There are many common mistakes people make when building a horse arena. These mistakes can be extremely costly if remediation work is needed. The best way to avoid problems is to use the services of a professional building company and spend enough time at the planning stage. Let’s take a look at the most common mistakes when building an equestrian arena, so you can avoid them.
1. Using the Wrong Location
Drainage is one of the most important aspects of horse arena construction. The location needs to be chosen with extreme care, to ensure adequate drainage. Firstly, check out the type of soil in the area you plan to build. Is it a heavy soil type or is it sandy and light? The type of soil determines how easy it will be to drain water away from the arena. Consider building the arena on a high point of land, that helps with the natural drainage process.
2.Installing Inadequate Drainage Solutions
After deciding on a decent location, drainage solutions need to be chosen that are fit for purpose. A rule of thumb is one drain inside the school and one on all sides at the perimeter. If the ground is made from heavy clay, extra drains are needed and the size of the perimeter drains should be increased.
3.Building with Unsuitable Materials
The type of materials available nearby differ between regions. If you choose raw materials that need to be trucked in from miles away, this can end up costing more than the materials themselves. Your chosen building contractors will be able to advise on the best materials for the job and how to keep costs down using what is available locally.
4.Building in the Wrong Conditions
Building in a dry period like the summer is preferable to the potentially wet months. If working with clay, this needs to be managed carefully. Clay leave happens when under pressure and wet, which can cause ‘’bubble up’’. If this happens, remedial work is required which can be costly.
5.Using the Wrong Arena Layer
The top layer for your new equestrian arena needs to be chosen with care. Get it wrong and the layer may be too abrasive on the horse’s hooves among other things. Ask yourself what your goals are for the top layer. Do you want a harder finish or a cushioned layer? And what’s the weather like in your area?
If you have frequent windy weather, you don’t want to risk fine particles blowing away. Plus, if the weather is wet, fine particles run the risk of absorbing a lot of water turning the arena into a bog. Talk with nearby local arena owners to see what performs well.
Contact AGS Commercial for horse arena construction and shed installation throughout the Northern Rivers.
