How Does TruTex Footing Hold-Up in a Wet Climate?

How TruTex Footing Fares in Wet Conditions

As a product designed to be kept moist, TruTex footing thrives in wet conditions. It is incredibly durable since there are no organic materials that could mold or rot. That said, your base plays a crucial role in the lifespan of your arena in wetter climates.

If your arena resembles a muddy swimming pool after a heavy downpour, you likely need more than just footing improvements.

Close up of TruTex Oasis and TruTex Element Materials
Close up of TruTex Oasis and TruTex Element Materials.

Arena Base Construction

Your base should be engineered to shed or drain water appropriately, especially in wetter climates. Assuming your base is in good shape, adding fibers increases the saturation point of your footing versus sand alone. This enables higher water absorption, which delays saturation that causes your surface to get too loose and slippery.

A traditional compacted base will be either crowned or sloped in order to shed water across its surface, whereas a free draining base is designed for the water to drain down through the base and can be carried away via drainage pipes below the surface. There are pros and cons to both designs, which we will dive into in another post.  

A footing improvement alone will not solve the water issues in this arena. The base and drainage should be addressed first.
A footing improvement alone will not solve the water issues in this arena. The base and drainage should be addressed first.

The Ultimate All-Weather Base

If you need all-weather riding conditions, the Equibase OT40 mat is the best option. With the ability to absorb more than 40% of the force applied to the surface, the mats offer unrivaled health and performance benefits to the horse versus a traditional base. Their highly efficient drainage features combine with moisture retention for easier arena maintenance and more consistent footing regardless of weather.

Illustration of waterflow through OT40 Equibase Mats as a riding arena base
Equibase OT40 Mats provide the ideal separation laver between the sub-base materials and the footing layer and enable optimal drainage.

For outdoor arenas, the Equibase mat is equipped with alternating drainage vents and water reservoirs for more consistent moisture throughout your footing. The drainage holes allow excess water to pass through the footing, out through the mat, and out of your base while retaining up to one gallon of water per mat. Indoor arenas see additional benefits in that each mat holds two gallons of water, which is wicked up into the surface as needed. If you’re unsure about how many mats will fit your arena space, our easy-to-use mat calculator can help.

Outdoor design of OT40 Equibase Mat with drainage holes and water retention cups.
Indoor design of Equibase OT40 Mat. Able to store 2 gallons of water per mat to wick back into the footing.

Boots on the ground Equestrian Knowledge

TruTex is owned and operated by equestrians who, like you, used to struggle to find the best footing additives for their arenas. That’s why they sourced the best ingredients and formed TruTex!

Now the team is excited to bring these premium products to you and your arena. Contact us at 812-558-2669 or through our online form if you’re still unsure about what product is perfect for you. You can also request a free personalized quote. We look forward to helping you and your equine business prosper.

The TruTex Team are all equestrians themselves and consists of riders, trainers and engineers who understand the science behind arena footing and equine biomechanics. They continually strive to expand their knowledge in all things footing and equine in order to produce the best products and service.
The TruTex Team are all equestrians themselves and consists of riders, trainers and engineers who understand the science behind arena footing and equine biomechanics. They continually strive to expand their knowledge in all things footing and equine in order to produce the best products and service.
TruTex Equestrian

TruTex Equestrian

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