This is a collaborative post: If you’re a parent interested in getting your kids involved in equestrian sports, it’s important to consider the surfaces they will be riding on. Choosing the right type of material for your equestrian projects, such as riding arenas, turnouts, lunge pens, gallops, and canter tracks, is critical for your child’s safety and overall experience.
According to a BBC article on how to get into equestrian sports, “you don’t need to own your own horse or pony to start riding”. However, you do need specialist instruction to find the right horse for your child. And just as important as finding the right horse is ensuring that the ground, they are riding on is suitable.
It’s important to note that the construction of a horse-riding arena involves many important factors, but perhaps the most critical is drainage. As the Equine Facility Design blog notes, without proper drainage, it’s impossible to have a reliable “all weather” surface for your riding arena. That’s why choosing the right type of sand for your equestrian project is so important. Silica sand, with its sub-angular grains and superior drainage properties, is one of the best options available for horse riding arenas, turnouts, lunge pens, and canter tracks.
When it comes to the construction of a horse-riding arena, drainage is one of the most critical factors to consider. Without proper drainage, it’s impossible to have a reliable “all weather” surface for your child to ride on. Silica sand is a material that is gaining popularity in the equestrian world due to its superior drainage properties.
Silica sand is a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles. It’s commonly found in the earth’s crust, but only a few locations provide true sub-angular silica sand that’s perfect for equestrian use. Mainland Aggregates is one such business that can bring you the finest quality silica sand at the most competitive prices.
The angular grains of silica sand lock together to improve firmness, while also providing a comfortable and cushioned ride for your child. Plus, it’s a specific type of silica sand that’s been washed and graded to remove clay and silt, promoting firmness and aiding drainage. The premium sub-angular silica sand available at Mainland Aggregates is designed with equestrian projects in mind, making it perfect for your child’s comfort and safety.
Using good quality silica sand that’s specifically designed for equestrian projects is crucial to ensure the longevity and performance of the surface. Inferior sand may lead to surface failure, which can be costly to rectify. Plus, it may lead to compaction, water-logging, and eventual surface failure, which can be hazardous for your child.
The addition of rubber chip and/or fibre can improve firmness and the performance of the sand, making it even more suitable for equestrian projects. Silica sand performs better with moisture and will ride deep when dry unless used in combination with other products or regularly watered. Therefore, it’s important to water silica sand to maintain compaction throughout prolonged dry spells.
All newly laid silica sand surfaces will require a period of settling before performing at their best. This process can be sped up by rolling and watering. Remember, the use of good quality silica sand, such as the premium sub-angular silica sand available at Mainland Aggregates, is crucial to ensure the safety and comfort of your child, as well as the longevity and performance of the surface.
Using silica sand for equestrian projects is not only important for your child’s comfort and safety but also for their performance as a rider. A well-designed and maintained surface will provide a safe and stable riding environment, reducing the risk of injury to both horse and rider. The sub-angular grains of premium silica sand promote effective drainage and improved compaction, making it the perfect choice for your child’s next equestrian project.
By using high-quality silica sand specifically designed for equestrian use, you can create a safe and stable riding environment for your child to enjoy. The premium sub-angular silica sand available at Mainland Aggregates is an ideal choice for riding arenas, turnouts, lunge pens, gallops, and canter tracks. So, if you’re a parent interested in getting your kids involved in equestrian sports, consider the benefits of