Is Slippery Footing Causing Damage To Your Horse?

August 12, 2015

asdfasfA five-day rain stretch has finally come to a close and you decide it’s the perfect time to take your horse outside to train and get some fresh air. Although the ground is a little soggy and wet you’re sure he’ll be okay. After you start to lunge him you notice that he’s already sliding all over the place on the slippery footing. So you decide that although you love the fresh air, it might be better to take him inside the riding arena. But once you start riding inside, you realize he still doesn’t seem to be griping the arena footing right. What is going on?

In the collection of the published scientific papers titled Equine Surfaces White Paper, eight different researchers came together to study how the different surfaces that horses train or work or ride on, can greatly affect the horse’s ability or performance. Although I have been riding horses my entire life, I never realized how surfaces truly could affect riding. When riding, the hoof to surface impact has roughly four phases: primary impact, secondary impact, midstance, and rollover. Just to keep things short and sweet we can focus on the secondary impact. This is when the hoof has completely met the surface, and the body of the horse tends to push the hoof forward. The surface that the horse is training or working on can greatly affect just how much hoof slide the horse has. A small amount of hoof slide is the correct amount, not too much but not too little. However, if the area where the horse is has a very slippery surface, and the hooves are sliding too much, this can lead to injury in the muscles and bones in the legs of the horse from large frictional forces.

During these rainy weeks we have been having, horses still need to be trained and most of the time, training continues in an indoor riding arena. It can get very dusty and sometimes the materials that are used can create this slippery situation we just discussed. If you are riding in an arena, whether indoor or outdoor, where the footing isn’t ideal, maybe it’s time to look into new materials to put down in this area. If it comes time to change these conditions, look no further than TruStride® by IGK Equestrian. TruStride® has the perfect combination of pure silica sand, shoe sole rubber granules, and a special wax that makes the perfect indoor arena material. The combined materials create a uniform surface that is flexible, resilient, and dust free! The rubber granules in the special mixture allow the horse to rebound off of the surface with the correct amount of hoof slide. When you have TruStride® in your arena, you can focus more on the training of your horse, and not on worrying about a slippery arena footing and the damage it could cause.

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The Top 5 Complaints About Arena Footing

August 12, 2015

I know I know, it has been awhile since I’ve posted a blog on Carolyn’s Footing and Bedding Blog, but I’m back now, and will be posting regularly! Don’t you worry!

Over the years, Peter and I have heard dozens of reasons why people want toIMG_2358upgrade their arena footing. Here are the top five, each one guaranteed to make your horse look for the fastest way out of the ring.

  • Complaint #5: Too hard. Nothing makes a horse ring-sour faster than training on a highly compacted, unyielding surface that fails to absorb the shock of concussive hoof force. Except, perhaps, a riding surface that’s…
  • Complaint #4: Too deep. How deep is too deep? Generally, anything deeper than six inches has the potential to strain tendons and ligaments or pull a shoe. Exceptions can be made for reining or cutting, where a deeper layer of footing material is desirable.
  • Complaint #3: Too cuppy. A dry, loose surface that breaks away under your horse’s hooves can make him bow a tendon, strain a suspensory or slip a stifle. At the very least, it will make him resent his job. And maybe you.
  • Complaint #2: Too much maintenance. The last thing you want is an arena that requires an hour of maintenance for every hour of riding. We hear this complaint most often with loose materials like sand and stonedust that require frequent dragging and daily watering to keep dust under control. Which naturally leads us to the #1 complaint about arena footing…
  • Complaint #1: Too dusty.  Airborne dust can cause eye, nose and respiratory problems (including asthma attacks) in both riders and horses, reduce the amount of available oxygen at the time the horse needs it most, impact visibility, alarm your neighbors and require up to thousands of gallons of water a day just to keep it under control. Dust is far and away the biggest headache for owners of sand and stonedust arenas.

Fortunately, a dust-free footing like TruStride®, composed of recycled rubber, fiber, sand and wax, provides a properly cushioned, stable, supportivesurface that never needs watering because it’s truly dust-free. Peter and I have installed TruStride® (and its economical cousin, LiteStride®) in more than 250 indoor and outdoor arenas throughout North America. Now folks in these facilities are spending more time training – and less time complaining.

What’s your biggest beef with arena footing?

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Arena Footing: It’s Not Just About Feet.

April 1, 2013

Arena footing may cause injuryArena footing isn’t just about the feet—but about the horse’s entire body. Arena footing influences the entire musculoskeletal system, including bones, muscles, joints, tendons and cartilage. Choosing the right type of footing is important because some surfaces can be a potential risk factor for injuries.

