Why Choose Recycled Rubber for Equestrian Footing?

When you're building or updating a horse arena, one of the first decisions you'll make is what material to use for the footing. Many horse owners and horse arena managers want something that is softer underfoot but holds up to regular use. That’s why recycled rubber in equestrian footing has become such a popular choice for horse arenas, compared to other materials like sand, stone dust, and wood chips.

What Horses Need Underfoot to Stay Healthy

If the footing isn’t right, your horse will notice. They might move differently, hesitate, or show signs of soreness. Horse arena footing that’s too hard, too deep, or uneven can wear them down over time. You might notice stiffness, joint pain, or subtle changes in how your horse moves. 

Here’s what you need for your  horse arena footing: 

• Cushion That Supports Joint Health: Equestrian footings need a bit of give, not too soft, but enough to absorb impact. That cushion reduces joint strain during regular training.
• Consistent Traction for Steady Movement: Horses need to feel safe as they move, turn, and push off. A balanced surface keeps their movement clean and controlled without putting extra stress on the tendons.
• Low-Dust for Healthier Air Quality: Dust affects breathing and comfort for both horses and riders. Using recycled rubber in equestrian footing holds together and helps maintain cleaner air.
• Reliable Drainage for All-Weather Use: In the rainy season, you want a surface that dries quickly and stays even. Footing that drains well keeps your arena functional without puddles or slippery spots. 

When used for a horse arena, shredded rubber in equestrian footing checks all these boxes. It’s tough, consistent, and helps create a surface that performs well through daily use and changing weather. Most importantly, it helps your horse stay healthy.

Top Benefits of Recycled Rubber Footing

Equestrian footing keeps horses more comfortable, makes the arena easier to maintain, and helps the surface stay consistent. Here’s how it works:

1. Softer Landings, Less Wear

Rubber has a natural spring to it. That bounce helps absorb impact every time a hoof hits the ground. It helps jump, intense training, or work with older horses that need more cushioning.

Mixing rubber with sand or another base gives you a well-balanced surface that protects your horse’s joints, back, and legs. It can also make long rides less tiring for the rider.

2. A Surface That Stays Put

Certain footing materials lack stability. Sand, for instance, can be prone to shifting or becoming excessively deep, and wood chips also tend to move. Stone dust, on the other hand, may compact to the point of resembling concrete.

However, recycled rubber gives the surface more structure, and it stays put. Our rubber for horse arena footing helps your horse stay balanced through turns, transitions, and repeated movements.

3. Drains Well, Even After a Storm

Poor drainage can throw off your riding schedule. When water sits or the footing turns to mud, you could end up damaging the surface or putting extra stress on your horse’s hooves.

Rubber lets water move through more easily than traditional materials like clay or sand. Your horse arena stays puddle-free, dries faster, and has fewer days when it’s off-limits.

4. Less Time Spent on Maintenance 

Traditional footing needs regular work like watering, dragging, and adding more material. Organic components break down quickly when they’re wet, and can bring in pests or mold.

Rubber doesn’t break down, blow away, or compact like other materials. You won’t need to constantly fix the surface or top it off with more material. And since it helps hold moisture, you won’t have to water it as often, which is helpful indoors or if you’re in a dry climate.

5. Helps Cut Down on Dust

Dust makes breathing hard for both horses and people. Rubber helps lower dust by keeping loose materials like sand from shifting around. It also holds moisture better, so you don’t get as many airborne particles during practice.

Equestrian surfaces with rubber are helpful in indoor arenas or busy barns with lots of daily traffic, where dust builds up and good air quality can be harder to maintain.

6. A More Sustainable Choice

When you use recycled rubber in your equestrian footing, you're using material more wisely and reducing your environmental impact. 

It’s a practical option if you’re trying to make more sustainable choices, and for some facilities, it can even help meet green building goals or qualify for environmental certifications.

Where and How Rubber Footing Works Best

Rubber can be used on its own, but it’s often mixed with sand to get the right combination of cushion, traction, and long-term stability. It’s a flexible option for different types of riding spaces. 

Here are some of the best uses for recycled rubber footing:

• Indoor Arenas: Rubber helps keep dust down, and that’s important in enclosed spaces with limited airflow. It also lowers the need for constant watering.
• Outdoor Rings: When drainage is a problem, rubber can help. It lets water move through the surface faster, so the arena dries quicker after rain.
• Lunging Rings and Round Pens: These small spaces see a lot of repetitive action. Rubber footing holds up well, reduces compaction, and provides a stable surface that’s easier on your horse’s joints.
• Lesson Barns and High-Use Facilities: In barns with heavy daily traffic, footing needs to be both safe and durable. Rubber doesn’t wear easily, stays consistent, and requires less maintenance, making it perfect equestrian arena footing.

Get the Best Footing for Your Horse Arena

If you're dealing with dust, constant maintenance, or footing that doesn’t hold up, adding recycled rubber to your equestrian footing is a better long-term option. It’s safe for your horse, holds up to daily use, and takes less work to maintain.

Contact our team at Sparton Enterprises. We’re here to answer questions, walk you through options, and offer a quote that fits your space and budget.