Equestrian facilities face major challenges in terms of water management, not least because of the economic, environmental and societal stakes involved. Summer droughts and water restrictions can have a significant impact on equestrian activities, leading to financial losses and limiting the use of infrastructures.
Faced with these challenges, OdysséeLab developed EQUISI in response to growing market demand for innovative, sustainable solutions to ensure efficient water management in equestrian facilities, while preserving soil quality and minimizing environmental impact.
An irrigation which requires a lot of water
The market is currently dominated by "traditional" sprinkler irrigation. It consumes a lot of water, is subject to high levels of drift and evaporation, and is difficult to meet the technical challenges of equestrian practice.
This technique is still the most widely used in France, as it requires less technical expertise than current sub-irrigation techniques. Sprinkler irrigation requires little earthworks. Although this technique is economical in most situations, it has a number of drawbacks.
- High water consumption. This is due in particular to high evaporation in summer and wind drift.
- Lack of uniformity of humidity on the surface. This anomaly is often due to incorrect positioning of cannons or underestimation of networks and overpressure.
- High energy costs. The flow rates and pressures required to operate a quarry sprinkler system require the installation of energy-intensive booster systems.
A sub-irrigation on a sealed basin
Several types of subirrigation are available. All solutions are based on the use of a watertight watertight basin filled with sand, into which saturated water is pumped via a reflux system, followed by a re-suction flow (pool). (swimming pool). This is a major investment, but one that is well-suited to the creation of new soils.
Sub-irrigation uses a sealing system system on which is installed a drain or mini-drain. Water is supplied by a backflow system. The sand-filled sealed basin filled with sand is saturated with waters drained to obtain l'hygrometry. A subirrigation valve controls the water level in the sealed zone.
The main disadvantage of this technique is the need to sealing the work surface. To ensure a perfect seal, most companies use PE or PVC geomembrane with a minimum thickness of 1 mm.
Another major drawback is the need for total flatness. To ensure proper water distribution on the surface, no slope can be tolerated.
This solution therefore requires perfect drainage to avoid any accumulation of water on the surface, and is highly unsuitable for the renovation of existing quarries, which are often built with a 1% slope.
A irrigation drip irrigation without rainwater harvesting
A final technique that is currently underdeveloped is the drip system. Despite its effectiveness, it is rarely proposed because the solutions on the market do not optimally meet needs.
The proposed solutions require the installation of rigid PVC or polyester slabs. They are therefore unsuitable for quarries, as they are difficult to install. These solutions are best suited to riding arenas and small surfaces. They do not allow rainwater to be collected.
EQUISIolution EQUISI combining drainage and optimal irrigation
EQUISI is based on a sub-irrigation system that uses a special drainage and irrigation mat for sandy soils in quarries and riding arenas. This mat enables precise management of soil moisture, ensuring optimum comfort for horses while preserving the very structure of the soil.
The innovation lies in the fact that the EQUISI system does not require the soil to be completely watertight, enabling fine regulation of humidity without compromising soil permeability or surrounding biodiversity. What's more, unlike traditional sprinkler or sub-irrigation systems, EQUISI uses a self-regulating drip system, enabling precise water distribution and reducing evaporation losses.
EQUISI is deployed in equestrian facilities in several stages, including quarry earthworks, laying the EQUISI drainage and irrigation layer, setting up the water collection and supply network, and installing remote control and monitoring systems.
The advantages of using EQUISI are manifold:
- Significant reduction in water consumption compared to traditional systems.
- Preservation of soil quality and comfort for horses.
- Efficient use of water resources, including rainwater harvesting.
- Autonomous and remote management thanks to advanced supervision systems.
In conclusion, EQUISI represents a real breakthrough in water management for equestrian facilities. By combining technological innovation, environmental sustainability and economic efficiency, this solution not only ensures maximum water autonomy, but also contributes to the transition towards more environmentally-friendly equestrian practices.
To find out more about the EQUISI solution and help you design your project, contact us!
