Help with maintaining an arena for my daughters horse barrell racing

[RKTractorFan]

I think that sounds like a good plan. You’ll want to work the footing anyhow to make it more appropriate for riding.

I don’t have issues with grass growing in my arena in the area that gets dragged. The grass grows around the edges and in the corners, where it doesn’t get dragged.

What kind of drag do you use?

THis is what I use, and it works ok. I wish I could afford one of the nice arena drags


Titan 4.5' x 5' Heavy Duty Drag Harrow Leveling Grading Steel Mesh 4965 | eBay

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

RK,

Is this a dirt arena?

 

[RKTractorFan]

Yeah, no special dirt or anything just an area I disc'd up.

 

[drssg]

What kind of drag do you use?

THis is what I use, and it works ok. I wish I could afford one of the nice arena drags


Titan 4.5' x 5' Heavy Duty Drag Harrow Leveling Grading Steel Mesh 49826265 | eBay

I have one like that, and I’ve used it quite a bit. I find that if the surface is fairly loose, it works pretty well. If the surface gets harder, it isn’t aggressive enough. I laid a few fence posts across it to provide more weight, but I was still having problems.

Then I sprung for a more expensive one.
TR3 ESeries Arena Drag - Best Selling Arena Equipment by ABI Equine//ABI Attachments

This one is more complicated to get setup and adjusted correctly, but it will dig into a hard surface well.

So I think it depends on your individual needs.

 

[RKTractorFan]

I have one like that, and I’ve used it quite a bit. I find that if the surface is fairly loose, it works pretty well. If the surface gets harder, it isn’t aggressive enough. I laid a few fence posts across it to provide more weight, but I was still having problems.

Then I sprung for a more expensive one.
TR3 ESeries Arena Drag - Best Selling Arena Equipment by ABI Equine//ABI Attachments

This one is more complicated to get setup and adjusted correctly, but it will dig into a hard surface well.

So I think it depends on your individual needs.

That looks like a nice drag! What did it set ya back?

 

[Redlands Okie]

Can not imagine that there is not a soil sterilizer at your local feed store, co-op ag store or other such places. Stop by and ask, if they say they do not have anything then find another person to ask. Or get them to order what ever their supplier stocks. Landscape business in the area or nearby town are also going to have something that works well for them. Call around and ask for product names. Roundup is for sure a temporary product.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Box-blading gets rid of the grass for several months. Or you can spray poison that also lasts a few months (at most). Nothin' wrong with a grassy arena either IMO. When I think of the chemicals, used motor oil, etc., etc., that people used to treat the arenas when I rode competitively, and that I breathed in, it makes me sick.

 

[bigdeano]

Salt will keep things from growing. If you get a lot of rainfall it will probably wash away though. Might get into wells also.

 

[TheMan419]

Personally I would add sand for better footing. Compact the dirt you have. Add 3 inches of sand. The use a chain/drag harrow. Those ones that look a bit like chain link fence. You can get a 6 ft wide one for a couple hundred bucks. Harrow frequently (weekly or more often) and that should keep the weeds/grass at bay.

Not sure if your soil type so not sure if it would work w/o the sand. We are clay here so the harrow would do nothing.

 

[the old grind]

Re: Killing and preventing grass/weeds for an arena?

I get best results on phragmites australis (a tough rhyzome to beat down along shoreline) with RM43 at 2-3oz/gal mix. There is a recommended 'max' application rate listed in the second link below. (gal/ac/yr) Get it at TSC and others.

vs pure glypho it does suppress regrowth of native plants, but you don't want that. jon

RM43 HERBICIDE - Ragan & Massey

Your Ragan & Massey Guide: How To Spray RM43