  • Coffin bone fracture is a common fracture among horses who ride fast on hard surfaces. When a material, such as clay or stone dust dries out, it compacts and forms a hard surface, causing horses to move stiffly. Since materials can compact over time, adding an amendment helps reduce compaction and can provide cushioning necessary for good leg and tendon support.
  • Degenerative joint disease (DJD) can be developed due to repeated shock impact of the hoof with the ground, which can lead to progressive and severe cartilage damage. Surfaces with lower-impact resistance absorb more energy and reduce shock to the hoof and leg. Sand has a lower impact resistance, but very deep or dry sand can lead to injuries other than those caused by impact shock.

Wax-coated sand, rubber and fiber arena footing materials can help reduce the shock of contact between the hoof and the surface. To help prevent the risk of developing tendinitis, fractures and joint injuries, be sure to train on a wax-coated footing surface like TruStride® or LiteStride® by IGK Equestrian. TruStride and LiteStride not only provide a stable, flexible and resilient riding surface, but are among the best footings to prevent injuries in the arena.

How do you prevent injuries in your arena?

Posted in Amendment, Arena footing, Horse Comfort, IGK Equestrian, LiteStride, Rubber Mat, Sand arena, TruStride | Leave a Comment »

10 Most Popular Posts on Carolyn’s Footing and Bedding Blog

March 12, 2013

Top 10 Arena Footing and Stall BeddingOver a year ago, I wrote my first post introducing myself as part owner of IGK Equestrian.  I created this blog so I could address some of the main challenges associated with arena footing and stall bedding and share success stories from people who have used the products. I’ve covered topics ranging from dust control in arenas to tips on how to “go green” in a horse stall. Here, in reverse order, are the 10 most popular posts to date on Carolyn’s Footing and Bedding Blog.

#10: Is Your Horse Eating in Bed? This post revealed horses on restricted calorie diets were ingesting wood shavings in their stalls. Typically, wood shavings aren’t a horse’s “go-to” snack, but when on a diet, bedding can look pretty tasty!

#9: Fuming Over Stall Odor. When drainage is poor, or stalls aren’t mucked out regularly ammonia fumes and bacteria can build up. This can be irritating and harmful for both horses and humans.

#8: The Link Between Sand Footing and Lameness. A study by the University of Glasgow showed the type of arena footing, specifically sand, can be a risk factor for lameness in dressage horses.

#7: Cutting Back on Bedding. Replenishing materials and mucking out stalls can be a hassle. This post suggests using a mat system with a waterproof top cover because it helps reduce the amount of bedding and disposal costs.

#6: Is it Time to Change my Stall Mats? If you are using a lighter- weight mat, you may have to remove it once a month to re-level the stall; however, with heavier mats, this may only be a semi-annual event.

#5: Horse Stalls can “Go Green” Too! At a young age we learned the 3 R’s: Reduce, Recycle and Reuse. This popular post proposes ways to make environmentally-friendly choices when it comes to your horse’s bedding!

#4: My Names Carolyn “I’m an Arena Footing Freak!” This was my first post introducing myself as an arena footing freak! From this point on I aimed to educate my readers about both arena footing and stall bedding.

#3: Dust Control in your Arena. Dust in the arena is common, and suggestions on how to control dust is a topic we’ve returned to time and again on this blog.

#2: How to Create a Safe Foaling Stall. A lot of people are searching the Internet for ways to create a safe foaling stall. Needless to say, quite a few of them are landing on this post.

#1: Solid Rubber Mat vs. Foam Mattress…Which is Ideal for Your Stalls? This informational post compared two popular types of stall mats. If it helped you make a decision, I’d love to hear from you!

Posted in Arena footing, Bedding, Carolyn, Dust, Foal, Foaling season, Horse Comfort, IGK Equestrian, Lameness, Rubber Mat, Sand arena, Shavings, Stall Hygiene, Stall mats, Stall odor | Leave a Comment »

Meet TruStride customer Nancy Rosen!

March 1, 2013

TruStride at Frog Hollow Farm

Nancy Rosen is the owner of Frog Hollow Farm, a dressage training facility in Esopus, NY. Nancy installed TruStride arena footing at Frog Hollow two years ago, and is happy to answer questions about her experience.

How did you hear about TruStride?

At the time I was doing a lot of reading about various arena footings out there, searching for an alternative to sand.

What made you choose TruStride?

I wanted a surface that would absorb the shock of hitting the hard ground but at the same time wouldn’t absorb the bounce that dressage needed. Ultimately, I didn’t want a footing that was dead. I needed a more lively surface. These factors lead me to TruStride and I’ve been extremely happy ever since.

What were you using before installing TruStride?

