If you’re looking to build a DIY horse arena on a budget, then look no further. Whatever size you are thinking of, it can be done.
A horse arena is very likely going to be the largest investment you make when owning a horse. Whilst 20×40 is generally considered to be the smallest size possible, don’t worry if you don’t have the land to accommodate this. Your arena can be any size you wish, as long as you follow a few basic rules.
You may dream of a ménage of Olympic proportions, but for most people this is simply not possible. So, what is the smallest useable DIY horse arena on a budget?
Small Horse Arena Size
Look at the land you have available. Find an area that is reasonably flat and level, and that has the potential to drain well.
Although you can alter the lay of the land, and the drainage capabilities, this will increase the amount of money and hard work that is required.
If you’re building a horse arena on a budget UK, then the smallest arena size is normally considered to be 20m x 40m. However, if your space is far less than this, you can still make a useable arena.
My winter turnout area doubles as an arena in the poor, wet, weather. It is only 22m x 12m absolute maximum, mostly the 12m is 10m, and less in some places. I can successfully lunge and even ride in this space, although I haven’t tried to jump!
It helps that my ponies are under 13.2hh, but having said that, my friend has cantered her 15.1hh around the arena without a problem.
The small space actually helps with bending and balance, the horse has to work hard in such a small space. Although I wouldn’t suggest this as a perfect arena size, in the winter, when the ground is simply too boggy to ride in, this arena has been worth its weight in gold.
DIY Outdoor Horse Arena
Even if you are planning to build a budget horse arena, make sure that you follow the basic principles, especially regarding drainage provision. Your arena will be no use if it floods and puddles even in light rain. A small outdoor arena horse exercising area will enable you to keep your horse in work even throughout the worst of weathers.
How To Build A Horse Arena On A Budget: 10 Steps
Professionally designed and constructed horse arenas are very expensive. If you can source the materials yourself, and are willing to learn new skills, and put in a large amount of effort, then you can build your own without too much trouble.
Horse arena ideas for small spaces seem to be in short supply on the internet, but this is how I built my 22m x 10m arena:
- Clear & Mark out your arena – Work out where you want your arena to be and use poles and tape to mark this area out. Try to choose a well-draining area that is level.
- Wood – Treat all the posts and retaining boards to make them weatherproof. If you do this at this point or before, then you won’t loose momentum later.
- Level – If your space isn’t already level, then use a digger to flatten the area. Try to use the humps to fill in any depressed areas.
- Drainage – This is probably the most important part of your arena build. If you don’t get the drainage right your arena won’t work and you’ll have to start all over again. Dig your trenches in a herringbone pattern to a depth of approx 750mm and line with terram. Fill the bottom with pea gravel and then lay out the perforated pipe and connect at the junctions. Cover the pipes with more pea gravel and wrap the terram over the top to prevent fines (dirt/soil/sand) from entering the pipes.
- Fencing – Install your fencing posts and rails if your budget allows. If you need to use tape instead of rails, then simply add the posts at this point. Place the retaining boards around your arena, screwing them to the posts. You’ll probably need at least two rows of boards, so don’t skimp as these can be picked up relatively cheaply, especially if you’re willing to treat them yourself.
- Terram – Cover the entire area with terram and join the sheets together with your chosen method; tape, stitching, heat sealing.
- Stone – Using 40mm down clean Type 1 cover the entire area to a depth of 150mm minimum.
- Roll – Whilst most of the works can be undertaken by hand, trench digging, pipe laying, stone laying etc. Rolling is best accomplished by using a mechanical roller. Roll until the stone is even and no jagged edges occur. Try not to over-roll, as this will compact the stone too much and reduce the drainage capacity.
- Terram – Cover the area again with terram and join.
- Surface – Lay out your chosen surface, remember to lay from the entrance back, so that you roll the plant or wheelbarrow across the new surface rather than the membrane itself.
The depth of the surface will depend upon the surface you choose. If using sand, then start with 2.5” and roll to compact. Try this depth and then add as required. Always look at adding more as this is easier to accomplish than having to remove surface that you have already laid.
If the arena below I used sand covered with shredded carpet. I’ve found this to be a wonderful surface. The sand provides a stable and firm base with a small amount of ‘give’ and the carpet helps the sand to retain moisture and provide grip and ‘bounce’.
It helps to be able to roll your surface once it’s laid, but if this isn’t possible, allow the surface to consolidate naturally. Surfaces generally improve after being rained on, especially sand, so don’t worry if the sand rides deep at the beginning.
Should You Ride In A Small Arena
If you’re wondering how big should a horse arena be, then consider if your arena is smaller than the size that you would normally lunge in. If so, then you should take care not to overuse it. A small arena, whilst very useful, means that there is the potential to put more strain on your horses muscles and back.
It’s a balancing act, trying to keep your horse fit and able, whilst not causing avoidable injuries through too many sharp turns and loops.
Small Horse Arena Plans And Costings
If you plan to build your own arena, then it’s good to know about costings. The arena shown in the photos cost under <£3k to install. If I’d managed to source the all of the surface second hand the price would have been considerably lower. This is why if you’re on a budget it’s a good idea to buy the surface you want when you see it. Rather than hope that there will be some available when you’re ready to install it.
Don’t worry if your arena isn’t exactly rectangular, or if like me you have a tree stump growing in the middle! I covered over the stump and use it as a mounting block, and also lean poles against it as trotting poles.
There is no insurmountable problem, just a challenge to be overcome with a little thought and imagination.
Horse Arena Ideas On A Budget
To keep costs down, I used terram 1000 rather than the higher strength terram which is often recommended for arenas. I also tried to use second hand surface, but unfortunately couldn’t get hold of enough for the entire arena and ended up having to buy 20 tonne of silica sand to make it work. This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing though as I was able to use the left over sand to make a pathway to the arena. This will make getting to the arena less boggy in the long term.
The main cost I found was the stone that was needed. In part this was because I wasn’t able to level the ground as much as I’d like owing to the amount of tree roots and lack of machinery.
What Size School Is Best
Install the biggest arena that you have the space and money to build. That way you can do more, and varied, exercises. My arena is far smaller than normal, but for my ponies it allows me to exercise them over winter without the fear of them slipping in wet mud and getting injured.
DIY Horse Arena Lighting
Solar lighting can work wonderfully for arena lighting. If you want to install permanent flood lights, you may need planning permission. Using moveable solar lights means that you can generally use these without restrictions. I have this on order, so I’ll let you know how it works!
Conclusion
If you can build an arena then it is a wonderful opportunity to give you somewhere to ride and exercise in poor weather. It can also be used as an additional mud free turnout area if required. Whilst a 20mx40m school is usually the recommended size, there is nothing to say that you cannot build a much smaller arena. Indeed, something is better than nothing in my opinion.
