THE MAT FOR INDOOR RIDING ARENAS.
As you don't want to do without the unique features of the tried-and-tested OTTO mats in the indoor riding arena either, there is of course also a variant for indoor use: the OTTO-IndoorMat.
The OTTO-IndoorMat can do everything the versatile OTTO-PerforatedMat™ can do:
- Non-slip
- Elastic
- Ideal separating layer between substructure and footing
- Temperature resistant
- Durable
- Easy to install
The differences:
- Since irrigation in indoor arenas is done manually, the OTTO-IndoorMat, in contrast to its big sister, deliberately has no drainage holes. Water that hits the riding arena floor via the sprinkler system remains in the footing and does not seep into the substructure. This protects the wallet and the environment.
- Furthermore, the OTTO indoor mat does not have to be filled with a filtration layer of chippings, as it has no drainage holes. The footing can be applied directly to the riding arena mat.
The Features
In equestrian sports, particularly show jumping, the ground is subject to extreme stress and high impacts. Considering the average weight of a horse is 600 kg, up to 5 tons of force are exerted on the ground with the impact of the first hoof when horse and rider land after jumping an obstacle.
The surface must be able to absorb a large part of this force to prevent short- and long-term injuries to the horse.
How is this possible indoors?
With the OTTO-IndoorMat.The OTTO-IndoorMat is made from elastic recycled PVC. A large part of the force is therefore directed into the ground instead of the horse's legs, thus considerably reducing the strain on joints, ligaments and tendons.
In addition to shock absorption, however, an ideal riding surface must also be able to provide a spring-back effect for a portion of the force of the hoof striking the surface. This gives the horses more stability and improves their performance.
The OTTO-IndoorMat has been designed specifically for this purpose.
The perfect thickness and density of the recycled PVC used in the OTTO-IndoorMat means that it not only absorbs a large part of the impact force, but also provides effective cushioning for the horse's legs.
What if a horse accelerates, makes a tight turn or stops abruptly? In these cases, it is crucial to ensure the hooves have a secure foothold and cannot slip.
If the footing is applied to a flat surface, it will shift under the force of the hoof. Even if the surface has a separation layer with studs of equal height, the horses will slip, as the footing provides no support in this case either and will ‘subside’, similar to an avalanche.
The system of high and deep knobs that is unique worldwide and the high- and deep-water storage cups on the upper surface of the OTTO-IndoorMat provides an effective footing with adequate support which cannot slip, even when performing the tightest turns.
Many other separation layers have to be interlocked or installed butted up to each other.
As any plastic expands and contracts under temperature fluctuations, this can result in problems including ‘wavy’, undulating riding arenas, as the material has no ‘room for manoeuvre’.
Regardless of heavy rain, sub-zero temperatures or scorching heat, the OTTO-IndoorMat exceeds all expectations.
After all, several million OTTO-IndoorMats have been installed worldwide in a wide range of climates - and they all work!
Weather conditions cannot damage OTTO-IndoorMats, as they are made of high-quality recycled plastic.
In conditions of high temperature fluctuations, OTTO PerforatedMats can expand and contract with no problem at all, as they are installed with a small joint spacing between each mat.
The OTTO-IndoorMat is produced using the highest quality materials, which guarantee the mats an extremely long service life. There’s a good reason why the OTTO-IndoorMat comes with a 20-year warranty for functionality!
If you do have to replace the footing after many years of use, you don’t have to touch the entire sub-base layer or the OTTO-IndoorMat. So, by replacing just the footing, your riding surface will be as good as new!
Even if you are aware of the importance of a high-quality indoor arena surface nowadays, the effort to achieve it can often be daunting.
You can relax with the OTTO-IndoorMat – the proven riding arena mat for indoor riding arena surfaces is relatively easy to lay.
OTTO-IndoorMats can be installed quickly and easily as, unlike other systems, they are laid using a small joint only, and require no interlocking or anchoring.
The mats can be easily cut to size (e.g. to fit the border of the arena), with any commercially available hand-held circular saw, jigsaw or chain saw. (Please ensure you wear the necessary protective clothing).
You will receive detailed installation instructions when you purchase your OTTO-IndoorMats and our team will be available to provide advice and support.
How can you build your own indoor riding arena surface?
Instructions on how to build an OTTO indoor riding arena surface are available here.Do you require a complete turnkey construction?
Would you like the experts to build your indoor riding arena?
Our professional partner, OTTO SPORT, has 30 years of experience in riding arena construction and will realise your dream of your own riding surface.
Julia Hanley
Loop Livery Yard, Burnley, England
"The OTTO-IndoorMat is the main reason why our indoor arena is in such excellent shape. Stability is the most important thing for us – and the Mats provide that, whether you’ve just groomed the arena or some time has passed since you last did that. You can just feel that the hooves behave just they way they should on it. The horses never skid or trip.
Our riders do everything on this surface: jumping, dressage etc. Thanks to the OTTO-IndoorMat, all of that is possible on this surface.
I wish more people in the equestrian industry would train and compete on such a surface. Then, the quality of living for horses in this world would be a lot higher."
FAQ
The OTTO IndoorMat serves as a separating layer between the sub-base layer and the footing in indoor riding arenas and thus prevents the sub-base layer from mixing with the footing. It also serves as a cushioned surface, because the elastic material of the OTTO IndoorMat provides noticeable shock absorption properties and protects the horse's joints, tendons and ligaments. The OTTO IndoorMat is also characterised by its skid-resistance and requires less sand for the footing. As a capillary barrier, it retains a sufficient amount of water to ensure efficient moisture penetration of the footing.
