Synergy and MAG Chloride for Horse Arena Dust Control

Synergy vs. MAG Flakes

Compare two of our popular arena dust control solutions, and decide which one fits your arena best. If you’re still not sure, schedule a complimentary consultation for expert guidance.

Water Free Horse Arena Dust Control

Have you ever dreamed of a dust-free riding arena that never needs to be watered? How about an indoor arena footing that maintains its freshly watered feeling but never freezes? If you’re anything like us, watering an arena is one of those necessary evils where you love the feeling of your footing afterwards, but the actual process is one of your least favorite barn chores. TRUTEX is proud to offer two types of arena dust control treatments, including our own exclusive Synergy solution, that provides consistent horse arena dust control and hydration both indoors AND outdoors!

How Do Synergy and MAG Flakes for Arena Dust Control Compare?

Capabilities	MAG	Synergy
Indoor Use
Outdoor Use
Humid Climates
Dry Climates
Freezing Climates		Does not freeze but will not prevent excess water from freezing on an outdoor arena
Non-Toxic
Ecologically Friendly
Water-Proof
Sand Footing
Organic Footing (Dirt, Wood Chips, Sawdust, etc.)
Average Period of Effectiveness	6 Months (Depending on Traffic)	18-24 Months (Depending on Traffic)

While both MAG Flakes and Synergy provide excellent arena dust control, MAG is best-suited for indoor arenas in more humid climates. Whereas Synergy works consistently regardless of the humidity level, making it the ideal choice for drier climates as well as outdoor arenas.

Calculate how much MAG Flake you need for your arena or contact us for a custom quote.

Different sand depths, footing materials and climates can affect how much MAG or Synergy you need to apply. Contact us for a custom quote or to verify the correct amount for your arena.

How Do MAG and Synergy Work to Provide Complete Dust Control for Horse Arenas?

MAG - Magnesium Chloride Flakes

Dead Sea MAG flakes or pellets are a form of magnesium chloride that is harvested from the Dead Sea—in other words, a type of salt.

MAG flakes are a proven hygroscopic agent that draws in moisture from the air naturally. In fact, one pound of MAG can hold up to four times its weight in water in ideal conditions.

MAG is less expensive to buy than Synergy, and is therefore a good cost-effective solution for many indoor arenas. However, since it relies on higher humidity levels to draw moisture into the arena footing, it is not as effective in dry climates. It also cannot be used in uncovered arenas due to its sensitivity to rain. In fact, you cannot supplement MAG with water at all because it will wash the magnesium chloride away.

That means it is critical to apply enough MAG to your arena from the beginning. We recommend one bag for every 120 sq. ft. of arena if you have around 3 inches of footing depth. For example, a 70 ft. by 140 ft. arena would require 82 bags. And while MAG flakes are completely non-toxic, as a salt, they can still be mildly corrosive. As such, we recommend you rinse your drag with water about once a week. Some clients also like to rinse their horses’ hooves after riding.

For cold climates, MAG flakes are often an ideal solution for keeping an indoor arena hydrated without freezing. Much like salt on the road, magnesium chloride flakes lower the freezing point of the water and make it more difficult for it to freeze. However, since MAG flakes can only be used indoors, they are not a comprehensive anti-freeze solution for all arena types. Its saline properties also make it unable to couple with organic footing materials (dirt, wood chips, sawdust, etc.). It must be applied only to purely sand or synthetic arena footings.

TRUTEX Synergy - All-Natural
Liquid Treatment

Synergy is an all-natural, odorless, and non-corrosive solution that uses alkanes made from natural gas. It is applied by first spraying it across the arena’s surface and then mixing it in to create a freshly watered feel for up to 18 months or more, depending on traffic and arena conditions.

Synergy coats and agglomerates the sand particles (and any other footing materials) in your arena and weighs them down without evaporating or freezing. While MAG relies on the ability to draw moisture into the footing from the air, Synergy provides its own moisture. That is why Synergy is a better solution for dry or desert climates as well as outdoor arenas. Synergy is compatible with all kinds of arena footing materials and is completely non-toxic and ecologically friendly.

Compared to chlorides like MAG, Synergy offers more consistent moisture throughout the riding surface, that doesn’t fluctuate based on the weather. It does not wash away with rain – and thus can be used indoors and out. If you have a tool capable of spraying water, then you have the ability to apply Synergy to your arena footing. For a footing depth of about 3 inches, we recommend applying 1 gallon for every 20 sq. ft. of arena space. For example, a 70 ft. x 140 ft. arena would need 490 gallons of Synergy for complete coverage.

TruTex Synergy gives you the freedom to work with your existing footing or other local materials, so there’s no need to replace your footing just to make the switch to waterless.

Dustless Riding Arena Footing Is More Achievable Than You Think!

If you’re not sure which option would work best for you, schedule a free consultation below to discuss your arena and objectives with a TruTex footing specialist.

How To Install Your Dust Free Arena Footing Product

How to Install MAG Flakes

When applying MAG flakes (or pellets) to your arena, you want to ensure you achieve even, thorough coverage across the entire riding surface. Thus, the first step is actually to drag your arena and make sure it is smooth and level.

Next, while it is possible to spread MAG by hand, the easiest way is to use a broadcast seed or rotary spreader. Make a checkerboard pattern going first north and south in your arena and then east and west over the same area. When MAG is properly applied, it will look like it just lightly snowed. You will immediately see MAG start to pull in moisture and dissolve into the footing. In most cases, it takes less than 24 hours to completely dissolve into the footing. However, it is important to understand that this can vary depending on humidity levels.

As you get accustomed to your new footing over the next week or two, pay attention to any dry spots where MAG may need to be supplemented, especially around doorways and entries. Finally, it is a good idea to rinse any equipment that was used for spreading.

After the initial loading dose, most arenas will require a partial supplementary treatment in 6 months and then approximately every 12 months after that. The conditions, traffic level, and climate are all factors in the long-term efficacy of the product, and this information is intended only as a general guide and not a guarantee of how long MAG will last in your arena.

How to Apply Synergy

Like MAG, it is imperative to achieve even, thorough coverage of Synergy across your entire arena. So get out your arena groomer and make sure your arena is well-dragged and completely level before beginning the application.

Depending on how much you order, Synergy can come in large totes or barrels (or both). Either way, you will need a tool capable of spraying water to apply it to your arena. This means it must be able to both apply the solution in an even coat as well as produce the pressure needed to draw the liquid out from its container. Most clients transfer the liquid to an arena watering or chemical spraying tank to apply Synergy. However, it is also possible to combine a large hose and pump to get the job done.

As for the actual application, it is helpful to divide your arena into sections to calculate even distribution of the product across the entire arena. Apply the product evenly. Next, use your arena groomer to mix the Synergy down into the arena footing. Because Synergy is completely non-toxic and non-corrosive, you do not need to rinse your equipment after use other than for normal cleaning if desired.

After the initial application, most arenas will require a smaller supplementary treatment every 18-24 months. As the Synergy applications build up, less and less will be required to maintain the same dust-free conditions. Contact a TruTex representative for more specific reapplication requirements for your particular arena.

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