When you own horses, having a safe area for them to train and exercise in is extremely important for their health and wellbeing. However, when building an equestrian arena, there are a lot of things that you must consider:
Planning Permission
One of the first things you need to consider is whether you will even be allowed to construct an equestrian arena. You are required to get planning permission for any permanent equestrian construction whether this may be stables or an arena. So make sure you do this well in advance because you don’t know how long the process may take.
Another tip is checking with your neighbours first too, this will make the process a whole lot smoother if you are aware of any objections beforehand. This allows you to work together to come to an agreement, rather than bringing the local council into it.
Location
Another important thing to consider is the location of the arena itself. During construction, you need to ensure that it is located in an area that delivery vehicles and machinery can access easily. When the area is difficult to get to, you may have to get materials delivered on articulated vehicles which can be a lot more expensive.
You also need to prepare for any problems that could occur after construction, like transporting the horses into the stables. You want the distance between the stables and arena to be as short as possible. Make sure you think about where the entry gate is too, if the entrance is on the opposite side of the arena, to the one near the stables, you will have to travel a lot further.
Another problem could develop because of the trees surrounding the arena. If there are trees that are growing close, a lot of their leaves will fall in, which then results in the area being contaminated. In the winter, it will also take longer for the ground to thaw because of the shade from the trees.
Weather
Even though, when the arena is finished it should be suitable for all-weather, If you are looking for a quick and straight forward construction then having it installed in summer is your best bet. One thing to make sure of during installation is how flat the surface is, the more level the surface, the less work you will have to do in the long run. If there is a lot of rain, the area could get flooded if the ground isn’t flat, making it unusable for the time being.
Size
The size really depends on what you are using it for, whether it’s for novice training, advanced training or showjumping. However, it is always a good idea to get the biggest arena that your budget allows, without compromising on the quality of construction or materials.
Get In Touch
If you are interested in having an equestrian arena installed then contact Chris Longmore on 01384 440057 to have any of your questions answered or to receive a quote.