Yes, this is possible on request, but they must be installed in a different way. A levelling layer of recycled material is applied to the existing surface, which is determined individually for indoor riding arenas. The OTTO PerforatedMats are then installed, which are then again be backfilled with fine chippings. The footing is then applied.
(The "backfilling with fine chippings" step is not required for OTTO IndoorMats. The footing is applied directly on the IndoorMats.)
No. The OTTO-PerforatedMats are filled with fine crushed stone to prevent fine sand particles as well as any type of dirt (e. g. horse manure) from entering the drainage layer and clogging it. On the other hand, since the OTTO-IndoorMat does not have any holes, it does not need to be filled with fine crushed stone.
A requirement for installing the OTTO-IndoorMat is a stable, firm subbase. If needed, an additional leveling layer may have to be installed. A drainage layer is not necessary as irrigation is manually controlled in an indoor arena.
A requirement for installing the OTTO-IndoorMat is a stable, firm subbase. If this type of subbase is already provided, the existing footing has to be removed. If the footing can be reused, it will be stored on site and re-installed after the Mats have been laid. If you would like for us to have a look at your existing arena, feel free to contact us anytime.
As the name already indicates, the holes make all the difference. Since the OTTO-PerforatedMat has been engineered for outdoor arenas, ideal drainage must be ensured. This is accomplished by means of the holes. The OTTO-IndoorMat, on the other hand, has been engineered for indoor arena and does not need holes, as irrigation in indoor arena is carried out manually and there is no excess water.
The high and low knobs on the topside of the Mat provide considerably more stability to the footing and thus prevent the horses from skidding.
The OTTO-IndoorMats are not suitable for outdoor arenas. They don’t have any holes, so excess water would not be able to drain quickly enough.
Provided that the subbase is stable enough, the OTTO-IndoorMat can resist weight up to 40 metric tons.
The OTTO-IndoorMats are installed in a staggered pattern with a gap of 2 – 3 cm between each other. The knobs must be on the topside of the Mat.
When installing the OTTO-IndoorMat, a small extension gap of 2 – 3 cm between the Mats is left. The Mats are not interlocked. Their mere self-weight and the weight of the sand layer on top provide them with enough grip on the subbase.
Usually, one pallet contains 50 OTTO-IndoorMats.
One OTTO-IndoorMat is 117 cm long, 84 cm wide and 3,5 cm high. It weighs approx. 15 kg. The color, shape, dimensions and weight of the mats can vary depending on the production process. However, this in no way affects the functionality. Complaints or exchanges in this regard are excluded.
The OTTO-IndoorMat is an extremely long-lasting recycled PVC product which can be disposed of at any waste dump as residual waste. However, we recommend selling the Mats as used products whenever someone doesn’t need them anymore (forums, small ads, magazines).
The OTTO-IndoorMats do not come in different colors. Due to color fluctuations in the raw material, slight, hardly noticeable variations in color may occur. Since the OTTO-IndoorMats are installed underneath the footing, their color is irrelevant.
No. The OTTO-IndoorMat is a product specifically designed for equestrian sports and which works only when combined with a footing layer (for example OTTO-ArenaTex Footing) with at least 8 cm thickness installed on top of the Mats. Without a footing layer, the horses would trip over the knobs on the topside of the Mats.
Yes. The OTTO-IndoorMats is perfectly suited for temporary installation, for example for tournaments, but only indoors (the OTTO-IndoorMats are closed and do not let water drain – for outdoor events, we recommend installing the OTTO-PerforatedMats)
Due to the high amount of elasticity of its material, the OTTO-IndoorMat provides increased shock-absorption, i. e. the force of the hooves’ impact is absorbed in large part by the Mat, resulting in a tremendous relief of the horses’ legs. The joints are spared compression and the tendons are strained less. At the same time, the OTTO-IndoorMats create enough stability so that the horses have sufficient grip.
For very hot climates, the OTTO-DesertMats are better suited than the OTTO-IndoorMats as they can store even more water and constantly pass it on to the footing.
When it comes to indoor arenas in hot climates, the same as in other climates applies.
The knobs on the OTTO-DesertMat (closed OTTO-PerforatedMat) are higher and thus provide more grip than the OTTO-IndoorMat. Also, more water can be stored in the OTTO-DesertMat and be passed on to the footing.
The OTTO-IndoorMats are installed with a gap of approx. 2 – 3 cm and edge to edge. The many little knobs need to be on the upside of the Mat.
For tournaments or any other event with an only temporarily installed surface, the OTTO-IndoorMats are best suited since they do not need a special subbase and do not need to be filled in with small crushed stone.
When installing an equestrian surface, a firm and stable subbase in required. Topsoil or mud does not provide such a subbase. Depending on the type of subbase, certain measures have to be taken. If you would like an on-site visit, feel free to contact us.
For indoor arenas, we usually recommend checking whether a leveling layer of a few centimeters might be appropriate.
No. Since irrigation in an indoor arena is carried out and regulated manually, no excess water is created. Therefore, the OTTO-IndoorMats don’t have to provide drainage.
The OTTO-IndoorMat is a product specifically designed for the installation in indoor arenas and is, therefore, not suitable for installation in outdoor arenas.