The difference between a professional-quality arena and one that frustrates riders daily often comes down to installation—not the materials you choose. Even premium footing fails when installed incorrectly, creating dangerous deep spots, dust clouds, or rock-hard surfaces that put horses at risk.
Yet many arena owners approach installation as an afterthought, assuming they can simply dump sand and additives, spread them around, and start riding. This costly mistake leads to repeated do-overs, wasted materials, and arenas that never perform as promised.
The good news? Installing arena footing like a pro doesn’t require specialized equipment or crews. With modern materials like Levitare and Noviun, you can achieve professional results using basic tools and smart techniques. This guide walks you through each critical step, from selecting the right sand to achieving that perfect blend that eliminates common problems like compaction, looseness, and dust.
Start With Sand: The Foundation of Success
Before opening a single bag of additives, your sand selection determines whether your arena will thrive or constantly fight you. The wrong sand renders even the best additives ineffective, while proper sand creates the foundation for years of exceptional riding.
Understanding Sand Specifications
Not all sand is created equal for equestrian use. Beach sand and play sand—while readily available—spell disaster for arenas. Their rounded particles refuse to lock together, creating a shifting, unstable surface that deepens with every stride.
THE SHAPE TEST
Look at sand under magnification (even a phone camera works). Angular, sharp-edged particles interlock like puzzle pieces, creating stability. Round particles roll past each other like marbles, guaranteeing a loose, shifty surface that exhausts horses and frustrates riders.
What you need: Angular or sub-angular sand with mixed particle sizes (technically called “well-graded”). This combination allows smaller particles to fill gaps between larger ones, creating a stable matrix that supports your horse while still providing cushion.
Ideal specifications:
- Particle size range: 0.05mm to 2mm
- Shape: Angular to sub-angular
- Silica content: 95%+ for durability
- Clay/silt content: Less than 5%
- Color: Lighter colors reflect heat, staying cooler
Common Sand Selection Mistakes
Masonry sand: Too fine and uniform, becomes dusty and compacts into concrete-like hardness. Many arenas fail because owners choose masonry sand for its low price and availability.
Concrete sand: Often contains too many fines (particles under 0.05mm) that create dust when dry and slippery mud when wet. The excess fines fill air pockets needed for cushioning.
River sand: Usually too rounded from water erosion. While it drains well, it provides poor stability and requires frequent maintenance to prevent excessive depth.
SAND SOURCING SECRET
Visit your quarry with a jar of water. Add sand, shake vigorously, and let settle. Murky water indicates excess fines that will create dust. Clear water with distinct sand layers shows proper washing and grading. This simple test saves thousands in future dust control efforts.
Why Fiber and Soft Rubber Additives Transform Your Arena
Pure sand arenas face inevitable challenges. Too shallow, and horses work on an unforgiving surface. Too deep, and they struggle through exhausting, unstable footing. Temperature swings compound these issues—wet sand compacts into hardpan while dry sand becomes a dust bowl.
Enter modern additives that solve these persistent problems:
Addressing Compaction
Compaction occurs when sand particles pack tightly together, eliminating the air pockets that provide cushioning. Traditional solutions involved constant dragging and watering, fighting a losing battle against physics.
Levitare’s approach: These bio-based rubber particles act as tiny springs throughout your sand, maintaining space between particles even under pressure. The material’s unique cell structure prevents sand from achieving maximum density, keeping your surface responsive and forgiving.
Noviun’s method: Natural fibers create a three-dimensional web within the sand, physically preventing particles from settling into their tightest configuration. Think of it as adding tiny roots throughout your footing that maintain structure and loft.
Solving Looseness and Instability
Loose footing exhausts horses, increases injury risk, and makes precise movements difficult. Yet simply compacting sand creates the opposite problem.
Modern additives provide the perfect middle ground. They bind sand particles together enough to provide stability while maintaining the flexibility needed for safe movement. Levitare’s fabric component grips sand particles, creating cohesion without hardness. Noviun’s fiber network provides similar binding through mechanical interaction rather than chemical adhesion.
Minimizing Dust Naturally
Dust isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a health hazard that traditional watering barely controls. Smart additives attack dust at its source by holding moisture within the footing matrix.
MOISTURE RETENTION REVOLUTION
Both Levitare and Noviun can reduce watering frequency by 50-70% compared to pure sand. Their hydrophilic (water-loving) properties trap moisture where it’s needed most—between sand particles where dust originates.
The result? Arenas that stay dust-free longer while using less water, saving money and time while protecting respiratory health.
Pre-Installation Preparation: Setting the Stage
Professional results require professional preparation. Rushing this phase guarantees problems that multiply over time.
Evaluating Your Base
Your arena base acts like a house foundation—invisible when done right, but the source of endless problems when wrong. Before adding any footing:
Check for proper crown or slope: A 1-2% grade (1-2 feet of fall per 100 feet) ensures drainage without creating noticeable tilting. Use a transit level or even a long straight board with a level to verify.
Test compaction: Drive a metal rod into the base at multiple points. Consistent resistance indicates proper compaction. Soft spots need addressing before proceeding.
