--- title: Extend the Life of Arena Footing with an Arena Groomer description: Today’s riders and trainers are more aware of the importance of high-quality arena footing for the safety of horses’ joints, legs and feet. image: https://www.eastwest-construction.com/hs-fs/hub/310088/file-1086245687.jpg --- [![East-West Arena Construction](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/hs-fs/hub/310088/file-480211715.png?width=225&height=139&name=file-480211715.png "East-West Arena Construction")](https://www.eastwest-construction.com) # East-West Arena Construction Blog ## [Extend the Life of Arena Footing with an Arena Groomer](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/extend-the-life-of-arena-footing-with-an-arena-groomer) Posted by [East-West Arena Construction](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/author/east-west-arena-construction) Jun 24, 2014 12:02:19 PM [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Today’s riders and trainers are more aware of the importance of high-quality arena footing for the safety of horses’ joints, legs and feet. Horse owners, universities and equestrian event facilities install premium footing in their indoor and outdoor show arenas and warm-up rings for maximizing performance and safety. Although premium footings, such as GTX blends are long lasting, maintaining the footing with an [arena groomer ](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/)can extend arena life even further. **Why Use an Arena Groomer** Even premium equestrian event facilities hear complaints from riders during competitions with comments about the arena footing being too deep, too hard, too slippery or having uneven ground. Show management and facility owners take these complaints seriously because dressage performances and the health of horses and riders are at stake. ![Arena_Groomer](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/hs-fs/hub/310088/file-1086245687.jpg) ***Caption: Arena groomers prepare the footing by adjusting the depth for effective cushioning and applying enough water to prevent dust and packing.***   In fact, horse show organizations now follow the example of the racing industry in striving for optimum arena surfaces for performance horses. In fact, footing is such a debated topic that the American Horse Show Association held a *Special Summit on Footing *to discuss how to improve arena footing for exhibitors and shows. **Grooming the Arena Footing** Show management is very conscientious about arena footing and ensures that the surface is harrowed and leveled before allowing horses in the ring. [Arena groomers](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/) prepare the footing by adjusting the depth for effective cushioning and applying enough water to prevent dust and packing. Some arena drag equipment can actually move the footing material and apply the water at the same time when needed. A spray boom is convenient for water control when intense arena lighting dries the surface. Dragging the [footing](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/ggt-footing) with an arena groomer prevents ruts along the arena wall and from surface compacting in corners. The amount of time spent dragging the arena depends on the amount of horse traffic in the arena. Grooming the footing helps it keep its bounce and spring for confident horse performance. Premium footing is an investment for all equestrian facilities and regular arena grooming lengthens the life of both the arena footing and the base. [Contact us](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/contact-us) at East-West Arena Construction for a [consultation](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/free-consultation) on the best premium arena footing for your equestrian facility. Topics: [Maintenance](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/maintenance) [![GGT Stall-EZ](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/hs-fs/hub/310088/file-2010909782-png/GGT_STALL_EZ_CTA.png?width=1024&name=GGT_STALL_EZ_CTA.png "GGT Stall-EZ")](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/ggt-stall-ez) ## [![Prevent Drainage Problems eBook](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/hs-fs/hub/310088/file-1740721836.jpg?width=533&name=file-1740721836.jpg "Prevent Drainage Problems eBook")](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/preventing-drainage-problems) ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Footing (34)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/footing) - [Arena Construction (29)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/arena-construction) - [GGT Footing (20)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/ggt-footing) - [College Equestrian (13)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/college-equestrian) - [Dressage (12)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/dressage) - [jumpers (6)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/jumpers) - [Lameness (5)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/lameness) - [Reducing Dust (5)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/reducing-dust) - [Drainage (4)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/drainage) - [GGT Stall-EZ (4)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/ggt-stall-ez) - [Health (4)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/health) - [Arena Lighting (3)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/arena-lighting) - [Horse Stalls (3)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/horse-stalls) - [Safety (3)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/safety) - [Travel (3)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/travel) - [indoor Riding Arena (3)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/indoor-riding-arena) - [Blanketing (2)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/blanketing) - [Budget (2)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/budget) - [Dragging (2)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/dragging) - [Fieldstone Show Park (2)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/fieldstone-show-park) - [Horses (2)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/horses) - [Hydration (2)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/hydration) - [Maintenance (2)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/maintenance) - [Nutrition (2)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/nutrition) - [Sand Selection (2)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/sand-selection) - [Arena Design (1)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/arena-design) - [Hunt Seat (1)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/hunt-seat) - [Prep Schools (1)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/prep-schools) - [Round-Pen Arena (1)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/round-pen-arena) - [Rubber Pavers (1)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/rubber-pavers) - [Technology (1)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/technology) - [hygiene (1)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/hygiene) - [laser grading (1)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/laser-grading) - [saddle (1)](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/topic/saddle) [see all](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog/extend-the-life-of-arena-footing-with-an-arena-groomer#) ## About [Our Story](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/about-us) [FAQs](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/frequently-asked-questions) [Our Work](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/our-work) ## Free Resources [East-West Blog](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/blog) [eBook: Intro to Arena Footing](https://www.eastwest-construction.com/arena-footing) eBook: Buyer's Guide to Arena Footing (new!) 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