Icon Sporthorses recently made a
significant capital investment in the health and care of its' horses: a
top-to-bottom renovation of the indoor, outdoor, and hot-walker riding
surfaces and base materials. Working with arena design/builder
Brian McNeil of
E=MC
Equestrian Arenas of Florida, Icon Sporthorses set forth an ambitious
set of goals: 1. Assessment of existing
conditions: arena-base integrity/stability, footing conditions and
appropriateness, dust control and moisture, maintenance practices and
procedures. E=MC was retained to perform a comprehensive on-site review
of conditions and prepared a detailed Scope of Work and Specifications,
which served as Icon's roadmap for prioritizing the improvements'
program. 2. After reviewing the report
submitted by E=MC and soliciting boarder/rider input, Icon went ahead
with arena renovations, using some of the most advanced, and proven,
materials and practices in the equestrian industry:
a. with the assistance of local contractor,
Chuck
Finger (Finger Construction) all existing footings were removed and
replaced with high-grade 99% pure silica sand, blended on-site with
Europe's most advanced strand-fiber footing amendment, Polywert's
GGT virgin strand-fiber. This material will be used at the Kentucky
Horse Park for the 2010 World Equestrian Games, and is considered by
professionals to be one of the industry's safest,
highest-performance footing. b.
while the indoor arena base was exposed, unstable base sections were
re-graded and then permanently stabilized using liquid polymers
manufactured by Dirt Glue Enterprises of Amesbury, Massachusetts.
Dirt Glue is renowned world-wide for developing soil stabilizers and
dust-control formulations. c. to
minimize arena watering demands, prevent dust, and keep the arenas
from freezing, Icon installed Arena Kleen liquid dust suppressant on
all areas including the hot-walker, both arenas and the isle ways of
the barn. By instituting a "no exceptions" manure-removal
requirement applying to all riders, Icon has dramatically improved
air quality while significantly reducing its daily reliance of
watering to control dust. Manufactured by Dirt Glue Enterprises,
"Arena Kleen" suppresses dust without altering the feel of
the arena footing, and does it without corrosive salts - it is a
completely safe, organic blend. d.
Icon's institutional maintenance practices and procedures
were revamped to ensure that all of the new arena surfaces were
maintained properly using the correct grooming tractors combined
with the Parma Arena Groomer. This unique grooming implement is
used by major show facilities throughout North America, ensuring a
uniform and consistent density and depth for all riders, all gaits,
all horses.
e. by educating all trainers, boarders, employees and guests about
the new maintenance guidelines, Icon has been able to get users
excited about participating in the care of the new arenas - always
emphasizing the overall commitment to horse-health.
3. Since the installation of this footing, our farrier is now able to
reset aluminum shoes....something we've never been able to do before. If
the shoes are no longer being pounded, ask yourself....how does this
translate to the horses feet, hocks, stifles, etc???
Here is a
small sample of the work done on the arena:
A total 750 tons of silica sand were delivered...
along with the GGT strand fibers from Germany (sorry, you'll have to get
ratio from Brian)
Then the mixing and blending begin.
The result is a well mixed blend of sand and fiber throughout the
footing.
While mixing is in progress, the bases of each arena are inspected and
repaired as needed
In our case, we had huge problems with 'critters' digging in the corners
of the indoor....
...and with a little work, and the application of DirtGlue.....our
corners and base are repaired.
Finally, it's time to lay the footing in the indoor. Each load is
carefully measured to ensure an even 3" depth...
...and even distribution of materials!!
After the footing is down, a coating of Arena Kleen is next.....goodbye
dust!!!
The next project is the Hot Walker footing....all the sand is removed
and the inside cleaned.
Next, a layer of rock is added......
...then a set of grids for stability.....
...and finally the footing....not an easy task!!
The result....great footing and happy horses!!!
And under dark clouds....the outdoor is completed!
At the end of the week the clients are happy......but
A picture is worth a thousand words!!!
Cheers to you, Brian & Chuck!!!! |
