As equestrians, we understand the importance of properly maintained arena footing. What many facility owners may not realize, however, is just how much water traditional arena maintenance consumes. With increasing drought conditions, rising water costs, and growing environmental awareness, water conservation has become a critical concern for equestrian facilities of all sizes.
The good news? Today’s innovative arena management technologies and premium footing additives offer a solution that maintains perfect riding conditions while dramatically reducing water usage. By combining smart watering systems with moisture-retaining footing additives, you can create a sustainable arena management program that’s better for your horses, your budget, and the planet.
The Water Challenge in Equestrian Facilities
The typical outdoor horse arena measures between 20,000-40,000 square feet and requires approximately 2,500-5,000 gallons of water for a single thorough watering. During hot, dry months, many facilities water daily or even twice daily to maintain proper footing conditions.
This translates to some sobering statistics:
- Monthly water usage: 75,000-300,000 gallons per arena
- Annual water consumption: 900,000-3,600,000 gallons per arena
- Water cost: $3,000-$12,000 annually in many regions
Beyond the financial impact, this level of water consumption raises serious sustainability concerns, especially in drought-prone regions where water restrictions are increasingly common.
“The equestrian industry has been relatively slow to adopt water conservation technologies,” notes Jennifer, sustainable equestrian facility consultant. “Many facility owners don’t realize how much water they’re using—or how much they could be saving.”
The Dual Approach to Water Conservation
Truly effective water conservation requires addressing both aspects of arena moisture management:
- Efficient water application – Using systems that apply water uniformly with minimal waste
- Enhanced moisture retention – Incorporating footing additives that maintain optimal moisture levels longer
When these strategies work together, the results are transformative—reducing water consumption by 50-70% while maintaining or even improving footing quality.
Understanding Premium Footing Additives
Modern footing additives do far more than just improve traction or cushioning—many are specifically designed to enhance water retention and reduce watering frequency. Let’s examine how three leading additives work to conserve water:
Levitare Footing Additive
Levitare is a premium synthetic fiber additive that creates a network of moisture-retaining material throughout your arena surface.
How it conserves water:
- Specialized fibers trap moisture and release it slowly as conditions dry
- Creates consistent moisture distribution throughout the footing profile
- Reduces watering frequency by approximately 30-40%
Additional benefits:
- Improves stability and traction
- Reduces compaction
- Extends the life of your arena footing
EcoStride Arena Footing
EcoStride is an environmentally friendly footing additive made from recycled materials that excel at moisture management.
How it conserves water:
- Highly absorbent particles retain moisture for extended periods
- Creates optimal moisture equilibrium in the footing
- Can reduce watering frequency by up to 50%
Additional benefits:
- Dust suppression properties
- Shock absorption for joint protection
- Sustainable manufacturing process
FoamFooting for Moisture Retention
FoamFooting contains specialized polymers that enhance the water-holding capacity of your arena surface.
How it conserves water:
- Absorbs up to 10 times its weight in water
- Releases moisture gradually as conditions change
- Can extend time between waterings by 40-60%
Additional benefits:
- Provides cushioning for impact absorption
- Reduces dust even at lower moisture levels
- Improves footing consistency
For a complete guide to footing additives, visit our comprehensive Arena Additives Comparison Guide.
SprinklAir™: Precision Water Application
While additives address moisture retention, the SprinklAir™ automated arena waterer tackles the application side of water conservation. This innovative system dramatically improves watering efficiency through:
Uniform Coverage
Traditional watering methods often result in over-watered perimeters and under-watered centers. The SprinklAir™ system’s self-propelled design ensures even moisture distribution across your entire arena surface.
This uniform coverage eliminates:
- Dry spots that create inconsistent footing
- Over-watered areas that waste water and create unstable footing
- The need for supplemental hand watering
Adjustable Application Rates
The SprinklAir™ system features adjustable speed settings that allow you to precisely control water application:
- Fast setting: Light watering for dust control (~2.0 m³/h)
- Medium setting: Maintenance watering (~2.5 m³/h)
- Slow setting: Deep watering for extremely dry conditions (~3.0 m³/h)
This precision means you apply exactly the amount of water needed—no more, no less—resulting in significant water savings.
