Automatic, convenient, genious.
OTTO-Ebb&Flow is the perfect solution for anyone who is looking for maximum convenience in watering their arena.
OTTO-Ebb&Flow waters the arena ‘from below’ – and you don’t even notice it. Therefore, the horses can stay in the arena around the clock. The water level can be adjusted by the centimeter by means of an electronic control system.
Combined with legendary equestrian arena elements such as the OTTO-Perforated Mat™ and the OTTO-ArenaTex Footing, this results in a maximum amount of quality and convenience.
How it works
Anyone who has ever dipped a sugar cube into their coffee has already experienced a physical process called ‘capillary effect’ first-hand. This exact physical law is used in the OTTO-Ebb&Flow System.
By means of a sand layer underneath the OTTO-Perforated Mats™, a certain amount of water, regulated by the user, is consistently transported up into the footing in order to constantly provide the arena with the desired amount of moisture.
Using a system of water pipes, shafts and valves, the arena is constantly supplied with the specified amount of footing.
This also means that any excessive water, for example from rainfalls, is automatically let out, and more water is let in when needed, for example during dry periods. This way, the specified water level can be maintained.
The desired water level (specified in centimeters from the PVC liner upwards) can be adjusted on a control panel. Moreover, the control panel contains buttons to let water in and out as well as an emergency shutdown.
Watering the arena can thus be carried out from the arena border or any other given place in the yard.
Installation
As with all riding surface systems from OTTO Arena System, customers can choose between different installation models depending on the size of the project, available resources, and the desired level of support.
The OTTO Flood & Drain System is supplied as a complete high-quality material and system package. The actual installation can either be carried out independently by the customer or their construction company, or optionally under the technical supervision of an experienced supervisor provided by OTTO Arena System.
With the Supervisor option, a qualified specialist supports the different construction phases on-site and ensures that all work is executed correctly and according to system requirements.
This approach gives customers maximum flexibility, helps reduce installation costs, and at the same time provides professional technical guidance throughout the entire construction process.
4. Installation of electronics
OTTO-Ebb&Flow is a fully automatic, electronically controlled watering system which is very simple to handle.
The water level can be adjusted exactly by the centimeter by means of a control panel. The desired level is maintained by the system automatically. Excessive water, for example from rainfalls, can drain through outlets. Whenever additional water is needed, for instance during dry periods, it is automatically let in.
As a ‘cherry on the cake’, watering the footing can be done anytime without taking the horses off the arena.
5. Installation of water pipes
In order to transport the water into and out of the arena, the system relies on common PVC pipes which are installed across the arena with a gap of 2 meters to each other.
The pipes are covered with ‘stockings’ which are water permeable but will not let any sand into the pipes and clog them.
6. Installation of irrigation sand layer
A sand layer is installed on top of the pipes to transport the water from the pipes up into the footing. This is possible due to the capillary effect.
First, the sand layer is roughly spread across the arena, then it is adequately leveled using laser-controlled grading machines.
7. Installation of OTTO-PerforatedMats
Of course, no original riding arena from OTTO Arena System would be complete without the proven OTTO Perforated Mat. It is installed on top of the lower layer of washed sand and forms a key component of the entire riding surface system.
The OTTO Perforated Mat reliably separates the base layer from the riding layer while significantly enhancing the overall performance of the arena surface. Its main benefits include excellent elasticity, superior slip resistance, even load distribution, and increased comfort and safety for both horse and rider.
8. Installation of OTTO-ArenaTex Footing
Last but not least, the famous footing layer called OTTO-ArenaTex is installed on top of the OTTO-Perforated Mats™ with a layer thickness of 10 cm.
This layer is accurately leveled using laser-controlled graders as well.
OTTO-ArenaTex is a blend of silica sand, textiles and fibers and was developed over decades. It provides horse and rider with numerous benefits concerning safety, health and performance.
More info about the OTTO-ArenaTex Footing can be found here.
