Maintenance Is Key: A Horseman’s Guide to Maintaining Arena Footing
- Dan Henry
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of arenas; brand-new ones, worn-out ones, and everything in between. And if there’s one thing that makes the biggest difference in how your footing rides day after day, it’s maintenance. You can have a beautifully built arena with the right base and the right footing, but without proper care, it simply won’t feel the way you want it to.
Footing is a living surface. It changes with the weather, the seasons, and how often it’s used. Moisture levels shift, dust shows up out of nowhere, and before long the arena can feel completely different than it did just a few weeks ago. That’s why I always encourage people to think about maintenance as part of their investment, it protects your footing, your horses, and the time and effort you’ve put into creating a space that rides well.
Let me walk you through the most common maintenance options I see, and what I’ve learned from working with them over the years.
Watering: The Tried-and-True Method (But a Lot of Work)
Watering is the most traditional way to care for footing, and when it’s done well, it works. Whether you’re using a hose, sprinklers, or a water truck, adding moisture helps the footing bind together, keeps the dust down, and gives the arena some life.
The tricky part is consistency. Some days the footing needs more, some days less, and it’s easy to overwater one end and underwater the other. A complete overhead watering system can help, but it’s still a decent amount of upkeep, and not every barn wants to spend the time or money to run one.
Watering will always be a reliable option, it just requires attention and effort to get it right.
Mag Flakes: Helpful, but Not the Whole Solution
Magnesium flakes are another tool people use, mostly because they do a good job reducing dust. They’re hygroscopic, which means they pull moisture from the air and help suppress dust without daily watering.
But here’s what they don’t do:They don’t actually moisten the footing or help it bind.
So while you may see less dust, the footing itself doesn’t hold together the same way it does with true moisture. For arenas with light use or in certain climates, mag flakes can be a good option. But if you’re riding hard, training multiple horses, or want that high-performance feel, they typically won’t give you what you’re looking for.
Evermoist EQ: Dust Control + Footing Structure
This is the reason I created Evermoist EQ.
I wanted something that would help with dust and help the footing hold moisture longer, without constant watering. Evermoist EQ reduces how quickly water evaporates and helps the sand stay cohesive, which means your footing stays consistent for much longer between Evermoist EQ treatments.
The result is footing that holds together better, stays predictable, and feels more alive under your horse. It’s especially helpful in dry climates or in barns where watering every day just isn’t realistic.
For a lot of clients, Evermoist EQ is the “happy medium”, less dust, less work, and a surface that stays in the sweet spot longer.
Moisture: The Heart of Good Footing
No matter which option you choose, moisture is what makes footing ride the way it’s supposed to. It’s what gives your arena depth, cushion, and consistency. Most arenas don’t need anything fancy. They just need a plan.
When you understand how your footing behaves, what your climate demands, and how often you use the arena, you can find a maintenance routine that keeps everything riding well without becoming a full-time job.
And if you ever need help figuring out what your arena needs, or what it doesn’t, I’m always happy to talk it through with you. After all, good footing isn’t just about installation. It’s about helping it stay good for years to come.
Contact Arena Works
717-629-0576
About Arena Works
Arena Works, Inc. is a family-run equestrian footing company with more than 30 years of hands-on experience building, grading, and maintaining arenas throughout the United States. Our footing blends are engineered with a horseman’s understanding of movement, balance, and soundness, because great footing isn’t just about materials, it’s about how a horse feels when it moves across the surface.
From backyard arenas to high-performance training facilities, we take pride in building riding environments that are safe, consistent, long-lasting, and tailored to each client’s goals. Our work has been built on integrity, craftsmanship, and word-of-mouth referrals from riders who trust the difference Arena Works footing makes.
Whether you need grading, full arena construction, footing installation, laser precision work, or moisture-management solutions like Evermoist EQ, we’re here to help you build a surface that performs beautifully for years to come.