A 99.9% wire-free, 20mm recycled-rubber arena surface for horse arenas, ménages and riding schools — all-weather going that drains fast, cushions the ride and cuts the dust, used on its own or blended into your existing sand.
20mm recycled rubber
Why riders choose rubber for their arena
Sand alone goes deep in the wet, dusty in the dry and freezes hard in winter. A rubber surface fixes all three.
All-weather going
Free-draining and frost-resistant — rideable through wet winters and dry summers when plain sand struggles.
Cushioned & consistent
Shock-absorbing underfoot for cleaner, more confident movement, with even going from fence to fence.
99.9% wire-free
Washed and screened recycled rubber, de-wired to 99.9% — safe for hooves, fetlocks and bare feet.
Knocks back dust
Blended through sand it binds the surface and holds moisture, so the school rides far less dusty.
Low maintenance
Doesn't rot or break down like woodchip or fibre — level and top up occasionally, no yearly replacement.
Top-dress or blend
Lay it as a rubber topping or mix it into your existing sand base — we'll advise the right ratio for your arena.
Arena rubber calculator
Enter your arena size and the rubber depth you're after. Worked out the same way as our chippings calculator — rubber covers about 20kg per m² at 50mm depth. It's a guide only; for an exact figure and delivery price, send it to us for a tailored quote.
Depth depends on your base and whether you're topping up or laying fresh. Not sure what depth you need? Ask us — we'll advise.
Full arenas typically run to several tonnes — 10–20 tonne orders are no problem and come by articulated lorry. Estimate only, not a specification.
Rubber chippings vs sand vs woodchip
| What matters | Rubber chippings | Sand only | Woodchip / fibre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rides in the wet | ✓ Free-draining | ~ Goes deep | ✗ Holds water, rots |
| Rides in the dry | ✓ Low dust | ✗ Dusty | ~ Breaks down |
| Winter / frost | ✓ Resists freezing | ✗ Freezes hard | ~ Variable |
| Cushioning | ✓ Springy | ~ Firm | ~ Soft then flat |
| Lifespan | ✓ Years, no rot | ~ Compacts | ✗ 1–2 seasons |
| Upkeep | ✓ Level & top up | ~ Constant watering | ✗ Yearly replacement |
Planning a full arena? Get a tailored quote
Most arena jobs aren't one-size-fits-all — tonnage depends on your size, base and whether you're topping up or starting fresh. Tell us about your arena and we'll come back with the right quantity, a price including delivery, and advice on blending with your current surface.
Or call us direct: 01665 497513 · info@rackerman.co.uk
Specification
Delivery
Free, mainland UK
Pallet delivery on a tail-lift lorry. For large arena orders we can arrange articulated lorry (artic) delivery — just ask. Highland, island and remote postcodes may need a surcharge.
Booked with you
We contact you to arrange a convenient delivery day between 8am and 6pm.
Plan your access
Flat, solid access for a large lorry and a pallet truck, and help on hand to move the bags once offloaded.
Not sure yet? Try a £1 sample
Feel the texture and the 99.9% wire-free finish before you commit to a full arena order. One sample, no minimum, posted out to you.
Equestrian rubber chippings — FAQs
What are they made from?
Can I mix it into my existing sand?
How much do I need for a 20×40 arena?
Will it reduce dust?
Does it cope with winter?
Is it safe — any wires?
How is it delivered?
Do you do trade and riding-school pricing?
Equestrian rubber chippings for arenas, ménages & riding schools
Rackerman's equestrian rubber chippings are an all-weather arena surface made from 99.9% wire-free, 20mm recycled rubber. Used as a rubber top-dressing or blended into your existing sand, they give a consistent, cushioned, free-draining surface for horse arenas, ménages, indoor and outdoor schools, lunge rings, gallops, paddocks and muddy gateways across the UK.
Unlike sand on its own — which rides deep in the wet, dusty in the dry and freezes hard in winter — a rubber-and-sand surface drains quickly, holds enough moisture to keep dust down, and resists frost, so your school stays rideable through more of the year. And unlike woodchip or fibre, rubber doesn't rot or break down, so there's no annual replacement: level it, top it up occasionally, and it lasts for years.
Every arena is different, so the right quantity and blend ratio depend on your arena size, base and discipline. Tell us about your arena and we'll work out the exact tonnage, give you a delivered price, and advise on mixing it with your current surface. Trade and riding-school accounts are welcome.
Construction materials & equestrian surfacing · UK supplier
info@rackerman.co.uk · 01665 497513
Prices include VAT
Rackerman's equestrian rubber chippings are a 99.9% wire-free, 20mm recycled rubber arena surface for horse arenas, ménages and riding schools across the UK. Also known as horse arena rubber mulch or equestrian rubber mulch, they are used as a top dressing blended into a sand base, adding grip, cushioning and year-round drainage to your arena — without the airborne dust of pure silica sand or the rot and short lifespan of bark. Supplied in bulk bags with mainland UK delivery, with loose loads and full articulated-lorry (artic) deliveries available by quote for large and full-arena orders of 10–20 tonnes or more.
