. Larger and smaller particle sizes can be separated by gap grading, with the heavier particles being packed at the bottom and the lighter ones on top. A good grading should have a variety of tiny to medium particles to offer firm but not compacted footing.
How Much Sand Should I Get?
After you’ve decided on a depth that works for you, you’ll need to figure out how much sand you’ll need. Sand will be sold in cubic yards and pounds, among other quantities. You can use this step-by-step approach to figure out how many cubic yards you’ll need for your arena.
1. Determine the area. You’ll need to multiply the length by the width to get the size of your arena. This computation can be done in feet or yards, with the result being the area in cubic feet or cubic yards.
2. Decide on the depth. This quantity is determined by the types of practices that will be held in your venue. As previously stated, you should probably not go higher than six inches, and it is preferable to start small and go up. Start with inches and then multiply by the number of inches in a cubic yard.
3. Multiply the depth and area. Make sure the depth and area are both in the same units — feet, inches, or yards — before starting this computation. This determines the volume. After that, you can either give this number to your material supplier or move on to the next stage.
4. Convert to Weight. Most material providers can use the volume to find this number. But if your sand provider requires a weight, then you must multiply the volume and the density — a number that varies depending on the type of sand.
