No matter what the size of your horse arena looks like, maintaining a stable footing is essential to the well-being of your animals and the overall success of your operation. For horse owners and small boarding facilities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, choosing the right watering strategy can make the difference between hours of daily maintenance and a virtually maintenance-free riding surface.
One of the most crucial aspects of arena footing care is establishing a consistent arena watering system that keeps your arena surface moist and firmly packed in place, even in harsh, dry climates. However, with innovative solutions like Performance Footing’s SprinklAir automated system and the revolutionary waterless Arena Green footing, you now have more options than ever to create the perfect riding environment while saving time, money, and precious water resources.
Understanding the True Cost of Arena Watering
Traditional arena watering demands significant resources that many facility owners underestimate. Assuming standard moisture levels, the typical outdoor arena will require more than 2,500 gallons of water daily. For a standard 60×120 foot arena, this translates to annual water costs that can exceed thousands of dollars, not including the labor required for daily watering or the initial investment in irrigation infrastructure.
Beyond the financial impact, inconsistent watering creates dangerous riding conditions. Overwatering can result in squishy ground with insufficient traction or support, while underwatering leads to excessive dust, reduced cushion, and potential respiratory issues for both horses and riders. The challenge lies in maintaining that perfect moisture balance day after day, season after season.
Traditional Watering Methods: Benefits and Limitations
Garden Hose: The Budget-Friendly Starting Point
It may seem too simple, but a heavy-duty garden hose remains an accessible entry point for smaller facilities or those just starting out. Most horse arenas include built-in water connections, allowing you to maintain your footing using a basic high-velocity spray nozzle and dedicated effort to ensure complete coverage.
While affordable and readily available, this method requires significant manual labor and often results in inconsistent moisture distribution. For facilities with limited budgets or very small arenas, a garden hose can serve as a temporary solution until more efficient options become feasible. However, the time investment and uneven results make this impractical for most commercial operations or larger arenas.
Standard Sprinkler Systems: Automation on a Budget
Standard sprinkler systems represent a significant upgrade from manual watering, primarily due to their automation features that allow you to evenly water your footing without constant supervision. Tripod sprinkler stands, easily found online or through arena supply stores, allow each sprinkler head to rotate periodically, reducing the risk of over or under watering.
For many small to medium-sized facilities, sprinkler systems offer the best balance of affordability and effectiveness. However, achieving complete coverage often requires multiple units strategically placed around the arena perimeter, and wind conditions can significantly impact water distribution patterns.
Overhead Sprinkler Systems: Professional-Grade Coverage
When you’re ready to invest in a more advanced solution, overhead sprinkler systems provide the most consistent coverage for indoor arenas. Often adapted from commercial greenhouse technology, these systems mount along arena rafters and include automated controls that shut down after each watering cycle, preventing excess water from dripping on horses or creating puddles.
Most importantly, overhead sprinklers provide the evenest coverage for riding arenas, helping extend the life of your footing and maintain a steady environment for riders. While the initial investment exceeds other options, the labor savings and superior results make overhead systems the preferred choice for serious equestrian facilities.
Revolutionary SprinklAir: The Game-Changing Automated Solution
Performance Footing’s SprinklAir represents a breakthrough in arena watering technology, combining the coverage benefits of professional irrigation with the simplicity of plug-and-play operation. This self-propelled, automatic irrigation system delivers even, controlled water distribution across your arena, paddock, or dry lot without requiring expensive in-ground sprinkler systems or hours of manual labor.
Simply connect SprinklAir to a standard water hose, set the adjustable irrigation speed, and let it automatically travel across your arena. With a 131-foot hose and a sprinkler reach of up to 11,500 square feet, it provides consistent moisture coverage without oversaturation or dry spots. The system eliminates the need for dragging hoses or manually repositioning sprinklers, making it the ultimate time-saving solution for equestrians, trainers, and facility owners.
What sets SprinklAir apart is its versatility. Beyond arena applications, it excels at watering paddocks, dry lots, lunging pens, and even landscaping. Whether you need light dust suppression or deep hydration for footing maintenance, this automated irrigation system delivers precision watering with minimal effort. Users report dramatic time savings compared to traditional methods – one satisfied customer noted, “I used to have to haul in my water cart and fill that up then drive around. Saves our barn (and me) soooo much time.”