Horse Arena Rubber Mulch — What It Is
Horse arena rubber mulch (also called equestrian rubber chippings, rubber crumb arena surface or ménage rubber) is shredded recycled rubber, typically 20mm, laid as the top performance layer of a rubber arena surface. The same recycled-rubber material used for playground and landscape mulch, processed to a wire-free grade suitable for equestrian use. Most UK arenas are built as a sand-and-rubber surface with the rubber mixed into or dressed over a silica sand base — the rubber adds spring, binds the surface for consistent riding, and reduces concussion on your horse's joints.
What Are Equestrian Rubber Chippings?
Equestrian rubber chippings — also called horse arena rubber, rubber chips for horse arena, rubber crumb arena surface or ménage rubber — are shredded recycled rubber, typically 20mm, laid as the top performance layer of a rubber arena surface. Many UK arenas are built as an equestrian sand and rubber surface, with the rubber mixed into or dressed over a silica sand base to add spring and stability underfoot, reduce concussion on your horse's joints and help bind the surface so it rides consistently in all weathers. It is the same recycled-rubber material used for play and landscaping, processed to a wire-free grade suitable for equestrian use.
Why Use Rubber Chippings in a Horse Arena or Ménage?
- 99.9% wire-free for horse safety — These are wire free rubber chippings, magnetically de-wired during processing to remove steel from the recycled rubber, giving a 99.9% wire-free grade suited to equestrian surfacing.
- Grip and cushioning — Adds spring and traction to a sand base, reducing slip and easing concussion on legs and joints during schooling and jumping.
- Dust-free riding — Unlike pure silica sand, rubber doesn't throw up airborne dust — better for your horse's airways and ideal for indoor arenas.
- Free-draining year-round — Water drains straight through, keeping the surface rideable through wet UK winters with no pooling or waterlogging.
- Long-lasting and low-maintenance — Rubber doesn't rot, freeze or break down like bark. A well-built surface only needs an occasional small top-up rather than annual replacement.
- Consistent footing — Holds its structure under daily use in private yards, livery yards and riding schools.
Rubber Mulch UK for Equestrian Use — Same Material, Wire-Free Grade
Rubber mulch UK and equestrian rubber chippings are the same recycled rubber material, processed to different specifications for their intended use. The equestrian grade is magnetically de-wired to 99.9% wire-free by volume — a safety-critical spec for horse arenas that our standard playground and garden rubber mulch shares. If you're specifying rubber for a horse arena rather than a play area, always request the wire-free equestrian grade even though the base material is identical.
99.9% Wire-Free Rubber Chippings — What It Means
Our equestrian rubber chippings are de-wired magnetically during manufacture to a 99.9% wire-free grade by volume. We quote 99.9% rather than 100% because no recycled-rubber product can be guaranteed entirely free of trace metal — and we'd rather be accurate than over-promise on your horse's safety. For best results we recommend laying the rubber arena surface over a geotextile membrane, and buyers should satisfy themselves that the surface is suitable for their specific arena, sub-base and discipline.
How Much Rubber Do You Need? Arena Coverage Guide
As a guide, a standard 20m x 40m (800m²) arena needs roughly 20 tonnes of rubber chippings for a 50mm top layer over an established sand base. One 1000kg bulk bag covers approximately 8–10m² at 50mm depth. Depth and quantity depend on your existing sub-base, sand depth and discipline, so send us your arena dimensions and we'll calculate the exact tonnage — no guesswork, no over-ordering.
Delivery — Pallet & Articulated Lorry Delivery to Mainland UK
Equestrian rubber chippings are delivered on pallets through a national pallet network, with loose loads and full articulated-lorry (artic) deliveries available by quote for large and full-arena orders of 10–20 tonnes or more. Lead time is 5–15 working days to mainland UK from when your order is processed. During busy periods — the spring and summer season, bank holidays and seasonal shutdowns — delivery can take a little longer. If your order is time-sensitive, call us on 01665 497513 before ordering and we'll confirm the current lead time.
Bulk bags arrive on a tail-lift lorry with a pallet truck, so we need flat, solid access (tarmac or concrete) with room for a large lorry — pallet trucks can't cross gravel, grass, soft ground, slopes or kerbs. Articulated-lorry deliveries for large orders need clear access for an artic and, where there's no loading equipment on site, help to offload. You'll be contacted during your dispatch week to arrange a delivery day between 8am and 6pm. Large and heavy deliveries may need offload assistance — please have help available to move the bags once offloaded, and tell us about any access restrictions (narrow lanes, gateways, overhead height) when you order. Mainland UK only; some Highland, island and remote postcodes may need a surcharge or longer lead time, and we'll contact you first if so. Full details are in our delivery policy.
Suitability & Care
Made from inert, non-toxic recycled rubber. Colour may vary slightly between batches due to the recycled source, so we recommend ordering your full volume in one go for a uniform finish. This product is supplied as a loose surfacing material; the buyer is responsible for confirming its suitability for their intended use and for correct installation over a suitable base.
Related guides
Work out arena tonnage with our rubber chippings coverage calculator, and read rubber chippings for horses: arenas, paddocks & muddy gateways. Surfacing a children's play area instead? Use our playground surfacing depth & Critical Fall Height calculator to match depth to the equipment's fall height.