Owners and trainers of horses put in thousands of dollars and hours of time into grooming their horses to be the best they can be. One of the most important aspects of keeping horses healthy and happy is ensuring that they have the right flooring to walk on. When building a horse arena, this is especially important, because the horses will train in the arena every day. There are some aspects to be wary of when planning a horse arena.

The surface materials can be two to six inches deep, and the recipe you use will greatly influence the speed  and endurance your horse will master. Recipes vary, including sand, rubber mulch, silt, clay, and other materials. Tire mulch is fairly new to the market, but many are finding that the extra absorbency it has gives horses an extra bounce in their step, and easier landing after jumps. Horse arena mulch should be mixed with other materials for the correct arena flooring.

The arena should be built on dry, flat, and well draining ground. It is advisable to build a shallow ditch around the perimeter of the arena for good draining of rainwater. Keep in mind that a ditch that is too steep could cause erosion of the base soil during real downpours.

Before choosing a surface material, it is important to have an adequate base. The base is the flooring between the earth and the surface material. It gives stability to the arena flooring, carries off rainwater, and acts as a protection between the earth and the surface material. The base should be hard packed, and carry no loose rocks or stones which can be dislodged by horses’ hooves.

It is safe to say that Hurricane Irene was one of the worst natural disasters to hit the northeast in years. States of Emergency were declared, and gas stations and supermarkets were emptied of flashlights, canned food, and the like. It may have been exciting to prepare for, but the aftermath left a path of destruction in its wake, with people left to repair, rebuild, and try to put their lives back together in these trying economic times. One of the many expenses that both private civilians and cities must take into account is restoring their play areas. On a whole, most playgrounds were not severely damaged, as the playground equipment is secured. However, flooring is a huge expense, and many areas were eroded, with their playground floors washed away. Some people were fortunate enough to escape this expense, by using rubber mulch.

Playground flooring is usually the last thing that people will put into their budget as a big expense, resorting to the most cost-effective solution. However, those who did invest in Playsafer rubber mulch are now reaping the rewards. The commonly used wood chips absorb water, and in a severe storm such as the one we’ve seen, can easily erode and get moldy. Rubber mulch, the playground flooring alternative, is synthetic and non-porous, allowing rain water to wash right over it. This feature is also beneficial when mulch is used for landscaping, as plants receive all the rainwater, as opposed to wood chips which absorb some of it on the way down.

Some playgrounds have playground rubber mats rather than rubber chips. This type of flooring has the same characteristics as rubber chips or shavings, allowing the ground to dry quickly, with no rotting. Playground mats are also very durable in the face of strong winds, and are secured well, allowing a place for children to roam free while the clean up commences.

Rubber mulch is also used in horse training arenas, where expenses are monumental. Horse farms are especially vulnerable to tropical storms such as Hurricane Irene, as all the structures are built from flimsy wood, from the fences to the paddocks and the barns. With so much rebuilding to be done, it is a relief to know that the flooring in the arena is safe. Rubber mulch is also especially important as the ground dries out quickly, making it safer for horses that would otherwise slip and slide on the wood.

At the time of purchase it may be hard to invest in rubber mulch, when there are more affordable options available. However, it is important to think about the future. In the event of a storm, and even under conventional circumstances, rubber mulch quickly pays for itself.

Do you now how rubber is formed? Rubber mulch is generated from old rubber tires. Rubber mulch is made up of microscopic granules. It is one of the most popular surfacing options for playground. Rubber mulch has long life span and is affordable. Mulch can also be used in arenas, stadiums and other fields. There are several advantages of using rubber mulch. It can be used for landscaping too.

The good news is that rubber mulch is environment friendly and non-toxic. Rubber mulch surfaced gardens and playgrounds do not need any type of special maintenance.

Rubber mulch can really beautify your gardens and back yards. Nowadays rubber mulch is also used in playgrounds. They can really make the playground a secure place. The mulch always acts as a shock absorber. In this way mulch can prevent fatal accidents in the play area.

Are you planning to buy rubber mulch? There are many things which should be considered before buying any type of mulch from the market. Nowadays mulch can be bought both online and offline. I would recommend you to buy it online. There are many benefits of online shopping. While shopping online you have an option to compare the prices and you can make the best possible choice.

Children love to play. If as a parent we can provide them safe play area, then we can rest assure that our kids will stay away from injuries.

