Good footing is key to successful training, performance and health of horses in a riding arena. The ideal arena provides a firm support with some cushion.

Daniel Dean builds riding arenas to professionally recognized standards.

Riding arenas require a firm sub-base, a stable base layer and a flexible top coat.

The bottom layer—or sub-base—is created by first removing the top-soil from the existing ground, then compacting until the ground reaches near maximum density.

Next, the base layer is constructed. This area has a stable base such as compacted select fill and is also prepared by using compacting equipment. The grading, slight crown leveling, compacting of imported select fill and a top coat of 2 to 3 inches of clean bank sand is spread evenly on top of the base.