The Ultimate Solution: Arena Green Waterless Footing
While efficient watering systems represent a significant improvement over manual methods, Performance Footing’s Arena Green eliminates the need for watering altogether. This revolutionary footing material promises a dust-free experience without relying on irrigation, waxes, or chemicals, fundamentally changing how facility owners approach arena maintenance.
Arena Green consists of carefully manufactured sand combined with proprietary natural binding agents and performance fibers. The product arrives premixed, bagged, and ready to install directly on your free-draining base, requiring no additional sand or top footing. Made from 99% biorenewable carbon, this non-synthetic and non-oil-based solution provides exceptional cushion and stability while completely eliminating dust.
The economic advantages of Arena Green become clear when considering long-term costs. Priced at $5.50 per square foot for 4 inches of depth, the initial investment quickly pays for itself through eliminated water bills, reduced labor costs, and minimal maintenance requirements. For a standard 60×120 foot arena requiring 200-600 gallons of water daily, Arena Green can save tens of thousands of dollars annually in water and labor costs alone.
Making the Right Choice for Your Facility
Factors to Consider
Selecting the optimal watering solution depends on several key factors unique to your facility. Climate plays a crucial role – facilities in arid regions face different challenges than those in humid environments. Indoor versus outdoor arena placement significantly impacts both watering needs and available solutions. Your budget, both initial and ongoing, must align with your chosen approach.
Consider also the size of your operation and available labor resources. A small private facility might find SprinklAir provides the perfect balance of automation and affordability, while larger commercial operations might justify the investment in Arena Green for its labor-saving benefits and consistent performance.
Installation and Maintenance Considerations
Each watering solution presents different installation requirements. Garden hoses require minimal setup but demand maximum ongoing effort. Sprinkler systems need strategic placement and seasonal adjustments. SprinklAir offers simple deployment with immediate results. Arena Green requires proper base preparation but delivers virtually maintenance-free performance for years.
When evaluating total cost of ownership, factor in not just equipment costs but also water usage, labor hours, and the indirect costs of inconsistent footing conditions. Poor moisture control can lead to increased veterinary bills, reduced lesson bookings, and accelerated footing replacement cycles.
Enhancing Your System with Complementary Products
Regardless of which watering system you choose, having the right footing and base materials can significantly reduce your overall maintenance requirements. Performance Footing’s BaseCore geocell technology creates superior drainage and stability, allowing water to move freely through your arena base while preventing material migration and surface irregularities.
For facilities using traditional watering methods, additives like FoamFooting or textile blends can improve moisture retention, reducing watering frequency without compromising performance. These materials work synergistically with your chosen watering system to create optimal riding conditions with minimal maintenance.
The Future of Arena Maintenance
The evolution from manual watering to automated systems like SprinklAir, and ultimately to waterless solutions like Arena Green, represents a fundamental shift in arena management philosophy. Rather than fighting daily battles against dust and moisture imbalances, modern facility owners can invest in systems that provide consistent, professional-quality footing with minimal intervention.
Water conservation concerns will only intensify in coming years, making efficient watering systems and waterless alternatives increasingly attractive. Facilities that adopt these technologies today position themselves as industry leaders while enjoying immediate benefits in reduced costs and improved riding conditions.
Taking Action for Your Arena
Whether you’re building a new arena or upgrading existing facilities, the time to evaluate your watering strategy is now. Start by honestly assessing your current water usage, labor costs, and rider satisfaction levels. Calculate the true cost of your existing system, including hidden expenses like inconsistent lesson bookings due to poor footing conditions.
For facilities ready to embrace automation without major infrastructure changes, SprinklAir offers an immediate solution that can transform your daily maintenance routine. Simply roll it out, turn it on, and watch as it methodically waters your entire arena with consistent, even coverage.
For those prepared to make a transformative investment in their facility’s future, Arena Green represents the ultimate in low-maintenance, high-performance footing. Eliminate water bills, reduce labor to occasional grooming, and provide your riders with consistent, dust-free conditions year-round.
Contact Performance Footing today at 877-835-0878 to discuss your specific needs and discover which solution will best serve your facility. Their team of equestrian experts understands the unique challenges you face and can guide you toward the perfect balance of performance, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. Your horses, riders, and bottom line will thank you for making the smart choice in arena watering solutions.