Rubber mulch provides the safe play ground or play area for kids. Rubber mulch is manufactured from used rubber that has been reprocessed. You can use the rubber mulch for the children’s play area or for your own backyard or garden. You get the rubber mulch in so many different colors that you can even landscape your garden with it.

Here are some benefits of rubber mulch:

• It comes in different colors.
• It does not catch dust
• It cannot blow away in the storm.
• It cannot melt or rot, therefore will not smell.
• It does not be a magnet for insects.
• If the kids fall down on the rubber mulch while playing they will bounce off it and will not injure themselves.
• Its durability makes it long lasting.

When it comes to playground children safety surface. Rubberecycle mulch is the right answer for all the worries. Rubbermulch is very commonly and widely used in the children’s play area for its safety and providing character.

Every parent would love to have a play area that will keep their children safe while playing. Athletes will give higher priority to the ground materials used to furnish the play area. Landscaping mulch is very important in attracting the people to have the maximum usage. Rubber mulch is prepared from recycled rubber materials in an environmental friendly manner. It has got umpteen numbers of advantages when employed in the ground area or in the backyard. It is an important tip to know that greater the height of the materials employed there are more chances for the child to get injured.Rubber mulches provide a cushioned surface when children fall on them. This reduces the number of injuries sustained while playing. None of the sports activities will get halted due to the stagnant water after heavy showers. The rubber materials will absorb the water on the surface completely leaving no signs of a possible rain. It also prevents soil erosion and prevents the growth of weeds. People can be happy from the unwanted growth of weeds. Rubber mulches are environmentally safe products offering a greater durability. The price is very economical and it can be employed for about 20 to 25 years of period.

Rubber mulch is manufactured from recycled tires and finds varied uses. Rubber mulch is a long lasting alternative when compared to wood mulch. Available in different natural and trendy colors they sometimes resemble wood chips and shredded wood mulch. They are also available in different shapes and sizes and also in the form of chips, pellets, shreds and wedges. Rubber mulch is made by, the process of devulcanization wherein the tiers are frayed and made to go thermal treatment and also treated with softening agents and other chemicals. The steel wires from the recycled tires are removed through magnetization and then the rubber mulch is dyed in different colors. Rubber mulch does not fade or blow away and also never decomposes, so it does not require replacements every year. You can use these rubber mulches in gardens where one can cover the flowerbeds by setting 1 to 2 inches of rubber mulch over the beds. The mulch inhibits the weed growth while allowing the water and other nutrients to reach the plant. They can also be used over driveways and walkways to reduce the dust and the noise. Being a great shock absorber it also finds use in playgrounds and other areas.

The use of rubber mulch has been on the rise for the last few months for a variety of uses.  First of all, it is a byproduct obtained from used rubber tires.  Old rubber tires had once become an environmental hazard as millions of them were getting accumulated all over our country.  But the invention that the rubber treads of the tires can be put to use as rubber mulch saved the situation from getting out of hand.

Rubber mulch is superior from other mulches like leaves, wood shavings, etc on many counts.  Unlike organic mulches, it would not decay.  It prevents weed and pest growth too.  In addition, due to its durability, it would serve you for long years thereby removing the necessity for regular replacements.

Being available all over the country, you need not worry about how to obtain the material.  You can look up in Internet stores or local vendors depending on your convenience.  Those who used rubber mulch once would vouch for its durability, usability and convenience of the material.  New avatars of the ubiquitous material like colored mulch, playground mulch etc are also gaining widespread acceptance among the populace due to their versatility and affordability.

I have taken quite an interest in rubber mulch lately because I am awed by its many uses. Here are the things I learned about this wonderful discovery:

Fast Fact No. 1: Tires yield rubber mulch

Well, almost any tire, that is. Rubber mulch is derived from thin slivers of waste rubber called buffings. Little nuggets of rubber from tires that have been ground may also be used to make rubber mulch.

Fast Fact No. 2: Rubber mulch is a good insulator

Because of the texture and component of rubber mulch, it provides surface cover to the soil and insulates the soil from heat. It creates a temperature that is about 2 to 3 degrees Fahrenheit lower compared with soil that is covered by wood mulch.