My former outdoor arena was made up of a combination of stone dust and sand. I’ve tried many materials over the years but I couldn’t find a footing that gave me everything I wanted. The indoor facility was initially made up of composted manure but it created a lot of dust. So I tried switching to sand, which was also dusty and it didn’t have enough bounce—it just absorbed all the energy. That is why I’m so glad I came across TruStride. I ended up building it on top of the dormer outdoor arena and it is now the footing in the indoor facility.

Have you noticed a difference?

TruStride has made a huge difference in the arena. The horses really move well on it and the riders love it, too! TruStride absorbs harshness in the stride which makes the horse’s movements feel so much softer.

Anything else?

The people at IGK Equestrian are wonderful to deal with. They are very responsive and easy to get a hold of. Every now and then I will call to ask if they can tweak the footing a little bit and they always do it. I have been extremely pleased with my experience. In fact, I just recommended them to someone else!

For more information on TruStride®, Dust-Free Arena Footing, visit IGK Equestrian.

Posted in Arena footing, Carolyn, Dust, IGK Equestrian, Sand arena, TruStride | Leave a Comment »

Should You Cut Back On Hay Bedding?

February 18, 2013

Reduce hay bedding with SuperStall by IGK EquestrianAre you using hay in your stalls? According to an article in The Horse, dust particles, mold spores and fibrous plant materials found in hay can cause severe respiration irritation when inhaled by horses. Together, these irritants can result in shortness of breath, coughing and other symptoms which can impact training and exercise. In addition, a recent university study shows that mature hay for bedding can be dangerous for pregnant mares in the third trimester due to fescue toxicity. Here are four safety tips for horses bedded on hay:

 1. Wet the hay: A study conducted at the University of Edinburgh suggests wetting hay before it is put in stalls can significantly reduce dust concentration. The most effective way of limiting dust is by immersing hay in water and then immediately putting it in the stall. If not done right away, the hay will dry which could allow respirable dust levels to increase.

2. Remove horses while mucking: The study concluded dust levels are higher when there is a lot of activity in the barn. Therefore, remove horses while mucking out stalls or during any other frequent activity.

3. Test mature hay for toxins: It is not uncommon for horses to eat their bedding. Tall fescues may contain high levels of the toxin ergovaline. This could cause problems for pregnant mares and their unborn foal. Ergovaline tests can cost up to $50 per sample, but it is money well spent to protect your mare.

4. Select alternative bedding: Reducing the amount of hay used for bedding can reduce the risks posed by dust irritants and/or fescue toxicity. SuperStall® Foam Mattress by IGK Equestrian features a waterproof industrial top cover which creates a “moisture tray” that allows all liquids and manure to be captured on top and easily removed. This not only results in a cleaner, drier environment but it also reduces the amount of hay and other bedding needed in the stall.

Which bedding would you choose to keep your horses safe?

Posted in Bedding, Dust, Foaling season, Horse Comfort, IGK Equestrian, Memory Foam, Respiratory Issues, Rubber Mat, Stall mats, SuperStall, Top Cover | Leave a Comment »

IGK Arena Footing Ads Win Big!

January 31, 2013

IGK Arena Footing AdI am thrilled to announce two of IGK Equestrian advertisements, created by LP&M Advertising, were among the winning entries in the regional “Best of NAMA” competition for the  National Agri-Marketing Association!

For those who don’t know, this specific award show honors excellence in marketing communications for the agriculture and animal health industries. Our ads were placed in the regional competition which featured entries from agri-marketing agencies throughout the northeast United States and mid-Atlantic. Both ads displayed horses resorting to extremes to avoid dust caused by sand arenas.

Wish us luck as the entries will now advance to the national Best of NAMA competition in April!

Posted in Arena footing, Carolyn, Dust, IGK Equestrian, Sand arena, TruStride | Leave a Comment »

Promoting Safety and Good Health in the Barn

January 15, 2013

SuperStall is healthy beddingAlthough time consuming, building or renovating a barn can be an exciting project. You’ll want to design a barn that is safe and promotes good health and well-being for both horses and people.

According to a recent article in The Horse, veterinarians suggest avoiding attaching a newly constructed barn to an indoor arena. Although this is a convenient set-up, the dust produced in the arena can be harmful for horses. Dust interferes with breathing and can also lead to Inflammatory Airway Disease or IAD, a condition that causes coughing, nasal discharge and exercise intolerance.

If this isn’t realistic, or you are renovating a barn that is already attached, than limiting the amount of hay and sand in the stall will help reduce dust. These materials not only produce dust, but can also create an uneven surface, which could cause slippage. Wood shavings should also be minimized in the stall due to the risk of ingestion, which can cause serious digestive problems, including colic.

Concrete covered with rubber provides a nonslip surface that is comfortable and gentle on the horses’ joints, and is easy to clean. Frequent cleaning is important to help protect horses from oral-fecal diseases such as Salmonella infection, which can occur when moisture is trapped underneath the mats.

