As the weather turns, drainage problems in arenas are often put down to the rain itself. Puddles by the gate or a deep patch on the track are seen as an unavoidable part of winter riding. In most cases, however, the rain is only revealing issues that have been developing within the surface for months.
Through spring and summer, regular use gradually packs the footing down, fine particles settle into the gaps between sand grains, and material is pushed out towards the edges of the arena. On a dry surface, these changes can go largely unnoticed. Once rainfall increases, they reduce the surface's ability to let water drain through, and water begins to collect on top instead.
This matters because drainage has a direct effect on how an arena rides. Research into equestrian surfaces has identified moisture content as one of the most important influences on surface consistency, alongside the arena base, the drainage system and the way the surface is maintained (Hobbs et al., 2014).
For arena owners, early autumn is therefore the ideal time to address drainage, while the surface is still dry enough to work effectively. The following steps outline how to identify where problems are developing and put them right before winter sets in.
Why drainage matters
In sand-based arenas, a certain amount of moisture is beneficial. Damp sand holds together and gives the hoof grip, and sand generally holds together best between 8% and 17% of water. Once the surface becomes saturated, however, it loses that stability and becomes loose again (Hobbs et al., 2014).
This has implications for horse welfare as well as riding quality. A UK study of British Dressage members found that arenas which became deeper in wet conditions were associated with lameness (Murray et al., 2010a). Variations in depth across an arena are also thought to affect a horse's balance and lead to earlier fatigue (Hobbs et al., 2014).
With Met Office projections indicating that wet winters are likely to become wetter (Met Office, 2018), the ability of an arena to drain well is likely to become more important, not less.
Step 1: Walk the arena after rain
The first step is to establish where problems are occurring. The day after a good rainfall, walk the whole arena and note where water is sitting and where the surface feels soft underfoot. A simple sketch or a few photos on a phone is sufficient.
If there has been no recent rain, a bucket of water poured onto a few test areas, for example on the track, in the centre and near the gate, will give a useful indication. On a healthy surface, the water should soak in fairly quickly. If it pools, the surface beneath is likely to be compacted.
The location of standing water is also informative. Water on the track and in the corners usually points to compaction from heavy use, while water along one side is more likely to be caused by the fall of the arena, a build-up of material at the edge or a blocked drain. Even minor differences are worth addressing, as research has shown that an arena with a wet end and a dry end can affect how a horse moves as it passes between the two (Hobbs et al., 2014).
Step 2: Loosen compacted areas
When horses work repeatedly on the same lines, the sand is pressed tightly together. This compaction closes the small gaps that allow water to drain through, so the surface drains more slowly (Hobbs et al., 2014).
Over time, a dense layer known as a "hard pan" can form within the surface. Water cannot pass through it and instead sits on top, which is why puddles often return to the same place. A hard pan can also prevent underground watering systems from working properly (Hobbs et al., 2014).
Working the surface with tines is the most effective way to relieve compaction. The tines should be set deep enough to break through the compacted layer while remaining above the membrane. Where the surface depth is uncertain, it is worth digging a few small test holes and measuring before starting. ArenaMate® Type 3 levellers use curved spring steel tines with adjustable depth, allowing the working depth to be set accurately for each surface.
On a heavily compacted arena, two or three passes a few days apart will generally be more effective than a single aggressive pass.
Step 3: Bring material back in from the edges
With regular use, surface material is gradually pushed outwards and builds up against the kickboards. On outdoor arenas, this ridge can hold water on the track. At the same time, the surface further in becomes thinner, so horses are working closer to the base.
Returning this material towards the centre of the arena addresses both issues. Every ArenaMate® leveller is fitted with an adjustable side blade for this purpose, allowing edges to be brought in as part of routine levelling rather than by hand.
Step 4: Keep the surface clean
Organic material has a greater effect on drainage than is often recognised. Leaves, droppings and mud carried in on boots and hooves break down over time into fine particles that clog the surface. The removal of droppings and debris is recognised as a standard part of arena maintenance (Hobbs et al., 2014).
