Creating a horse arena From Scratch can seem daunting, but with the right tools, planning, and determination, it can be a rewarding project. This guide will walk you through the process we took of building our horse arena, covering everything from site preparation to the final touches.
Site Preparation
The first step in building our horse arena was site preparation. This involved clearing the area of any grass and about 6 inches of top soil to create a flat surface that crowns in the middle and slopes to the outer edge which will help drain rain water off the arena. Location within the topography is also important as we located our arena on the highest ground to keep it from flooding when it rained.
Using our small utility tractor with a box blade and ripper shanks, we were able to slowly but surely remove all of the excess dirt and use it to build up the grade around our new barn. A track loader would have been better and faster to use, but we used what we had. Our goal was to cut out a lot of dirt on one side where the ground was higher, allowing for proper drainage towards the lower side so it would dry out faster after a big rain. This is crucial because a well-draining arena will prevent water from pooling and creating an unsafe environment for riding horses.
Creating the Arena Shape
After clearing the area, we needed to define the shape of the arena. Initially, we planned for a rectangular space, measuring roughly 70 by 120 feet. However, after observing some test jumping, we realized we needed to make it a bit larger and round out the corners.
We expanded the arena size to 80 by 150 feet, which seems to be the minimum size needed for a small practice arena for jumping. A small practice arena this size would not accomodate a full jump course with multiple jumps in line, but is good enough to work on form and technique. Rounding the corners of the arena not only helps direct the horses in a more natural turn but it also allows for tighter grooming of the footing to the edge on those turns as we pull an arena drag around the perimeter.
Digging Deeper
With the shape defined, we decided to also dig it a bit deeper to create a foundation for the base layer and the footing. We used the backhoe on our Kubota tractor to excavate more dirt, ensuring that the arena would have enough depth to accommodate the necessary materials to hold in the footing.
This extra depth was essential to ensure that the sand and gravel layers would be contained and wouldn't wash away during heavy rains. Planning for drainage is key in any outdoor arena project.
Building the Base Layer
Once the arena was shaped and the ground prepared, we moved on to spreading the base layer. SInce this is a budget DIY personal practice arena, we did not dig any drainage trenches or use any type of membrane underlayment and it has performed well without this additional expensive precautionary measure.
We ordered five truckloads of crushed limestone grit for a total of 60 yards. We spread the grit evenly across the arena and used a ride on vibrating drum roller that we rented for the day to compact the limestone grit thoroughly to provide a solid base for the top layer of river sand. This compacted base layer provides stability and support of the footing. It also helps keep the top footing layer of river sand from getting slowly absorbed into the underlying clay and dirt and will help shed rain water easier before it absorbs into the clay and dirt which would cause soft spots of mud througout the arena.
Adding the Footing Layer
The next step was to add the footing layer. We sourced six truck loads of coarse river sand, which works well for horse arenas because it contains multipe sizes and shapes of sand and pebbles that allow for the footing to pack enough to provide a firm footing, but soft enough for the comfort and safety of the horse. With 108 tons of river sand delivered, we needed to spread it evenly across the packed limestone grit base layer.
Spreading the Footing
Carefully spreading the footing was critical. We had to be careful not to disturb the underlying grit with the agressive tread of the tractor tires while spreading the sand so I did my best not to drive the tractor directly on the crushed limestone grit base layer as I spread the sand. Our goal was to achieve a consistent 4" depth across the arena for optimal performance.
Achieving the right consistency in footing is essential. Too loose, and the horses can slip or trip and get injured; too packed hard, and it can also cause injuries. It’s a delicate balance!
Cost
The limestone grit base layer cost around $300 a truck load so for 5 truck loads it was $1500. The river sand cost $500 a truck load, so for 6 truck loads it cost $3,000. The rental fee for the drum roller was around $300. I also paid around $200 in Diesel fuel working the tractor moving all of that material.
Base Layer: $1500
Footing Layer: $3000
Drum Roller Rental: $300
Diesel Fuel: $200
Total Cost to DIY the Arena Footing: $5,000
After all the hard work, seeing the arena come together was incredibly satisfying. As a finishing touch, we ensured that the arena was integrated with proper drainage systems to facilitate water runoff at the lowest point. This involved creating a small gavel path that connected the arena to the gravel parking area by the barn, allowing for easy maintenance access for the tractor or side by side.
Conclusion
Building a DIY horse arena is a significant undertaking, but with careful planning and execution, it can be a valuable addition to your equestrian property. Whether you’re training competitively or just enjoying some leisure riding, having a dedicated safe space for your horses can enhance their performance and your experience.
Be sure to check out our other DIY Horse Arena projects:
Arena Fencing, Concrete Piers for Light Poles, and Making DIY Steel Light Poles
For more tips and to follow our journey in building our small horse ranch, check out our YouTube channel.
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