Fiore Farms, LLC / Summerfield, NC
Fiore Farms has great success with ArenaKleen for arena dust control - The footing of the arena (250x150 ft) is 6" of compacted sand rocks, slightly graded, (~ 2degrees from the crown). Screening on top of approximately 5-6" thickness. We resolved our dust problem. After a painful three months of diligent homework and in strict contact with the NC Dept. of Agriculture and NCSU for the evaluation on safety & environmental impact, we applied 2000 gallons of Arenakleen, (from Dirtglue Enterprise) to arena and covered round pen (the product is non toxic and environmentally friendly). Riding areas are all with lights. A sitting deck and a judge stand are overlooking the arena. We are very pleased with the results and have had a virtually dust free arena since the application this spring. This hot dry summer has been an acid test for the system and it has held beautifully. We and our horses can finally breath clean air when we ride and when we are observing from the arena sitting deck. All the riders and the equestrian director say also that they like the consistency of the footing. We have a high level dressage rider here, who also likes the footing material and its effective dust control.
By the way, Summerfield, NC received a 10 inch rainfall one day in mid September and all of Fiore Farms arena footing material washed out of the arena. Once everything dried up they were able to "rescue" their treated footing by using a Bobcat to go around and scoop up the runaway material and transport it back into thir riding arena. Flore White reported that once put back inot the riding arena and leveled and groomed the ArenaKleen dust control continued to work well.www.fiorefarms.com .
Flor White, manager
Fiore Farms LLC
www.fiorefarms.com
Summerfield, NC
Icon SportHorses, LLC / Friendsville, TN
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 DirtGlue Enterprises of Amesbury, Massachusetts. DirtGlue 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 DirtGlue Enterprises, "ArenaKleen" 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???
Ian Millar / Millar Brooke Farm
"This stuff is amazing! When I was at the Royal I was watching some of the horses work out and I could see the dirt kick up from their hooves, but it instantly fell back to the ground! It didn't float around at all. Watching this I knew I had to have it at Millar Brooke, and within days of having ArenaKleen applied to my arena I could feel the difference as well as see it. Take-offs and landings not only felt more consistent, but the footing seemed to stay in place even with aggressive riding. There was much less material turned up against the boards in the turns and the material in the landing didn't get thrown around. In all I'd have to say that even months later I am very pleased with the results of having ArenaKleen at Millar Brooke Farms."
Dr. Kim Brennan / Formello Farm Equestrian Center
Hi Chris,
I absolutely love your product.
I was hesitant to spend the money, but it is wonderful!!
My students, horses and myself can see, breathe and ride.
Thanks,
Kim
Formello Farm Equestrian Center
Grinnell, IA 50112