Arena footing significantly affects the joint health and welfare of horses used for riding and competition. Understanding optimal footing properties helps owners and facility managers protect horses from injury.
Arena footing is a welfare issue that is often framed purely as a performance issue. But the tendon tears, suspensory injuries, and joint degeneration that poor footing contributes to cause significant and often career-ending pain for affected horses. Good footing is welfare provision: it protects the structures that allow horses to move without pain. Investment in appropriate footing materials, regular maintenance, and objective assessment of footing quality is an investment in the long-term welfare of every horse that works in that arena. Facilities that take footing seriously take equine welfare seriously.