Arena Footing FAQ's

Does Rubber Mulch contain steel?

No. Since smaller tire rubber chips are less likely to retain steel wire, Rubber Mulch chips are ½ an inch smaller than standard. In addition, all Rubber Mulch chips pass through four state-of-the art magnets, a process which completely removes any residual traces of steel. These extra precautions enable Rubber Mulch to be guaranteed 99.9% steel-free.

Will Rubber Mulch fall apart, disintegrate, or decay?

No. The vulcanizing process that all tires undergo renders them basically indestructible. Since Rubber Mulch is made of 100% tire rubber, it cannot decompose or crumble.

Does Rubber Mulch become slippery?

No. The Rubber Mulch/sand combination provides the best traction possible, making it your safest footing option. Excess moisture drains almost instantaneously from Rubber Mulch, and Rubber Mulch will never freeze.

Does Rubber Mulch get dusty?

Rubber Mulch is the product of choice to reduce dust; since rubber does not decompose, Rubber Mulch will never generate dust. The type of sand mixed with Rubber Mulch will have a large bearing on the amount of dust your arena will accumulate. The tiny fibers contained in Rubber Mulch retain a small amount of moisture when wet, thereby minimizing dust and the need for frequent watering.

What is the advantage of Rubber Mulch as compared to shredded sneakers and other forms of rubber?

"Rubber for footing applications is generally made from recycled tires. There are rubber footings available made from products such as sneakers, golf grips, conveyor belts, and lacrosse balls. However, compared to tire rubber they are lighter weight and tend to blow or wash away and will break down over time"
-Under Foot, 2000 edition

Do winds and rain blow or wash outdoor Rubber Mulch surfaces away?

No. Typical strong winds and rain cannot lift Rubber Mulch chips; they are too heavy to be significantly impacted by the weather.

Does Rubber Mulch only come in black?

No. Rubber Mulch is available in many vibrant colors. Match your corporate colors or stable to create a big visual impact.

How does the quality of colored Rubber Mulch compare to standard black?

Colored Rubber Mulch is equally durable and resilient to the black variety. Rubber Mulch is colored with a specially developed, non-toxic, highly-durable paint for rubber that retains its rich color for as long as high quality house paint, and probably even much longer than that.

Is Rubber Mulch poisonous?

No. Rubber Mulch is non-toxic, and colored chips are manufactured using only non-toxic paints. Although Rubber Mulch is unlikely to be swallowed, should it be accidentally ingested, studies have shown that the chips pass straight through the digestive systems of humans and animals. (Maryland Environmental Services, 1994)

Does Rubber Mulch generate an odor?

No. Any odor detected at the time of installation will shortly disappear, much the way odor attached to a new shower curtain would.

Does Rubber Mulch blacken the area where it is installed?

No. Unlike wood chips or mulch which can cause staining when exposed to moisture, Rubber Mulch will not stain in any type of weather.

What happens when leaves or pieces of hay are blown onto Rubber Mulch surfaces?

Most can be removed with a minimum of light raking. The rest will fall to the bottom and eventually decompose undetected.

Can we use Rubber Mulch for our horse stalls?

Yes; however, we don't recommend using Rubber Mulch for horse stalls, since a significant amount may end up being removed as a result of routine mucking.

What is the Rubber Mulch installation process?

Our experts recommend preparing the base of the arena with 4-6 inches of crushed stone, compacted to the hardness of asphalt. Truckloads of Rubber Mulch are then deposited at the arena's entrance. Although it is possible to use Rubber Mulch exclusively, we recommend blending 1" of Rubber Mulch with 1.5"-2" of ASTM standard C-33 sand. At this depth, one ton of Rubber Mulch will generally cover 860 square feet. For breeding sheds, we suggest a 4-12 inch depth of Rubber Mulch, in the color most suited to your farm's esthetics.

How is Rubber Mulch maintained on the arena?

All that is necessary is the occasional watering and dragging typical to all arena footings. Since Rubber Mulch does not compact or generate dust, you will be required to water and drag less often than with other footings.

Does the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) approve of Rubber Mulch?

Absolutely! DEP policy "strongly promotes the use of recycled products, since it is essential to the long-term success of local and national recycling programs." The DEP expressed great enthusiasm after touring the Rubber Mulch manufacturing plant in Lakewood, NJ. DEP officials were particularly impressed by Rubber Mulch's ability to productively recycle non-biodegradable products that would otherwise end up in landfills. Rubber Mulch is not subject to DEP regulations, and has no special requirements upon removal.

Who determines safety surfacing shock absorption, and how?

Many state and federal agencies including the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the U.S. Testing Company, and the State of Illinois, as well as independent laboratories and accredited testing firms, have conducted a variety of studies measuring the shock-absorption of numerous surfaces in relation to falling objects. Consistently, tire rubber chips have proven to be the most shock-absorbent standard safety surface, ranking above sand, bluestone, shavings and mulch. Considering the fact that the continual impact of hard surfaces can lead to arthritis and a reduced performance life, you can't afford to settle for anything less than the ultimate in safety: Rubber Mulch.

How does the cost of Rubber Mulch compare to other surfacing options?

In the long run, Rubber Mulch will save you money. After an initial investment that may be slightly more costly than some other surfaces, Rubber Mulch does not need to be replaced annually.