Planning your horse arena can be a daunting task. You want to make sure that you have all of the necessary elements in place for a safe and functional riding space. In this article, we will discuss some of the most important things to consider when planning and building an arena, as well as what to avoid.

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Location & Size of Arena

The location and size of your arena are two key factors that you will need to consider when planning for it. You will want to ensure that you have sufficient space for the arena, both in terms of its width and length, as well as having enough room around it for safety reasons. Additionally, you may also want to take into account any natural features on or around the land such as slopes, ponds, or trees which could affect your plans.  

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Surface & Design

The surface of your arena is another essential element that should not be overlooked. There are a number of different options available including sand, rubber chips, dirt, turf, German Geo Textile (GGT Footing), or a combination of these materials depending on what you intend to use the arena for most frequently. Whichever material you choose drainage is extremely important so that water does not pool in any area causing potential safety hazards. Additionally, design elements such as jumps and obstacles should also be taken into consideration when designing your arena layout.

Lighting & Safety

When choosing lighting options for your horse arena it is important to remember that adequate lighting is key for both rider visibility and safety. Strategically placed lights will help riders gauge distances more accurately while minimizing glare in order to maximize visibility. Additionally, if you plan on using the arena at night or during low light conditions then lights should cover at least 60% of the total area with 20-30 *footcandles being sufficient for most applications. Finally, make sure that all electrical wiring is properly installed so there are no potential safety hazards from exposed wires or cables.

*A footcandle is a non-SI unit of illuminance or light intensity. The footcandle is defined as one lumen per square foot

Alternative Uses:

For those looking for additional uses out of their arenas aside from riding horses, there are many other activities such as hosting events or shows which may require additional features like seating areas or stands depending on your needs. If this is something you would like to pursue then make sure this factor is taken into account when planning out the design and layout of your horse arena so everything runs smoothly during events or shows held at your facility.  

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Building an outdoor horse arena can be a complex process involving various elements such as location selection, surface type selection, lighting installation, drainage considerations, etc., but if done correctly it can provide riders with a safe and enjoyable experience year-round regardless of weather conditions!

When planning out your horse arena keep in mind factors such as size/location/surface type/lighting/safety/alternative uses so that you can get maximum use out of it while minimizing potential risks associated with riding horses outdoors!

At Longwood Arenas, we are here to help you make your arena dreams come true. We go through all the details to make sure you get the best arena possible for your needs! There is no such thing as one size fits all, anyone who tries to tell you that doesn't know what they are talking about! Give us a call today or fill out a free, no-obligations quote request and we will call you back and start making your dream arena come true.

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