Walker surfaces

The highest grip for maximum enjoyment of movement, which is what distinguishes a good walker surface.

As for all movement surfaces on a curved line, the lateral forces in the carousel also represent enormous demands on the shear strength of the surface. The horses move mainly centrally in the walkway and, as a result, the pointwise impact loads are concentrated over very few centimeters. Particularly in this area, the surface must have a high load capacity, be stable but also elastic.

In practice, in roofed or open walker systems, grids and surface matting systems are mainly used, which give the horses the highest amount of grip and stability and at the same time can be quickly cleaned.

Easily and quickly clean

One of the main problems in exercise areas is how fast they become dirty as a result of trodden-in dung. A good walker surface should therefore be easy to clean and dung should be able to be removed quickly. As with all riding applications, the principle applies that the thinner the covering of footings or sand the easier the care.

Non-slip and stable

The health of the animals is also of prime importance in the walkers. Therefore the surface should have permanently good grip. The necessary movement stimuli are provided by an anti-slip, clean surface. The horses do not cramp up and they run securely. Trip hazards such as raised grid elements or depressions are prevented by a stable surface structure joined firmly together.

For horse health

A resilient, elastic surface that is not too hard is gentle on the sensitive joints of the horses and cushions the point loads harmonically. As a result, an investment in a horse-friendly surface pays for itself after a short time, as unnecessary veterinary and care costs can be prevented.

  • Illustration der Dreischichtbauweise auf dem Reitplatz

Our recommendation: Three-layer construction with surface grids or matting system

The higher the load the more important a stable, permeable and secure structure. From our numerous, international projects and the close cooperation with riding facility owners and professionals, we know how important reinforcement is for the good of the animal and the lifetime of the carousel surface. The classic surface structure with three layers has particularly proved itself with a permeable sub-structure and a covering either of footings or anti-slip matting systems.

  • Permanent drainage and systematic dewatering with no sealing problems
  • Securely fixed sub-structure with optimum surface load distribution
  • Separation of sub-structure and footings
  • Slip resistance and grip through increased stability between the surface layers
  • The longest lasting installation type that is the most economical in the long run
  • Year round use
  • Biological cleaning process through downwards drainage: Surface drainage

 

Download installation advice

Rubber, sand or footings - the choice is yours

Covering of sand or footings

A perfectly matched footing layer provides the horse with the highest level of riding comfort and enjoyment of movement. The surface performance can be controlled and matched to the properties of the riding area. The only disadvantage is the higher cleaning effort, as the dung is harder to remove from the footings and this has to be topped up regularly. Whether with or without roofing, in every case sufficient frost protection should be added regularly here and the drainage performance of the surface checked.

Surface matting systems, including ECORASTER separating layer

A surface installed with ECORASTER SOFTGROUND is noticeably easier to maintain and is a system firmly held together with a separating layer of ECORASTER TE40 grids and a robust, anti-slip rubber mat. The surface can be cleaned in the shortest time with standard cleaning devices or steam cleaners and can be driven on. The matting system provides the necessary stability and grip to the horse even when raining. 

Our products for your walker surface

Grids

 

 

Walkers

 

 

Einige ausgewählte Führmaschinen-Referenzen

Reitanlage Neustadt – walker and movement track

New walker at the Grüne Au riding facility in Neustadt

The best movement stimuli thanks to a modular ecora walker, including the matching movement track. 

Properties

  • Year of implementation: 2016
  • Nature of surface: Natural soil
  • Area: 100 m², 16 m diameter
  • Construction time: 1.5 days separating layer, 4 days walker self assembled
  • Customer: Reitanlage Grüne Au, 96465 Neustadt b. Coburg OT Wildenheid

Project description

The new walker for the Schmittlein family creates optimum movement conditions for the horses. In the process, it can be seen once more that it is not just the machine but also the surface that provides the movement stimuli. The stabilizing separating layer, in this case of ECORASTER TE40, makes an enormously important contribution to increasing the slip resistance and also the shear resistance of the surface.

Thanks to the help of “Bob” Bernd Briese, the surface in the walker was installed within 1 ½ days. At the beginning, the upper surface was graded and a gradient established so that rainwater can easily run off. Afterwards, the ECORASTER was installed, filled with grit and then covered with sand.

After completing the surface and footing work, the walker could be self assembled by the riding facility team thanks to the easily understood assembly instructions. The result: Optimum training possibilities in almost any weather.

Products used for this reference


Your surface professionals for curved lines!

Arrange a meeting on-site or describe your problems or construction plans to us. Even on the telephone we can still give you valuable tips.

+49 9233 7140990

  • Die beiden Reitsportprofis Manuel Prause und Nadja Schmittlein für ecora