Reduced Evaporation Loss
By applying water at the optimal rate for absorption, the SprinklAir™ system minimizes surface water that’s vulnerable to evaporation. This alone can reduce water waste by 20-30% compared to overhead sprinklers or manual watering methods.
Learn more about the SprinklAir™ system on our product page.
The Perfect Partnership: SprinklAir™ + Premium Additives
When you combine SprinklAir™’s efficient water application with the moisture-retaining properties of premium footing additives, you create a synergistic system that maximizes water conservation while maintaining optimal riding conditions.
How the Combined System Works
- Initial application: The SprinklAir™ system applies water evenly across your arena surface
- Moisture absorption: Premium additives like Levitare, EcoStride, or FoamFooting capture and hold this moisture
- Gradual release: Additives slowly release moisture as conditions change
- Extended intervals: The combination extends the time between necessary waterings
- Reduced consumption: Overall water usage decreases by 50-70%
Real-World Results
Equestrian facilities using this combined approach report remarkable improvements:
Rain Valley Equestrian Center: “After installing SprinklAir™ and adding Levitare to our arena, we’ve cut our watering frequency from daily to twice weekly, even during summer months. Our water bill has decreased by over 60%.” – Adolfo, Facility Manager
Westwind Stables : “The combination of SprinklAir™ with EcoStride has been a game-changer during drought restrictions. We maintain perfect footing while staying well under our water allocation limits.” – Michael R., Owner
Fieldstone Riding Academy : “Using SprinklAir™ with FoamFooting allowed us to reduce watering from twice daily to every third day. We’ve saved over 1.2 million gallons of water in the first year alone.” – Jessica K., Barn Manager
Creating Your Custom Water Conservation System
Every equestrian facility has unique needs and conditions. Here’s how to develop a water conservation system tailored to your specific situation:
Step 1: Assess Your Current Water Usage
Before implementing changes, establish a baseline:
- Track the frequency of arena watering
- Estimate gallons used per application
- Calculate monthly and seasonal water costs
- Note problematic areas (dry spots, inconsistent footing)
Step 2: Select the Right Footing Additive
Choose an additive based on your specific needs:
Levitare is ideal for:
- Competition arenas requiring consistent, professional-quality footing
- Facilities with high-level training needs
- Arenas with significant daily use
EcoStride works best for:
- Environmentally conscious facilities
- Arenas with moderate to heavy use
- Facilities in regions with water restrictions
FoamFooting is perfect for:
- Arenas in extremely dry climates
- Facilities prioritizing dust control
- Arenas requiring enhanced cushioning
Need help selecting the right additive? Our Footing Consultation Service provides personalized recommendations.
Step 3: Implement SprinklAir™ for Optimal Watering
The SprinklAir™ system complements any premium footing additive with:
- Simple setup requiring only a standard water connection
- No permanent installation or infrastructure changes
- Adjustable settings to match your specific footing needs
- Automated operation that eliminates labor costs
Step 4: Develop an Optimized Watering Schedule
With your combined system in place, create a water-efficient maintenance schedule:
For arenas with Levitare:
- Initial deep watering with SprinklAir™ on slow setting
- Maintenance watering every 3-4 days (depending on climate)
- Adjust based on seasonal changes
For arenas with EcoStride:
- Initial moderate watering with SprinklAir™ on medium setting
- Maintenance watering every 4-5 days
- Light top watering as needed for dust control
For arenas with FoamFooting:
- Initial thorough watering with SprinklAir™ on slow setting
- Maintenance watering every 5-7 days
- Monitor moisture levels during extreme conditions
For more information on developing an optimal maintenance program, check out our Seasonal Arena Maintenance Guide.
