Royal Warrant

Setting the winning standard in equine surfaces

What Surface

Just as each horse is unique, each surface demands different qualities. Whether a single discipline or a multitude of equestrian uses, your choice of arena surface is individual to you.
While our revolutionary all-weather surfaces have been designed with specific uses in mind, we understand how your needs and preferences may vary. This is why we use our years of expertise to help you choose the perfect one for you.

Select the use

Select an area or discipline to show what surface is best suited to you.

Dispel the Myths

What is the difference between a wax surface and a dry surface?

A wax surface has a hot wax added to the various ingredients, predominantly fine silica sand and they are initially mixed together; whereas a dry surface has the basic ingredients only.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of adding wax?

A wax surface binds the ingredients together, so they do not become dusty and it requires very little watering, if any; the disadvantage being that it is more expensive. A dry surface, depending on its location, requires a degree of water adding to it in order to prevent it from becoming dusty under certain circumstances. However, the cost advantage (to a wax surface) can be reduced by the requirement of installing a watering system. 

What is Clopf fibre and what are its advantages?

Clopf fibre is produced by shredding the offcuts of brand new carpets and removing any impurities should they exist, so the resultant product is environmentally ‘clean’. It then provides a ‘root structure’ to the sand, binding it together, so horses just make a print ‘on’ the surface (not dissimilar to good turf) rather than going deep ‘in’ to the surface; the effect being it rides much lighter and allows a horse to maintain its natural action and balance.

How much does Clopf cost?

Clopf is sold by the tonne and is delivered in bales; there are approximately 3 bales to a tonne. We will make a calculation as to how much you need, depending on the size of your arena; you will require a minimum depth of five inches of compacted sand (125mm) for Clopf to be mixed in to your surface.

Can Clopf be added to an existing sand surface and, if so, could I do it myself?

Yes it can be added and you can do it yourself. We will advise on the steps to be taken and we have an easy to follow video here on the website

How do I calculate the cost of adding Clopf to my arena?

To illustrate the answer to your question, let us use a 40m x 20m arena as an example:

  • A 40m x 20m arena is 800 square metres (sqm) in size
  • Clopf is added at 3.5 kilos per sqm, so that comes to 2.8 tonnes

Are your surfaces ‘maintenance free’?

A. No surface is maintenance free, not even grass. Martin Collins surfaces, like other synthetic surfaces, require looking after and you will receive guidance on the steps to be taken. We also manufacture ‘grooming machines’ (Arena Master or Gallop Master) to assist with keeping your surface evenly distributed to the depth required. Regular removal of dropping prevents the surface from becoming contaminated.

Can MCE surfaces be altered to suit different requirements?

Yes. Firstly, a variety of surfaces are manufactured to suit different requirements and at different costs. Then, each surface can be prepared to suit different needs. This particularly applies to gallops where the surface can be groomed to replicate different forms of turf going e.g soft, good to soft, good to firm etc; a ‘Gallop Master’ is required to carry out this task. 

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