How to select the best riding arena footing for equine rehab & injury prevention

The EquiMend Team
Sep 10
5 min read

If you work with horses coming back from injury or want to reduce the risk of future problems, the arena surface is one of the few things you can control that truly changes how forces move through the limb. Below is a practical, science-backed guide to choosing and managing footing with rehabilitation and long-term soundness in mind.

Quick summary

Two surface properties matter most for injury risk and rehab: vertical cushioning (impact) and shear (slip/slide). You want predictable, consistent cushioning and controlled shear- not zero slip and not wild sliding. PubMed Center for Equine Health
Surface composition (sand size, fiber, rubber, waxes) and management (depth, moisture, harrowing) change those properties more than simply “dirt vs synthetic.” Test surfaces rather than trusting labels. PubMed ResearchGate
For rehab: favor surfaces with good, consistent cushion and moderate shear to limit peak concussion while allowing safe hoof rotation/slide. Ask for lab/test data and establish a routine test/maintenance plan. EquiManagement PMC

The science - what the research actually measures and why it matters

Researchers evaluate arena surfaces using mechanical tests that mimic hoof impact and hoof-to-surface interaction: vertical impact testers (cushion/peak deceleration), shear testers (how much the hoof slides or resists sliding), and instruments like the light-weight deflectometer (LWD) to assess surface reactivity and compaction. These measurable properties correlate with how much load a limb sees at impact, how the hoof rotates or slips, and ultimately with injury risk. Center for Equine Health ScienceDirect

A recent series of studies found that shear ground reaction forces vary widely among common arena surfaces, and that shear behavior is often more dependent on specific surface composition (fiber content, sand gradation, wax/rubber content) and maintenance than on whether the surface is broadly classified as “dirt” or “synthetic.” Because shear affects hoof slide, rotational moments, and energy transferred to tendons/ligaments, it’s a key factor in injury prevention. PubMed ScienceDirect

Epidemiological and biomechanical work links certain surface properties to increased lameness and altered gait—so arena choice and maintenance are legitimate risk-management tools for performance horses and rehab patients. PMC ResearchGate

How footing affects common rehab/injury scenarios (practical takeaways)

Tendon/ligament injuries (SDFT/DDFT suspensory): Sudden high peak impact or excessive rotational shear can re-strain healing fibers. Aim for moderate cushion (reduces peak deceleration) and controlled shear (allows a little slide on landing instead of abrupt catch). Extremely deep, loose surfaces may increase limb excursion and strain — so balance depth with stability. PubMed EquiManagement
Articular disease / osteoarthritis: Repeated high concussion is harmful. Prioritize consistent, shock-absorbing surfaces that limit repeated high g-loads; avoid hard packed or over-compacted footing. Regular monitoring is critical because a “good” surface can harden if poorly maintained. Center for Equine Health PMC
Hoof/trimming/shoeing interactions: Shoes and trims change hoof-surface friction. Some studies show different shoe materials alter hoof-surface kinematics — coordinate shoeing choices with surface properties to avoid unsafe grip or too much slip. ScienceDirect PubMed

What to look for when choosing a footing system (a practical checklist)

Ask for mechanical test data - vertical impact, shear (or shear-ground reaction), and an LWD/deflectometer profile if available. If the seller can’t provide measured values, treat that as a red flag. PubMed ScienceDirect
Prefer consistency over novelty - A surface that behaves the same across the whole arena and through a season is safer than one that’s “perfect” one week and hard or patchy the next. Center for Equine Health
Material mix matters - Well-graded sand with controlled fiber/rubber content often gives the best balance of cushion and controlled shear. Fiber can reduce excessive shear and stabilize the matrix; rubber can add cushion but sometimes increases variability if not blended properly. EquiManagement ResearchGate
Depth and compaction- There’s an optimal depth, too shallow reduces cushion; too deep increases energy loss and limb excursion. Aim for a depth recommended by the tested system and measure it in multiple spots. ResearchGate
Drainage & climate fit- A good drainage base and regionally appropriate material mix keeps moisture and firmness in the target range. Don’t pick a product that relies on constant watering if your climate or water access won’t support it. Center for Equine Health

Questions to ask a manufacturer or arena builder

Do you have vertical impact and shear test results from independent labs? (ask for numbers, not just adjectives) PubMed
What grading and sand particle size are used? What percent fiber/rubber? ResearchGate
What maintenance regime is required (h arrowing frequency, watering, drag settings)? What happens to properties if maintenance is missed? Center for Equine Health
Can you install a test patch so I can ride on and measure it before full installation? (highly recommended) ScienceDirect

Maintenance (the part that prevents problems)

Research and industry experts emphasize that maintenance is as important as materials. Regular drag/harrow sessions, maintaining target moisture, monitoring depth, and addressing high-use spots prevents local compaction or excessive looseness that can suddenly change impact and shear behaviors. Schedule checks after heavy rain, freeze/thaw cycles, or big events. Center for Equine Health The Horse

Suggested basic schedule (adjust to use and climate): daily light dragging where used, weekly deeper harrow or levelling, measure depth and moisture monthly, and mechanical testing (or professional inspection) seasonally or after major weather events. Center for Equine Health

How to match footing to different rehabilitation stages

Acute/early rehab (protect healing tissue): Walk work, limited trot on a soft but stable surface with low peak impact and controlled slide. Avoid deep, unstable surfaces that increase limb movement. EquiManagement
Mid rehab (gradual loading): Use the same surface or a slightly firmer, consistent surface to introduce more load while keeping concussion predictable. Monitor for heat, swelling, or gait changes. PMC
Return-to-sport: Progressive work on surfaces that match competition footing when possible — but maintain the same maintenance discipline and measure surface properties so the progression doesn’t suddenly expose healing tissue to new forces. ResearchGate

Simple tests you can do yourself (and when to call an expert)

Visual & depth check: walk the arena in boots and measure depth at a grid of points -look for thin or deep zones.
Firmness check: drop a 5-10 kg weighted plate from a fixed height to compare “give” in different spots (this is a crude vertical impact test). Record results over time.
Rider feel + video: film hoof strike with a smartphone to look for sudden slides or inconsistent landings across the arena. If you see abrupt, uneven slides or a horse changing gait to protect a limb, get a professional surface test.When you need objective mechanical numbers (shear/vertical impact/reactivity), hire a lab, university, or a reputable surfacing consultant — those tests are what the published studies use to make evidence-based recommendations. PubMed ScienceDirect

Bottom line - a practical buying rule

Choose a footing system and management plan that gives predictable cushion and controlled shear, provides documented test results, and comes with a realistic maintenance plan for your climate and use. Remember: a well-maintained, tested sand-plus-fiber surface often outperforms an unmaintained “premium” synthetic. Investing in testing and maintenance is cheaper (and kinder to horses) than treating injuries later. ResearchGate EquiManagement