Water Conservation Cost Analysis
When evaluating the return on investment for a water conservation system, consider both immediate and long-term savings:
| Investment Component | Initial Cost | Annual Savings | Payback Period |
| SprinklAir™ System | $649 | $1,800-$3,600 in water costs | 2-5 months |
| Premium Additives (20,000 sq ft arena) | $4,000-$8,000 | $2,400-$4,800 in water costs | 1-3 years |
| Combined System | $4,649-$8,649 | $4,200-$8,400 total savings | 7-24 months |
Beyond direct water cost savings, additional financial benefits include:
- Reduced labor costs for arena maintenance
- Extended footing lifespan
- Improved horse performance and health
- Potential eligibility for water conservation rebates in some regions
Environmental Benefits Beyond Water Savings
Implementing a comprehensive water conservation system delivers additional environmental advantages:
Energy Conservation
By reducing water consumption, you also decrease the energy required for:
- Water pumping and distribution
- Water treatment processes
- Associated transportation and infrastructure
Reduced Chemical Usage
Efficient watering with SprinklAir™ can reduce or eliminate the need for dust control chemicals, many of which can impact:
- Soil quality around your arena
- Local watershed health
- Long-term environmental sustainability
Resource Conservation
Premium additives like EcoStride use recycled materials, helping to:
- Divert waste from landfills
- Reduce demand for virgin materials
- Support circular economy principles
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will reducing watering frequency negatively impact my arena footing quality?
A: Not with the right combination of efficient watering and premium additives. The SprinklAir™ system ensures even moisture distribution, while additives like Levitare, EcoStride, and FoamFooting maintain optimal moisture levels between waterings. Many facilities report improved footing consistency after implementing these combined solutions.
Q: How much water can I realistically save with this approach?
A: Most facilities using the combined approach of SprinklAir™ with premium moisture-retaining additives report water reductions of 50-70%. Actual savings will depend on your climate, arena usage, and specific additive choice.
Q: Do I need to completely replace my existing footing to add water-conserving additives?
A: No. Additives like Levitare, EcoStride, and FoamFooting can be incorporated into most existing sand-based footing materials. Our Arena Renovation Service can help integrate these additives with minimal disruption.
Q: How do different climate regions affect water conservation strategies?
A: Climate significantly impacts your approach:
Arid regions (Southwest, Western states):
- Prioritize additives with maximum water retention (FoamFooting)
- Consider deeper footing depth to maintain subsurface moisture
- Implement more frequent light watering rather than occasional deep watering
Humid regions (Southeast, East Coast):
- Focus on additives that prevent oversaturation (Levitare)
- Develop drainage strategies for rainfall management
- Use SprinklAir™ primarily for maintaining consistent moisture
Seasonal regions (Midwest, Northern states):
- Adjust approaches seasonally with different SprinklAir™ settings
- Select versatile additives like EcoStride that perform well in varying conditions
- Develop distinct summer and winter maintenance protocols
For personalized recommendations based on your location, contact our Regional Footing Specialists.
Conclusion: The Future of Arena Water Management
Water is becoming an increasingly precious resource, and responsible arena management means embracing water conservation without compromising footing quality. By combining the precision watering capabilities of SprinklAir™ with the moisture-retaining properties of premium additives like Levitare, EcoStride, and FoamFooting, you create a sustainable system that delivers multiple benefits:
- Dramatic reduction in water consumption
- Consistent, high-quality riding surface
- Lower maintenance costs and labor requirements
- Environmental sustainability
- Long-term arena footing performance
The technology and materials exist today to transform your arena into a model of water efficiency. The only question is: Are you ready to make the change?
Contact our specialists today to learn how a customized combination of SprinklAir™ and premium footing additives can revolutionize your arena’s water management.
Performance Footing is dedicated to providing innovative, sustainable solutions for equestrian facilities of all types. Our team of experts understands the unique challenges arena owners face and is committed to enhancing both horse health and environmental stewardship through superior products and systems.
