How to Control Arena Dust So It Doesn't Cloud the Entertainment



Posted: Monday, August 10, 2009

by Mark Sierra

Lots of Americans would love to go watch a horse show. The significant drawback for those with breathing difficulties is arena dust. This dust is not only dangerous to the spectators and riders, but also the horses.

Arena dust occurs when the floor of an arena is not compatec properly or has become combined with the soil that is used. For an average arena, a normal year's wear and tear will only wear the surface down 1/8 of an inch. As the surface is more frequently used, the dirt is broken down more and more until the particles become small enough to be airborne.
 
New unwashed sand to cover the arena floor, but it does not produce dust because the particles are of sufficient size to not become airborne. Another quality of unwashed sand is that it has from 10 percent to 30 percent clay. Clay is a small particle that can become airborne easily, but it has other qualities that minimize the dust. One is that clay has the capacity to join with other particles in the sand. This helps to reduce the smaller particles that could become airborne that are in with the sand.

A liquid that is used to minimize arena dust is water. This is an effective method, but it is a temporary solution. To increase its efficiency, it must be done in significant quantities. In most cases, if water is soaked down two inches, this will be sufficient enough until the moisture evaporates. For most arenas to control dust, not only can they make use of water, but they could also use salt.
 
The most common salts are calcium or magnesium chloride. The physical properties of these salts are what make them compatible with water. This is their "hydroscopic properties" or ability to absorb moisture. Unfortunately, there is a danger that comes with calcium chloride and its caustic effect on the horses and a rider's skin. Magnesium chloride is the suggested salt. As an added precaution, it is recommended that the horse's lower legs and hooves be washed down after being in an arena treated with magnesium salts.

There are other dust suppressors for an arena, but magnesium chloride combined with water is the economical solution to combat arena dust.

Additional information can be found regarding how silt fencing can be used to control erosion from getting out of hand. Check out the Dust Stop Zone for more Free information.

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