Under Foot Dedicated to education, the recognition of achievement, and the promotion of the sport of dressage. The USDF Guide to Dressage Arena Construction, Maintenance and Repair Introduction Footing is important. Your horse's health and performance ability depend on quality footing.
Footing is to the horse as the shoe is to the athlete.
Without the proper footing to give the necessary traction and cushion, your horse's health and performance ability will deteriorate. Though written for dressage arena construction, the principles here can be applied in general to other equestrian sports, from jumping to reining to barrel racing. The main difference is the depth and ratio of ingredients found in the top layer. Some sports need more cushion from their footing. Some need more traction.