Greg Meyer Construction Ltd

Silica Sand for Riding Arenas

All silica sand is not created equal. The most desirable type of silica sand is termed 
"Sharp Silica Sand".  The term sharp silica is derived from the microscopic appeaence of 
the individual grains of sand. (Click here to see photomicrograph of quarried silica sand)
Under the microscope the corners of sharp silica sand are very angular and defined like 
the edges of a cut gem stone.  This is important in the terms of how the sand moves under 
a horses foot.  The sharp edge grains of sand will tend to lock together and 
"anchor" the sand in location resulting in firm footing that is not too "deep". 
This type of silica sand can only be obtained from quarried deposits of which there are 
only a few in the U. K.  Transportation of this sand to your location can be a significant cost.
As a cheaper alternative, silica sand obtained from marine dredging operations is often 
used due to it's wider availability and subsequently lower transport costs.  
Even though often marine origin silica sand is termed "sharp sand", this type of silica sand 
when examined under a microscope will have very rounded edges of the individual grains 
that result from wave action moving the grains of sand back and forth against one another.  
(Click here to see photomicrograph of marine origin silica sand)
Over time this action results in a smoothing and rounding of the individual grains.  This physical 
change in the grain surface produces a sand that moves much more under the horses foot 
as the sand grains more easily roll across one another.  This results in footing that is termed loose and or deep.

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