In practice, this means removing droppings after every session rather than once a day, and clearing leaves at least weekly where the arena is surrounded by trees. Keeping the gateway firm and clean also reduces the amount of mud brought onto the surface.
Step 5: Check the drainage system
Many arenas are built with perforated pipes beneath the surface, covered by a membrane or porous tarmac, to carry water away while keeping the base stable (Hobbs et al., 2014).
Drain outlets should be checked during or shortly after rainfall to confirm that water is flowing out freely. An outlet that remains dry while the arena is wet is a clear sign of a blockage. Nearby ditches and soakaways should also be cleared, and it is worth checking whether water is running onto the arena from higher ground, as this additional run-off can overwhelm even a well-designed system.
Where damage to the pipes or base is suspected, a specialist contractor should be consulted rather than disturbing the surface.
Step 6: Level and top up the surface
Once the surface has been loosened and the edges brought in, a full levelling pass will remove low spots, which hold water, and high spots, which dry out and ride differently.
Research into dressage arenas has found regular maintenance to be essential, particularly where an arena is used by many horses each day (Murray et al., 2010b). Where the surface has worn thin, top-up material is best ordered in early autumn, while ground conditions still allow deliveries onto the yard.
Step 7: Establish a winter maintenance routine
The frequency of levelling should reflect how heavily the arena is used. A private arena ridden a few times a week may need levelling once or twice a week, while a livery or competition yard is likely to need it daily.
When the surface is wet, the tines should be raised. Working a saturated surface too deeply can bring fine particles to the top and reduce drainage further. Varying the direction and pattern of levelling each time also helps to prevent material gradually drifting to one side.
When choosing a leveller, the ArenaMate® Type 3 SSR is designed for private arenas with lighter use, while the heavier-duty Type 3 RFB is built for professional and high-use arenas. Both are suitable for sand, fibre, synthetic and waxed surfaces.
Conclusion
Most winter drainage problems begin long before the wet weather arrives. Compaction, fine particles within the surface, material building up at the edges and blocked outlets all develop gradually, and heavy rainfall simply brings them to light.
The key point is timing. The work outlined in this guide is far easier in early autumn, when the surface is dry enough to work, and deliveries can still reach the yard. Once the ground is saturated, the options for improvement become much more limited until spring.
Preventing drainage problems does not need to be complicated. Walking the arena after rain will usually show where attention is needed, and regular levelling at the correct depth does much of the work of keeping water moving through the surface rather than sitting on top of it. This matters for more than appearance, as arenas that become deep in wet conditions have been associated with lameness (Murray et al., 2010a).
For advice on leveller settings, maintenance frequency or choosing the right ArenaMate® leveller for your surface, contact the ArenaMate® team.
References
Hobbs, S.J., Northrop, A.J., Mahaffey, C., Martin, J.H., Clayton, H.M., Murray, R., Roepstorff, L. and Peterson, M. (2014) Equine surfaces white paper. Lausanne: Fédération Equestre Internationale. Available at: https://knowledge.lancashire.ac.uk/id/eprint/11343/ (Accessed: 24 September 2026).
Met Office (2018) UKCP18 national climate projections. Exeter: Met Office. Available at: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/approach/collaboration/ukcp (Accessed: 24 September 2026).
Murray, R.C., Walters, J.M., Snart, H., Dyson, S.J. and Parkin, T.D.H. (2010a) 'Identification of risk factors for lameness in dressage horses', The Veterinary Journal, 184(1), pp. 27–36. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.03.020.
Murray, R.C., Walters, J., Snart, H., Dyson, S. and Parkin, T. (2010b) 'How do features of dressage arenas influence training surface properties which are potentially associated with lameness?', The Veterinary Journal, 186(2), pp. 172–179. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.04.026.