Assess drainage: Pour a bucket of water in several locations. Water should disappear within minutes, not pool or create muddy spots. Poor drainage requires base rehabilitation before installing footing.
Calculating Material Quantities
Nothing frustrates me more than running short of materials mid-installation. Precise calculations prevent costly delays and ensure consistent depth throughout your arena.
Sand calculation formula: Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Depth (ft) ÷ 27 = Cubic yards needed
Example: 100ft × 200ft arena at 3 inches depth 100 × 200 × 0.25 ÷ 27 = 185 cubic yards
Always order 10% extra to account for compaction and variation in actual vs. theoretical coverage.
Additive Calculations Made Simple
Levitare: One 25lb bag covers approximately 100-150 square feet when mixed at recommended ratios. For a 20,000 sq ft arena, plan on 130-200 bags depending on desired concentration.
Noviun: Each 500lb super sack covers approximately 2,000-3,000 square feet. The same arena needs 7-10 sacks for optimal performance.
INSTALLATION WEATHER WINDOW
Schedule installation during dry conditions with temperatures between 50-80°F. Wet sand is heavy and difficult to blend. Extreme heat exhausts workers and horses. Cold temperatures make materials stiff and challenging to mix properly. Plan accordingly for best results.
Step-by-Step Installation Process
With preparation complete and materials on hand, successful installation follows a systematic approach that ensures even distribution and proper blending.
Phase 1: Initial Sand Placement
Start with a clean slate. Remove any old footing that’s contaminated or beyond rehabilitation. Trying to “fix” bad footing by adding good materials wastes money and delivers mediocre results.
Spread sand in progressive layers rather than dumping the entire load. Use a box blade, landscape rake, or even hand rakes to achieve a rough grade. Don’t aim for perfection yet—you’ll fine-tune depth after adding additives.
Professional technique: Work in sections, completing one area before moving to the next. This prevents repeatedly traveling over fresh material and creating inconsistent compaction.
Phase 2: Introducing Additives
This phase separates amateur installations from professional results. Random distribution creates pockets of too much or too little additive, leading to inconsistent performance across your arena.
For Levitare (25lb bags):
The lightweight bags make grid-pattern distribution simple. Mark your arena into 10×10 foot squares using cones or stakes. Place bags evenly throughout each grid square—like planting seeds in rows.
Cut bags open in place rather than carrying and dumping. This prevents wind loss and ensures even coverage. The material’s light weight means you can work systematically without heavy equipment.
Once distributed, use a chain harrow or arena groomer to blend Levitare into the top 2-3 inches of sand. Multiple passes at different angles ensure thorough mixing. The goal is invisibility—you shouldn’t see distinct pockets of additives anywhere.
For Noviun (500lb super sacks):
The larger sacks require equipment assistance but offer efficiency for bigger projects. Use a tractor with forks or a skid steer to position sacks strategically around your arena.
Cut the bottom of each sack to release material in controlled piles. A utility knife works well—cut just enough to allow steady flow rather than catastrophic dumping. Spread each pile immediately to prevent concentration.
DISTRIBUTION TECHNIQUE
Whether using a tractor bucket or manure spreader, maintain consistent ground speed and overlap passes by 20%. This prevents striping (visible lines of heavy/light coverage) that creates uneven performance.
After initial spreading, use your arena groomer to blend Noviun throughout the sand depth. The fibers need thorough integration to create their stabilizing network.
Phase 3: Moisture Introduction
Dry blending only achieves partial integration. Proper moisture activates the binding properties of both additives and helps materials settle into their working configuration.
Apply water in light, even applications—think morning dew, not thunderstorm. Too much water too fast creates surface pooling and drives additives deeper than intended. Use a travelling sprinkler or spray nozzle that produces fine droplets.
Allow each application to soak in before adding more. The goal is consistent moisture throughout the footing depth, not just surface wetness. This process might take multiple sessions over several days.
Phase 4: Final Grading and Compaction
Once materials are blended and properly moistened, establish your final working surface. Use a laser-guided box blade for large arenas or hand tools for smaller spaces.
Create subtle drainage while maintaining consistent depth. Even a perfectly flat arena needs a slight grade to prevent pooling. Aim for 1% slope—barely noticeable to riders but enough for water movement.
Light compaction sets materials without over-packing. A cultipacker or lawn roller works well. You want to eliminate air pockets while maintaining a cushion. The surface should feel firm but springy, like a quality mattress.
Discipline-Specific Considerations
Different riding disciplines demand different footing characteristics. Fortunately, modern additives allow customization during installation.
Dressage Arenas
Precision movements require consistent, stable footing that returns energy without being hard. Install sand at 2-2.5 inches depth with slightly higher additive concentrations. This creates the firm-yet-forgiving surface dressage horses need for collection and extension.
Focus extra attention on achieving a perfectly level grade—even minor variations affect movement quality. Consider a slightly firmer perimeter track where most work occurs.
Jumping Arenas
Impact absorption takes priority for jumping surfaces. Install sand at 3-4 inches depth with standard additive ratios. The deeper footing provides cushioning for takeoffs and landings while additives prevent excessive depth that would exhaust horses.
