Horse arena

Scholsey

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Herefordshire
Anybody built a small arena in a corner of a field? Isn’t commercial, just for family use

Did you apply for planning?

is there a change of use etc procedure to follow?

any rough ideas of cost of surface etc?
 
Last edited:

flowerpot

Member
You will need planning, it is engineering work. There are plenty of guides around on how to build one. McVeigh Parker sell kits, drain pipes, membrane, fencing. You add the sand, stone and top surface. Do it correctly the first time or it will never be successful and either be too deep, too wet, too dusty and you will end up taking it all up and doing it again.

20 x 40 is the size of a dressage arena for small competitions, so no, that isn't really large enough, its the absolute minimum.

Drainage is indeed the most vital thing. Also consider the top surface and what it will be used for - just schooling or jumping. Obviously a home use one is going to have a lot less use than a riding school or competition venue.
 

scottrac

Member
Location
lincolnshire
Drainage and make sure you use the right sand and topping
Built the wife a 40x40 5 years ago and its the driest part of my land and still looks new.
Also be careful with the planning
the only clause on mine is that i cant use it for business, only the pleasure of the owner is how they put it but then gave me a business rates bill just for the menage!!!! Go figure :banghead:
 

zero

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Yorkshire coast
Use the perforated drain pipe with the textile sock on it to help stop the pipes silting up.
If it's going to be heavily used it wants a proper job doing but i have seen farmer fixed ones work ok, and then returned to the field when family outgrow horses.
 

Ukjay

Member
Location
Wales!
This 40 x 20 cost us £40k start to finish all in:

IMG_20181107_072724.jpg


IMG_20181104_155834.jpg


We didn't go cheap builders rubble or sandstone base drainage, we went double wishbone and then added 6" of clean 40mm granite, topped with pre mixed sand / fibre as it had to function, and over speckled fencing so it lasted.
The one we ripped out was done on the cheap, and it was shocking and became unusable.

Sadly inherited another pile of shite that has to come out and start again..

At the end of the day, it all comes down to what headache you want..
 
This 40 x 20 cost us £40k start to finish all in:

IMG_20181107_072724.jpg


IMG_20181104_155834.jpg


We didn't go cheap builders rubble or sandstone base drainage, we went double wishbone and then added 6" of clean 40mm granite, topped with pre mixed sand / fibre as it had to function, and over speckled fencing so it lasted.
The one we ripped out was done on the cheap, and it was shocking and became unusable.

Sadly inherited another pile of shite that has to come out and start again..

Cripes man, you could just sell the view for that alone!!
 

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