It’s no secret that good footing is a key component to keeping horses sound, happy and successful in the show ring. Nick Attwood, president of Attwood Equestrian Surfaces, says the success of his company is no secret either. “There is always a good market for a great product.”
And Nick would know—Attwood Equestrian Surfaces has been helping equestrians build their dream arena, remodel their current ring or improve the quality of their footing for over 15 years. He understands that a great deal of consideration goes into building an arena and/or choosing the perfect footing. Meticulous attention to all the details is vital.



There are more things to consider than what discipline the ring is primarily used for—drainage, what material the base is formed of and climate, all play an important role. Attwood’s staff has a background in chemistry, construction and manufacturing, which enables them to research and create carefully balanced arenas and products that perform consistently.
“I wouldn’t stake my company and its reputation on any product that I wasn’t 100 percent sure of and that I couldn’t guarantee 100 percent,” explains Nick. “We manufacture a polymer-coated, dust-free footing that does not require watering, and it is engineered from carefully selected and filtered sand and poly-microfibers.”
Nick explains that unlike similar footings that are coated in wax, Attwood footing choices are far superior because polymer-coating is not as temperamental as wax. Wax-coated footings are very sensitive to climate changes, especially heat. When the weather is moderate, they perform well and bind all the components of the footing together.
However, when the weather is cold, it condenses and becomes very hard; and, when the thermostat rises the wax heats up and it expands or melts, losing its adhesive qualities and rides very deep. Nick adds, “our footing remains consistent over a wide range of temperatures, giving you a true all-weather surface.”

Variety is the Spice of Life
To stay at the forefront of footing advancements and to produce new, innovative surfaces, Attwood Equestrian Surfaces has dedicated their company to investing in footing research and development. Equation, Terra2000 and Pinnacle are products of Attwood’s dedication. Attwood’s footings fall into two categories: complete footings and additives. Complete footings, like Equation, are pre-blended surfaces that are carefully manufactured to meet Attwood’s exact standards and, when installed, they will make up the entire arena surface. Additives are exactly that: materials that can be added to an existing sand arena to help create a more consistent ride. The additives, Micro Supreme and Cushion Air, will reduce dust, increase shear strength and provide traction.
The company’s premier product, Equation, is Attwood’s original dust-free footing, which Nick says was the first manufactured in the United States. Fifteen years later, the first arenas Attwood completed remain dust-free today. Terra2000 is also a dust-free, non-tacky footing which also incorporates premium materials that enhance viscoelastic rebound and minimize concussion.
Pinnacle is Attwood’s latest and greatest footing choice. It combines the latest in technology and Attwood’s 15 years of footing experience. It maintains the best qualities of its brothers, Equation and Terra 2000, but has additional premium materials to increase the footing’s shear strength, provide minimal concussion and offer maximum viscoelastic rebound. Pinnacle is laser graded to a uniform depth of five inches over a carefully graded compacted base.
“I know this sounds biased, but I really believe we offer one of the best footings out there,” says Nick. “There is a reason we have thousands of happy customers in 35 states.”
For more information on Attwood Equestrian Surfaces visit www.equestriansurfaces.com, call 888-461-7788 or e-mail info@equestriansurfaces.com.