Cheap way to build a riding arena?

Question

Because the fields are so wet here in winter (and in summer too sometimes!) I don't get to jump and canter very often in the bad weather, which is a lot of the time. We've been thinking about putting in a small arena but we're on a tight budget...

What size would it need to be to walk, trot, canter and have one or two jumps? (in metres)

What would be the cheapest thing to use; sand, gravel, tyres or anything else?

We were planning on using fine gravel, because my pony club arena is gravel and it never seems to get too wet, but when i rode in a sand arena during wet weather at a competition once, it was almost as bad as the field! and the cut up tyres in the arena at my old riding school get very wet too!

What's the cheapest an arena could be?

Answer 1

We built ours from cheap fence posts and rails from a local farmer, then we went to the sawmill and they will give you truck loads of wood chippings for free. Size 20 x 40m is a good size to be able to do what you want but if you can go a little bigger then it's worth it.

Answer 2

You could probably get by with a 70 foot round pen. The problem in cost with arenas is the footing. What you put on the ground is most important. Drainage also has to be considered. The build up of the ground to support the riding surface and the top soil used is what really costs the money. If you don't do this you will have nothing more than a closed in pasture and won't be much better than outside and maybe worse. You can use a metal building to enclose it and they are way less than other forms of construction. The cheapest I've heard for a decent enclosed riding arena is about $30,000

Answer 3

Hey,

For the weather situation i would go with stone dust. It is pretty cheap if you buy it in a big load(which you will have to).

For around the ousdie you can get cheap wood if you can find some or you can use those cheap strap things people use for pastures.

good luck!

Answer 4

rubber crumb and red sand. That's what we use, the crumb (make sure it's crumb NOT the kind with strings left in it from tires) keeps the sand (or other base you choose) loose and not too slippery.

However a covered arena is really the only way to avoid wet footing.  

Answer 5

I have literally just today finished my arena we did most of the labour our selfs which cut the costs, its 20m by 40m with sand and rubber..it cost us £20,000.

As long as the arena has good drainage (those other arenas you mensioned ovibously didnt) what ever substrate you use will be fine..sand is fine as long as you get the right one, pit and holme sand are the most common but i cant remember which one is more heavyer..a nice size for you would be any thing from 20mX40m...or 15mX35..any smaller and i think you'll be pushing it for space. its still gunna cost you at least £10,000..the wood alloan cost from £1500. and sand depending and how much is £20 a tonne..u'll need about around 200 tonne of that!

Answer 6

A small basic arena might cost £10,000 and a bigger arena might cost 15,000 sometimes its just worth that extra for a bigger one that you wil be able to put more jumps in etc then it will have more use, and you could think about renting it out for riding lessons and you can make a profit that will pay for itself!

the fitting is very expensive and you have to sort out drainage and making sure the ground is flat and suitable and in that bad weather are you going to want to ride in an arena, if its that wet then you could get a barn roof then you wouldn't need the drainage and you wouldn't get so wet, you don't necessarily need the barn walls.

If your going cheap then you have to think about the maintanance i.e if you get cheap wood then it might not last so long, if you get the barn roof then it will also save the maintanance as the rain won't rot the wood so much and if you don't need to think about drainage then you can save on surfaces as you won't need to think about how easily it drains etc. so it might be cheaper and more people might want to rent it if its sheltered if that what you decide!

get some quotes on wood and surfaces and see how cheaply you can get them first and look at different fencing some might need less wood and nails than the next one, I suggest looking on the internet

and see people that specialise in making arenas as they might have special offers or discounts if you ......!

look and see whats on the market!

sorry i couldn't be more specific but i don't no your budget!!!

*good luck*