Rubber Footing for Horses | SBR & EPDM Granules for Arenas, Stables and Hippodromes | Horse Track
Horse Track is Prismi’s specialist range of SBR and EPDM rubber granules for equestrian surfaces, produced in Italy since 1996.
Used as a rubber additive to sand footing in official race tracks, private riding arenas and training tracks, the granules reduce hoof impact stress, improve drainage during rain and maintain consistent surface texture under heavy use.
Available in two MIX-color grades tested at major Italian hippodromes as a performance-improving alternative to pure sand footing:
Underfloor Hybrid Mix UV and Underfloor Open Mix UV.
Benefits of rubber footing for horses and riders
‘Benefits of rubber footing for horses and riders’:] Rubber footing mixed with sand improves equestrian surface performance in several measurable ways.
It cushions hoof impact and reduces the risk of fetlock and tendon injuries in horses, improving both welfare and athletic performance.
The rubber granules maintain drainage channels that prevent waterlogging during heavy rain, allowing training and racing to continue in conditions that would force closure of sand-only tracks.
Surface consistency is preserved over time since rubber does not compact or wash out like loose sand particles.
Applications | hippodromes, training tracks and private stables
Underfloor Hybrid Mix UV | rubber footing for official race tracks
Underfloor HYBRID MIX UV
Underfloor Hybrid Mix UV is Prismi’s EPDM MIX granule for official hippodrome racing tracks: 2–6 mm granulometry, dosed at 20% by weight with silica sand. Produced from pre-consumer rubber, free from steel wire. 95% light stability and 97% abrasion resistance. Tested at major Italian hippodromes. Made in Italy since 1996. Technical data sheet available.
Underfloor Open Mix UV — rubber drainage layer for stables and training arenas
Underfloor Open MIX UV
Underfloor Open Mix UV is Prismi’s EPDM MIX granule for riding arenas, training tracks and equestrian schools: 6–12 mm granulometry, dosed at 20% by weight with silica sand. Produced from pre-consumer rubber, free from steel wire. 90% light stability and 90% abrasion resistance. Designed for intensive daily equestrian use. Technical data sheet available.
Frequently Asked Questions | Use and performance of EPDM rubber granules for horse tracks arenas and training rings.
What does the Horse Track rubber footing system consist of?
Horse Track is not a pure rubber surface: it is a blending system in which EPDM rubber granules are mixed into the existing silica sand footing of an equestrian surface. The granules are raked or mechanically incorporated at a dosage of 20% by weight relative to the sand. This improves the footing quality without requiring complete replacement of the existing base, keeping installation costs low while adding the elastic properties of rubber to the natural characteristics of sand.
Why use pre-consumer EPDM granules instead of recycled tyre granules (ELT) for horse tracks?
Recycled tyre granules (ELT), at the granulometry sizes required for equestrian footing (2–12 mm), may contain residual steel wire fragments that could injure a horse’s hoof or penetrate the ungual horn during training. Prismi Horse Track granules are produced from pre-consumer EPDM rubber industrial scrap, completely free from metal inclusions. This makes them the only safe choice for tracks where animal welfare is an absolute priority.
Does rubber footing improve track drainage during rain?
Yes. EPDM rubber granules, thanks to their elastic structure and irregular shape, create and maintain interstitial spaces within the sand footing that act as natural drainage channels. This prevents surface waterlogging even during heavy rainfall, allowing training and official racing to continue in weather conditions that would render sand-only tracks unusable. The practical result is greater operational continuity for equestrian facilities and race venues.
What is the difference between Underfloor Hybrid Mix UV and Underfloor Open Mix UV?
The two products differ in granulometry and specific application. Underfloor Hybrid Mix UV has 2–6 mm granulometry and is designed for official hippodrome racing tracks, where horse speed requires a more compact footing with rapid elastic response. Underfloor Open Mix UV has 6–12 mm granulometry and is intended for riding arenas, training circles and equestrian schools, where use is more varied and a softer texture reduces joint stress during extended work sessions.
How much rubber granule is needed for a riding arena or hippodrome track?
The standard recommended dosage is 20% by weight relative to the existing sand footing. The actual volume depends on the depth of the existing sand layer and the total surface area to be treated. Prismi provides technical support to calculate the exact requirements and assess blending feasibility based on the equipment available on site. Our technical team is available for site assessments and direct consultations with installers and facility managers.