Our EQUISI sub-irrigation solution for quarries and riding arenas
Innovation to control the sub-irrigation of your equestrian surfaces
- How to ensure maximum water autonomy for equestrian facilities
When it comes to equestrian structures, guaranteeing maximum water autonomy is now possible thanks to the EQUISI innovation developed by OdysséeLab. This revolutionary sub-irrigation solution, patented and manufactured in France, is based on the use of a drainage and irrigation layer specially designed for quarries and riding arenas, particularly in sandy environments.
Equestrian facilities face major water management challenges. Summer droughts and water restrictions can have a significant impact on l'activityleading to financial losses and limiting the use of infrastructure.
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, improving the well-being of horses and environmental impact.
Rainwater harvesting
1.1% slope
2. EQUISI
3.lift pump
4.water reserve
5.pump
Subirrigation
1.1% slope
2. EQUISI
3.lift pump
4.water reserve
5.pump
Zoom EQUISI
EQUISI tablecloth
1.sealing film
2. retention layer: light grey
3. filtration layer : dark grey
4.drip irrigation
5.drains
6.working sand
- What's the point of EQUISI, a subirrigation system for draining and irrigating equestrian soils?
High-quality sand with uniform, controlled moisture content
What's the point of managing sand watering for horses?
From an animal welfare point of view, sand that has been watered too much becomes too hard. : iIt closes too quickly, especially if it's a fine-grained microsand. Your sand needs water, but not too much, so as not to weaken horses and ponies during work.
Conversely, sand insufficiently moistened sand becomes porous. It unravels, holes are formed, it opens up under the horses' feet and also presents a risk to their joints.
Read our article: How and why to optimize the watering of your equestrian surfaces
Our innovative EQUISI sub-irrigation solution enables fine regulation on all surfaces.
Our innovation does not require total waterproofing of the ground, but is positioned on top of existing floors.
As the environment is not completely watertight, rainwater is returned to the plot of land. unlike existing solutions.
Rapid drainage for safe use of the riding surface
The product's integrated drainage system has a dual purpose. It enables rapid drainage of the work surface in the event of heavy rain, and collects a significant portion to store it for reuse.
Rapid drainage is enhanced by the quarry's 1% slope, which favours surface drainage.
Efficient, optimized watering
Unlike current solutions solutions on the marketwe use a self-regulating drip system. This means we can manage the water supply down to the last detail, as each m² of surface area distributes 6 l/m² of water per hour.
As the drippers are positioned under the sand, evaporation losses are limited.
Water supply can be automated and controlled by sensors.
Irrigation automation can be adaptive. In this way, control can be fine-tuned according to weather conditions, in an automated way.
What are the steps involved?
EQUISI sub-irrigation systems are generally installed on quarries with a 1% slope. It is therefore particularly suitable for renovation of existing quarries.
From a technical point of view, installation is simplified because EQUISI comes in rolls of 120 m². (60 m x 2 m) to be joined together.
There are 4 stages to the set-up:
- Excavation of the quarry by a company specializing in equestrian surfaces
- Installation of EQUISI tablecloth in accordance with the layout.
- Laying the water network, water storage and pumping/filtration
- Installation of water supervision and control systems
1. Earthworks
Earthworks are an essential part of quarry design. Proper earthwork ensures the quarry's stability, thus avoiding any risk of collapse, which could be damaging and cause accidents.
Good earthwork design must also allow for good drainage of excess water to the lower soil layers.
2. Installation of water collection and supply network (Flux - Reflux)
2.1 Water supply (backflow)
The first step is to set up the distribution network. It consists of a main network to supply water, for example in t50 polyethylene pipe.
This network is then divided into manholes, each supplying a different area of the quarry. These manholes generally comprise a manual valve, a solenoid valve controlled by a programmer, and a meter with a transmitter head.
This process controls the flow of water injected into the quarry. Each meter is linked to the programmer, providing a real-time warning of any over- or under-flow.
Each programmer is associated with a sensor that monitors and controls the water supply.
2.2 Water recovery (flow)
The second step is to install the collection and discharge network. Excess water is collected by the EQUISI system, for example with 160 mm PVC.
This network is located on the periphery of the quarry. Its purpose is to collect flows to a lifting station.
A lifting station is positioned at the end of the network to collect and evacuate excess water under pressure to the storage tank.
We recommend fitting the lift station with a connected trend propeller meter, which provides real-time information on the volume of water discharged by the quarry.
3. Laying the EQUISI tablecloth
Third stage: installation of the EQUISI water table, fitted with drains and drip irrigation pipes. This stage is essential. The mat must be unrolled and adjusted to the dimensions of the quarry. It can be cut to length and width.
The tablecloths are designed for easy overlapping. You can place a second sheet on top of the first. We recommend an overlap of 10-15 cm, respecting the layout (alternating drains and drips). The weight of the sand will hold the two layers in position.
The drip system is then connected to the backflow system to the backflow system by means of clamps installed on the secondary pipe.
The mini-drains are connected to the PVC drainage pipes by Quick Connect joints.
4. Sand placement
The sand is generally installed 10 cm in advance. The sand is unloaded at the quarry entrance and spread out as it goes along. The machines gradually advance until the quarry is filled with sand.
Once the quarry has been recharged, the sand is rammed and levelled.
5. Control station installation and monitoring
We recommend installing a connected control station with remote management. Equipped with a SIM card, it enables remote management of all control devices, cto record day by day, to manage irrigation efficiently.Irrigation times and humidity thresholds can beadjusted to obtain the desired results.
Sub-irrigation with EQUISI allows you to for to respond to the need for reasoned, resilient and water management for structures on sandy soils, avec significant economic gains and a positive water/nature balance (soil permeability, rainwater use vs. drilling). Combined with water storage and flow/flow monitoring equipment, the system can be autonomous and managed remotely.
A French innovation adapted for sports surfaces such as riding arenas and racecourses.
our latest EQUISI news
Ecological and Energy Transition Open
"Sharing projects to discover solutions and innovations". We participated in the Open de la Transition Ecologique et Energétique organised by Bretagne Compétitivité with the Brittany Region, the CCI
Which solutions for watering your equestrian surfaces?
Equestrian facilities face major challenges in terms of water management, not least because of the economic, environmental and societal stakes involved. Droughts
