Building or renovating a horse riding arena is no small task. It is a significant project in terms of scope and scale, which requires investment and a lot of time and planning.
At horseridingarena.co.uk, we know that arenas are used for various purposes. From training to teaching, exercising, as well as competitions and shows. So, we understand the importance of getting your arena just right.
That’s why we work with you across every stage of planning, design, and construction so you get the best outcome. Our comprehensive horse arena construction services cover everything from initial site assessment to final surface installation, ensuring your project succeeds.
In this post, we look at equestrian riding arenas in more detail and discuss points to consider before and during construction.
Horse arena construction
There are two types of horse riding arenas: indoor and outdoor. If you’re unsure which option suits your facility best, our guide on choosing between indoor and outdoor arenas provides detailed comparisons to help you make the right decision.
An indoor arena construction will be the best option if you require your arena all year round. Protected from the elements and all-weather conditions, you can access horse riding facilities 365 days a year.
However, with indoor arenas, you may be subject to increased property rates, and they can often be more costly than the construction of outdoor arenas.
Points to consider when constructing an indoor equine arena:
- Surface finish can be more limited when building for indoor use, so consider what the arena will primarily be used for.
- Think about size and structure. What height do you require, type of fencing to secure the arena, do you need additional stands for spectators, etc?
- Energy consumption will increase as additional lighting, heating, cooling, and irrigation systems are in place – these should all be carefully built into your budgets.
To construct an outdoor horse riding arena, you need to plan this structure to be prepared to face the elements.
Points to consider include:
- What are the access requirements to the site? Can lorries and potential machinery reach the areas ready for excavation? What is the condition of the ground to build on? Do you have access to a reliable source of water? Power? Mains etc?
- What is the climate you will be riding in? This is vitally important as certain surfaces are better suited to certain climate conditions than others.
- Again, think about size and structure. What height do you require, type of fencing to secure the arena, do you need additional stands for spectators, will you require flood lights etc?
Then comes the construction part.
What will you need
First, you won’t be able to start any construction without the appropriate planning permission from your local authority.
This means having precise drawings outlined and submitted for approval before breaking ground.
Drawings must include all sizes; on average, dressage arenas are typically around 40m by 20m. For a more advanced arena, this size could increase to around 60m by 20m. If the arena is primarily used for showjumping, a size of 60m by 35m would be suitable.
Once you have the size of the arena outlined, we would advise you to build additional space around the arena into your plans. This could be for various uses, and it is always worth talking this through with your construction team.
Once your planning has been approved, your team can get to work, and construction of the horse riding arena will cover the following:
Site assessment. Think about site access, building on safe ground, and ensuring the site is level.
To create a stable foundation, you must excavate the area, separating the subbase from the underlying soil.
Note: Don’t build arenas straight onto topsoil; it will make the arena prone to waterlogging and offer poor load-bearing capabilities.
Obtaining and putting in place the right drainage solutions. Ideally, building on high ground to offer suitable and better draining. A popular drainage pattern is the herringbone pattern, where the main pipe is placed in the middle of the arena floor with spurs running off at angles.
Think about ventilation systems and roof insulation. Are you looking into skylights, natural or artificial lights?
Note: Make sure to work with professional teams to clear any power and gas lines from the site that might pose a problem.
Framing – are you opting for a wood-framed arena or metal? Metal is often preferred due to its ability to withstand weather conditions, offering longevity and strength.
Once the drainage is in place, cover the entire excavation with the membrane.
From here, install the base layer, which is made up of stone and gravel; your base layer helps to move water away from the surface.
Then you must lay the grid, which is essential to prevent the base layer from mixing and contaminating the final surface, securing the membrane to the gravel boards.
Once the grid is securely in place, add the riding surface. From dual stabiliser fibre (pulverised nylon and rubber fleck that offers stability and cushioning) to combi pro advanced fibre (nylon, rubber, and synthetic fibres that can provide great traction and shock absorption).
Silica sand is then placed down, which is fine and free-flowing.
The surface should then be flattened into place using a vibrating roller.
We cannot stress enough how important it is to invest in the right materials and work with experienced professionals during the construction process in order to create a safe, durable, and high-performing arena.
Horse Riding Construction
We take pride in providing a quality service that you can trust. Helping you with planning, design, and construction we use our experience and knowledge of the industry to ensure you get exactly what you require, all to a very high standard.
Accurate and efficient, we provide you with a long-lasting equestrian arena you can be proud of.