A Conversation Between Dan Carr and Miri Hackett
Building a safe and effective high-performance arena surface is one of the most challenging tasks in equestrian facility design. In a recent on-site discussion, Dan Carr and Miri Hackett met to talk through the critical factors involved—focusing on horse safety, footing performance, and consistency.
Safety and Horse Confidence
The most important priority in an arena is the safety of the horse. As discussed, the footing must allow horses to gallop hard, stop securely, and turn with confidence without slipping, tripping, or losing trust in the surface. A surface that is too soft—especially those with synthetic fibers—can cause horses to trip, while overly hard surfaces increase concussion.
The surface examined allowed horses to take off at speed, stop without sliding, and maintain strong grip during turns. Horses showed confidence underfoot, which is essential for both performance and injury prevention.
Consistent Firmness from Top to Bottom
One of the major issues with traditional synthetic wax arena surface is that while the top may feel ridable, the layers underneath often become too hard, leading to inconsistent footing and increased concussion. In contrast, Noviun Surfaces are designed to provide consistent firmness throughout the depth of the footing, improving safety and predictability.
A small amount of spray during turns was noted as a positive indicator—showing grip and release—rather than an overly compacted surface that limits movement.
Year-Round Indoor Arena Performance
Another challenge discussed was freezing in indoor arenas, especially where the base is too hard. Noviun arena surface systems can incorporate natural oil-based treatments that help prevent freezing, allowing the arena to remain playable year-round without sacrificing footing consistency.
Balancing Playability and Concussion Control
As Dan Carr and Miri Hackett emphasized, the real challenge is achieving rideability while keeping concussion levels consistent and safe. Creating an arena surface that performs equally well for polo, dressage, and jumping—while maintaining uniform depth and firmness—is a significant accomplishment.
Noviun Surfaces are engineered to meet this balance, delivering a footing system that supports high-level performance while prioritizing horse welfare.