Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The aim of this study is to find information about what to do when riding arena footings are worn-out. Especially, the surface layer of riding arena footings is very interesting because of its importance of giving grip in every step for the horse, as well as shock ab-sorption. Generally, surface layers are containing several different parts in order to achieve desirable properties. These different parts can consist of organic material or in-organic material (mostly gravel). Gravel and many other materials in the top-layer are environmental friendly, and therefore, easy to get rid of. However, when mixing envi-ronmental unfriendly material with gravel it is not that easy to get rid of in a non-polluting way. To get information, interviews with individuals, companies and some municipalities were made. The literature about used riding arena footing materials is rare, contrary how to make a good footing. The municipalities use the Swedish envi-ronmental law regarding deposition of used material; consequently, some part of the environmental law had to be used in the study in order to compare the results giving from the municipalities. The answers from individuals and companies were mostly about why and how they thought when they bought used material. What they would to do when the riding arena footing material is worn-out; they did not know.
Among other things, it is concluded that used but not worn-out footing materials has an aftermarket. Further, as a user, one has a responsibility to know what the footing mate-rial contains; if there are some materials that can be harmful to the environment. When getting rid of the material, talking with the municipality is recommended. The munici-palities always handle every case individually. If the material is totally friendly to the environment, you can take care of it on your own way at home.