Pay special attention to landing zones and approach areas to jumps. These high-impact areas benefit from slightly higher additive concentrations for enhanced stability and cushioning.
Western Disciplines
Reining and cutting require controlled slide capabilities while maintaining support. Install sand at 3-4 inches with reduced additive concentration in sliding areas. This allows the controlled movement these disciplines require while preventing dangerous deep spots.
Consider zoned installation—firmer perimeter for warm-up and conditioning, looser center for pattern work. Modern additives make this customization possible without visible boundaries.
INSTALLATION MILESTONE
After completing installation, document your exact depths, additive ratios, and moisture levels. This baseline data proves invaluable for future maintenance and helps diagnose any issues that arise. Take photos from consistent angles to track changes over time.
Post-Installation Best Practices
Your arena’s first 30 days determine its long-term performance. Like a cast-iron skillet, proper seasoning creates a surface that improves with age rather than deteriorating.
The Critical Settling Period
Fresh installations need time to stabilize. Resist the urge to immediately resume full training schedules. Start with light flatwork, gradually increasing intensity as materials settle into their working configuration.
Monitor moisture levels closely during this period. New installations often need more frequent watering as materials find their equilibrium. Once settled, you’ll notice dramatically reduced water requirements—one of the major benefits of quality additives.
Early Maintenance Patterns
Establish grooming routines immediately. Daily dragging prevents patterns from becoming permanent. Use equipment with adjustable depth to avoid disturbing the crucial interface between base and footing.
Vary your dragging patterns—north-south one day, east-west the next, diagonals periodically. This prevents directional grooves and maintains consistent texture throughout your arena.
Signs of Success
Within two weeks, you should notice:
- Consistent moisture retention without daily watering
- Minimal dust even during active riding
- Stable depth that doesn’t develop holes or mounds
- Improved horse confidence and willing forward movement
- Reduced grooming time to maintain quality surface
If these benefits aren’t apparent, revisit your installation process. Often, insufficient additive integration or improper moisture during installation causes subpar results.
Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues
Even careful installations sometimes need adjustment. Recognizing and addressing issues early prevents minor problems from becoming major failures.
Uneven Additive Distribution
Symptoms: Patches of different consistency, some areas dusty while others hold moisture, inconsistent horse performance across arena
Solutions: Add small amounts of additive to deficient areas during regular grooming. Use multiple light applications rather than heavy single doses. Over several weeks, normal maintenance will help blend materials more thoroughly.
Excessive Depth in High-Traffic Areas
Symptoms: Horses struggling in corners or along rail, visible depression in common track patterns, fatigue during normal work
Solutions: Redistribute footing from low-traffic center to worn paths. Consider adding 10-20% more additive to high-wear areas for enhanced binding. Adjust grooming patterns to move material back to problem zones.
Persistent Dust Despite Additives
Symptoms: Visible dust during riding, respiratory irritation, ineffective watering
Solutions: Verify your sand doesn’t contain excess fines—this requires sand replacement, not more additives. Check if additives were thoroughly integrated at proper depths. Consider adding a dust suppressant like DustHalt for severe cases.
PATIENCE PAYS
Most installation issues resolve with time and proper maintenance. Resist the urge to constantly add materials or make dramatic changes. Document conditions for two weeks before making adjustments—patterns become clearer with data than daily frustrations.
The Long-Term Payoff
Proper installation might seem demanding, but the rewards multiply over time. Arenas installed correctly with quality additives like Levitare or Noviun typically show:
Reduced Maintenance: 50-70% less grooming time compared to pure sand. The binding action of additives maintains consistency with minimal intervention.
Water Savings: Many facilities report 60% reduction in water usage. This translates to thousands of dollars saved annually in drought-prone regions.
Extended Lifespan: While sand-only arenas need topping off every 2-3 years, properly installed additive-enhanced arenas often last 5-7 years before needing refresh.
Improved Horse Health: Consistent, supportive footing reduces concussion injuries and promotes confidence. Dust reduction protects respiratory systems for career longevity.
Rider Satisfaction: Nothing builds loyalty like reliable, high-quality footing. Your installation investment pays dividends in retained clients and positive word-of-mouth.
Making It Happen
Installing arena footing like a pro requires attention to detail but not extraordinary skill. By selecting the right sand, choosing proven additives like Levitare or Noviun, and following systematic installation procedures, you create an arena that enhances rather than hinders your equestrian activities.
Remember that no special drags or exotic equipment are necessary—these modern materials work with standard arena maintenance tools. The real secret lies in patience, proper preparation, and allowing materials time to create their optimal working matrix.
Ready to transform your arena?
Visit performancefooting.com to explore Levitare, Noviun, and other innovative additives that simplify installation while delivering professional results. Our arena specialists can calculate exact quantities for your project and provide region-specific installation guidance.
Stop fighting your footing. Install it right once, and enjoy years of exceptional riding on surfaces that support your equestrian goals.
Performance Footing pioneered user-friendly arena additives that deliver professional results without complicated installation requirements. From convenient 25lb bags of Levitare to efficient 500lb super sacks of Noviun, we make arena excellence achievable for facilities of every size and budget.