When it comes to building or renovating your barn, consider SuperStall™ Memory Foam Mattress by IGK Equestrian. SuperStall is a one-piece wall-to-wall, foam mattress system that features a waterproof woven top cover. The top cover creates a “moisture tray” that allows all liquids and manure to be captured on top and easily removed with the bedding. This not only reduces the amount of bedding needed to provide comfort, but also reduces the risk of slippage and disease risk.

How do you keep your horse healthy and safe in the barn?

 

Posted in Bedding, Dust, Horse Comfort, IGK Equestrian, Memory Foam, Respiratory Issues, Rubber Mat, Shavings, Stall mats, SuperStall, Top Cover | Leave a Comment »

Sand Vs. Mattresses…Which do you and your horse prefer?

December 21, 2012

90308465When choosing a surface for your stalls, how do you decide which material is best for your horse and easiest on you? Here are some advantages and disadvantages of two common stall bedding materials: sand and mattresses.

Sand:

Advantages:

  • Sand is highly absorbent and allows good drainage.
  • The surface is soft making it one of the most forgiving bedding materials for a horse’s legs.
  • Even if the sand is wet it rarely gets slippery.
  • Sand is often one of the most affordable bedding materials.

Disadvantages:

  • Pure and newly laid sand does not compact well, creating potentially dangerous tracks and pockets.
  • Because sand does not compact well, stalls must be raked daily to assure a smooth, safe surface.
  • Sand can retain dampness in cold weather, which can be uncomfortable.
  • Sand tends to have a drying effect on horse hooves.
  • Sand mixed with other bedding material can be a hassle to clean and should be replaced frequently.
  • Horses could ingest sand which could lead to possible intestinal impaction and colic.

Mattresses:

Advantages:

  • Mattresses provide a comfortable surface.
  • Because mattresses provide a more level surface, they can reduce the risk of slippage.
  • Foam and rubber mats provide insulation for a more comfortable and warm environment during the winter.
  • Mattresses tend to have a long life with added ability to withstand continued use.
  • Horses bedded on mattresses are less likely to ingest sand or wood chips.
  • Mattresses with a waterproof top cover can reduce maintenance.

Disadvantages:

  • Foam mattresses without top covers may retain odor and moisture.
  • Mattresses can be expensive; however, many come with a warranty.

When it comes to choosing a stall surface for your horse, for the best return on investment and overall comfort, it pays to choose SuperStall® by IGK Equestrian. In addition to all the advantages listed above, SuperStall features a waterproof, woven top cover which creates a “moisture tray” that allows urine and feces to be captured on top and removed with the bedding. This helps to reduce labor, disposal efforts and cost. Best of all, SuperStall comes with a 5-year warranty.

Which bedding do you prefer? Sand or Mattresses?

Posted in Bedding, Horse Comfort, IGK Equestrian, Memory Foam, Rubber Mat, Stall Hygiene, Stall mats, Stall odor, Stall Rest, SuperStall, Top Cover | Leave a Comment »

Are Your Stalls Ready For Winter?

November 30, 2012

157081684With the Farmers’ Almanac calling for a colder, snowier winter for much of the United States, it’s important to make sure your horse’s bedding is winterized! Follow these steps to ensure your horse remains dry and comfortable all winter long.

1. Remove the Manure:  Don’t believe the myth that manure keeps a horse warm. No horse wants to sleep in its own droppings, regardless of the temperature. If manure is not thoroughly removed, it can freeze, leaving your horse to lie on a bed of “manure cubes.”

2. Minimize Wood Shavings: A recent study showed horses are more likely to consume wood shavings during wet, cold weather because they are both hungry and bored. Ingesting wood shavings can cause potential serious digestive problems, including colic, so be sure to keep wood shavings to a minimum in your horse’s bedding.

3. Change Bedding Materials Frequently: Stalls bedded with wood shavings, straw, sawdust and shredded newspapers absorb a lot of moisture. These materials need to be changed frequently to ensure dryness, which can be a real chore when the temperature drops below freezing.

4.  Install Foam or Rubber Mats:  Foam and rubber mats provide insulation fora more comfortable and warm environment during cold winter days and nights. SuperStall® Foam Mattress by IGK Equestrian features a waterproof, industrial top cover which creates a “moisture tray” that allows all liquids and manure to be captured on top and easily removed. This results in a cleaner, drier environment with less need for wood shavings and other bedding materials.

Consider installing SuperStall®, and both you and your horse can look forward to winter.

What are your biggest challenges when it comes to winter stall cleaning?

Posted in Bedding, Horse Comfort, IGK Equestrian, Memory Foam, Rubber Mat, Shavings, Stall mats, Stall Rest, SuperStall, Top Cover | 1 Comment »

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