Whether you’re building an arena from scratch or simply maintaining your current arena, there are several things to consider when it comes to not only the final look and feel of your area but the impact it will have on yours and your horse’s safety.

To give you a better idea, let’s dive into the make up of your arena. Your arena consists of layers, all of which come together to create a safe and supportive ride for you and your horse. When put together correctly, you can rest assured that you have the right support for your horse to work perfectly however, there are of course different factors that can affect your arena. These factors include geographic location, materials you’ve used as well as whether your arena is indoor or outdoor.

Geographic location of your arena is hugely important as it affects not only the footing that your arena will be on but the base and of course the drainage. You’ll also need to consider temperature and weather as well as soil type as these will all play a part in deciding how your arena will be constructed. Wet clay based soil for example could mean drainage issues that will need considering during planning and construction. 

Making sure you have everything you need to not only build your arena properly but maintain it correctly will go a very long way in providing a safe schooling space. That means prevention of injuries for you and your horse. 

But what happens if you don’t have everything you need? What happens if steps have been skipped during construction or maintenance is below par? Today we’re looking at potential arena hazards that you need to avoid. 

Faulty Arena Base

Your arena base is the very foundation of your arena, literally. And if not prepped and installed correctly will impact your riding surface hugely. For example, without the correct base for the soil in your area, you could find your arena shifting (dry sandy soil) whenever it’s under weight and pressure i.e. being ridden on or harrowed. This would provide an unstable footing for your horse and ultimately lead to injury. You could also experience compaction and puddling (wet clay-like soil) ultimately leading again to injury as well as serious drainage issues. 

Here at Foley’s Equestrian Surfaces, we provide a range of Grade A Recycled Sands and Stones and can advise on the best aggregates for you and your particular soil base. Enquire today for more information via sales@foleysequestrian.co.uk. 

Poor Surface

There are so many different factors that can affect your horse when it comes to the actual surface. Does it ride too deep, too shallow, is it too hard? The right surface is essential when it comes to reducing impact and injury and allowing you and your horse to ride in comfort. Here at Foley’s Equestrian Surfaces, we provide a range of surfaces that are not only frost resistant but wind resistant, all of which offer incredible support for all disciplines, including heavy jumping. 

You can find more information on our surfaces right here.

Contact Us Today

If you’d like more information on our surfaces or our recycled aggregates, or even advice with arena construction from the beginning, please don’t hesitate to contact the team today.