Conference noted::equitation

    
    In northern climates we are somewhat limited in what works.
    
    I don't know how bad calcium chloride is for hooves.  I suspect its not
    much more drying than sawdust (since you aren't stabling the horse
    in calcium chloride) or more abrasive than sand.  And better than the
    alternatives -- like a dusty arena or an icy one. 
    
    I know of people who have used oil (used oil from service stations). 
    It does control the dust but not necessary something you want your
    horse to roll in when he's turned out.
    
    

    I, too, would dearly appreciate any suggestions!
    
    We have a dead sand (sand/dirt misture) surface on the indoor. 
    The stalls face the indoor, which is not how I'd have built it
    but it's "liveable".  Dust is a real problem for us.
    
    Don't oil the ring if you're ever going to turn your horse out to
    platy in it.  This I know from an experience with a white horse
    named hemmoroid (he deserves the name).  And water is dangerous
    in cold weather.
    
    

I vaguely remember someone in this conference talking about using 
'diatenatious earth' (sp??) for something, don't ask me what now.  I wonder
if it was for dust control.  Does anyone remember?

Regarding using oil on indoors:  I thought that was illegal (at least in NH).
I'm not sure whether it violates fire codes or if there is some other
carcinogenic reason.  I wonder what the petroleum does on their hooves?  

    
    RE:  Petroleum on hoofs
    
    Probably similar to what pine tar does, if you were to paint it on. 
    
    It doesn't take much oil to de-dust a ring.  Just enough to control the
    dust and make a mess of your horse's coat.

    Here in Ohio, oil is legal, as long as it isn't used oil. I believe
    the carcenogenic properties realate to used oil.
    

    Dumping oil was made illegal in Mass several years ago for environmental
    reasons--to protect the groundwater supplies.  It seems pretty unlikely
    that oil in an indoor will (or can) get washed down with the rain, but
    then politicians have never been known for their brains!
    
    Mary  

	I finally found the note about 'diatomacious earth' (871.3) and
	it was for fly control, not dust control.  Oh well.

    used oil is a toxic waste and should not be used to control dust. In
    fact, used oil should be dealt with as a hazardous waste.
    The calcium chloride from what I understand, affects the respiratory
    tract of the horse (and I suppose us riders too). I would rather deal
    with breathing in dust than chloride. 
    Is it that cold in the indoor ring during the day that you couldn't
    spray the sand with water? What about adding clay to the sand?
    			Cindy
    

The ring where I keep my critter is never dusty. I have been amazed at how 
clean it always is. The footing is tanbark/wood chips layered over stone dust 
layered over crushed stone and it is always pretty moist.

The people hand-spread calcium chloride and then rinse it through the layers
with a water sprinkler (yes, it does hail inside ;^)) and they do this sometimes
once a week if necessary. They only run the sprinkler enough to wash it through
(just moistens the layer) and its rideable right after, though they do close
the ring for the hour that it takes to do it.

Also, they keep the arena doors open when it snows or rains to capture some of
the moisture... That seems to help also.

Good luck!

    re .8
    
    The top layers don't freeze, but the surface underneath does
    when it's about 0 degrees outdoors.  And believe me, it's no
    fun riding jumper courses and finding out your ring is slippery!
    We have one other problem in that the bedrock is less than a 
    foot beneath the surface, so drainage isn't the best.
    
    -maureen
    

    
    Yeah - be careful with watering in winter, I've had the frozen
    underneath experience, and it's pretty scary.
    
    Amy
    

    An indoor ring at a riding stable I worked at had a sprinkler
    system throughout the rafters.  When it got too dusty, just a
    quick sprinkle and the dust settled.  Not a soaking, mind you,
    just a "sprinkling" to dampen what I think was a ground
    wood/bark base.
                                 
    
    Lynne