Fast Fact No. 3: Rubber mulch can be a garden’s best friend

Rubber mulch is now used by more and more gardeners because rubber mulch is a weed buster. This is because it dehydrates the weed seeds in the mulch before the seeds even reach the soil. It reduces fungal growth as well. Because it is non-porous, rubber mulch is useful for maintaining soil moisture.

Fast Fact No. 4: Rubber mulch can last a lifetime

Rubber mulch is wise choice for those thinking of putting up playgrounds. It can also be beneficial to those who wish to avoid materials that decompose when doing landscapes. Horse arena footings are best constructed with rubber mulch that is mixed with sand or other surfacing materials. The reason for all of these is quite obvious: rubber mulch can last you a lifetime and will prove to be a great investment.

With all these things one can do with rubber mulch, it would come as no surprise to me that more people are trying to dig information about this breakthrough product. When you think about it, rubber mulch is a recycled material, and our environment needs us to recycle as much as we possible can.

Is Rubber Mulch toxic?

Rubber mulch is not toxic. In fact studies conducted by Maryland Environmental Services rubber much can even be swallowed, and pass straight through the digestive system of both humans and animals without harming them. Colored chips are also manufactured using non toxic colorings too. Even the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) approves of rubber mulch, as they are impressed by the production of rubber mulch, which means that non-biodegradable products are recycled and reused instead of ending up on the landfill site.

Doesn’t rubber mulch have steel in it that can hurt children and harm horses hooves?

Today’s rubber mulch granules are small rubber chips that are not likely to still have steel wire in them. The best rubber mulch producing companies also have state of the art magnet installed in the production process. This enables these top companies to guarantee that their rubber mulch is 99.99% free of steel.

Just How Safe is Rubber Mulch?

Rubber mulch is the safest surface that can be used for playground and equestrian surfaces as tested by many state and federal agencies like the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. These agencies have completed many studies and tests measuring the shock absorption rates of different surfaces. The one surface keeps coming out on top is rubber mulch. Rubber mulch beats sand, other types of mulch, bluestone and shavings. It reduces the impact when a child falls and helps prevent arthritis in horses legs.

What about surfaces made from other rubber materials?

This is answered in the Under Foot 2000 edition: “Rubber for footing applications is generally made from recycled tires. There are rubber footings available made from products such as sneakers, golf grips, conveyor belts, and lacrosse balls. However, compared to tire rubber they are lighter weight and tend to blow or wash away and will break down over time”

So you can see that rubber mulch is indeed a good surfacing choice for both playgrounds and equestrian surfacing, with the further added benefits of rubber mulch being indestructible so it doesn’t fall part or decay, it doesn’t freeze as it doesn’t retain moisture and is practically dust free.

Most of the bridle paths around the area where I live, are all covered with stones and gravel, which to be honest is some of the cheapest, dirtiest and sharpest type of material to be put anywhere. I’ve seen this material being used on building sites, to be put in the footings of a building and nothing else, because that is all it is good for. I am also sure this happens all around the world.

The other thing that is used on some of the bridle paths, is wooden mulch. This is thought to be good for the environment around it and for the horses that are using on it, but we should all know by now that wooden mulch can be expensive to use and needs a great deal of cleaning from a horses foot. Also it can cause fungal infections, not just in the horses foot, but also in the plants near where it is laid.

Another problem with these bridle paths, is those idiots that like to tear up and down them on motorbikes and mountain bikes. The mountain bikes are not too bad, but the others spread all that has been laid, far and wide, which does not leave a great deal of covering left for what it was put there for the horses.

One thing that local authorities or private land owners could do, is lay down rubber mulch or even a recycled rubber compound. Personally I would use the rubber mulch granules, the horses will love the way it gives them a bit of extra bounce, the fact that they won’t fungal infections in their feet, from it and the riders and owners will see and feel the benefit. It does not hurt as much if you fall off either.

Motorbike riders will hate it, as riding on it is not an easy thing to do. We have all seen or heard of racing drivers and riders, having no control of their vehicle, because they have hit the rubber balls that come from their tires. Well rubber mulch kind of works in the same way, wheels just don’t seem to get on with it, so it’s ideal for keeping them pesky trial bikes and joy riders off of the bridle paths.

Another plus is that you don’t get that horrible smell that lingers in the air, from wooden mulch and even that nasty gravel, the rubber mulch will last longer and the horses’ joints are not being jolted as much, as they really do feel the extra spring in their step.