Arena footing for equestrian competitions is important to help prevent injuries to horse. But how?

Choosing the best arena footing for various disciplines takes time, effort, and experimentation, but without proper planning, installation, and maintenance, injuries in horses still occur. When horses get injured, it can also involve rider injury. Elin Hernlund, DVM, PhD, associate senior lecturer at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, in Uppsala, described how footing affects the way a horse travels at the 2025 IGNITE Sports Science for the Olympic Disciplines Seminar, held Jan. 12-13 in Ocala, Florida.

The Mechanics of Arena Footing

The waste industry can become a source for arena footing, said Hernlund. The available waste depends on location. For example, wood by-products in Sweden become footing, and carpet pieces in the United Kingdom can be incorporated into arena footing.

“Mechanical properties of the surface need to be studied in relation to injury,” Hernlund said. The surfaces themselves are strain dependent, responding differently depending on how the horse or human impacts them. These mechanical properties include:

1. Impact firmness involves the top layer and the vertical collision between the hoof and the ground and how the hoof stops.
2. Cushioning is important at peak impact when the horse’s limb hits the ground. Cushion allows the horse’s hooves to press deeply into the ground, compressing the surface.
3. Responsiveness of the footing considers how the hoof bounces off the surface. The horse won’t lose as much energy with a responsive surface. Footing acts a bit like a trampoline, and it gives some energy back to the horse.
4. Grip refers to how much traction the horse has over the surface. While the horse shouldn’t slip, is grip always good? “High-traction surfaces can lead to injuries of ankles and knees,” said Hernlund. “The composition (fiber density, type of infill) of artificial surfaces can lead to changes in loading at the knee and ankle joint.” Too much or too little grip can potentially become an injury risk.
5. Uniformity simply refers to the footing, including the factors listed above, being the same all over the arena.

It’s Not Just About the Arena Footing

While a consistent, quality arena footing helps prevent equine injuries, proper training is just as important. Hernlund recommends riders create their own strategies for varying daily training.

She cited a study of 263 elite show jumpers in Sweden where days lost to training was the measure of injury. The researchers showed variation in training had a protective effect on the horses’ body—the more differences in training, the healthier the horse. These changes included hacking out as well as alternating intensities and volumes of work. Too much rest was a risk factor for injury.

Take-Home Message

High-quality, well-maintained footing in arenas, whether it be for competition or training, is important to ensure the health and safety of horses and their riders. It’s not only the surface but also factors including horse fitness and variety in training that will have an overall impact on the horse’s long-term soundness.