Questions (For answers, scroll down or click on question)

Can you please give me the pros and cons of grass footing in a riding arena compared to sand? Also, what kind of upkeep does it take?

What recipe do you have for good indoor footing in a 120' x 60' arena? Presently, we have sand, and we water it to keep down the dust. Do you recommend adding shavings and oil? If so, what kind of oil and what proportions?

What would you recommend, base and top layer, of economical footing for a 60 x 120 indoor arena in Michigan?

I have built a 60 foot round pen in the middle of southeast Missouri bottom land and want to prepare the footing in it for training.  It is currently uneven pasture with an approximate 8 inch slope.  How can I make it comfortable and safe for my training?  Will I need to think about drainage conduits?

I am planning to put up an arena that measures 55' x 125' to use as a temporary paddock for an Arabian and as an arena.   Will this be large enough?

We are rehabbing an old 3 stall barn which currently has dirt stall floors.  We are leaning towards a chat base (limestone) with a top dressing of screenings and then bedding.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Is there a book or articles on actual construction of a round pen available to be used as guidelines?

I am planning to put up 3 board oak fencing on an outdoor riding arena.  The arena is 75x150 feet.  We currently ride dressage and just plain pleasure.  Thinking toward the future, would this arena size be large enough to accommodate jumping?

How far apart should the poles be in fencing?

What would you consider the best options for brightly lighting a 160 ft. x 80 ft. oudoor riding arena?

What would be the best specifications to build a round pen? Material, size, height, and footing?

What do you advise for the minimum stall size, including ceiling height for an 18 H horse who is fairly active?  Can you refer me to a catalog resource of building plans? We are considering building a 24x40 barn with stalls for two horses, tack room, and hay storage.

How many tons of sand is required to provide good footing coverage for a 160' x 80' outdoor riding arena?

Do you have the names of any companies that supply synthetic oil for application on arenas to reduce dust?

What are the footing specifications (type, depth of materials) for building a riding arena? Do you recommend any books or articles on this subject?

What is the best design and size for a riding area (ring)? I have a gaited horse that canters fast.

I have purchased a used fiberglass and aluminum horse trailer that needs cleaned. What is the best way to do this? There is no acid wash available.

I am interested in building an indoor or covered arena and have been unable to locate any information on builders and cost other than a company named Coverall and I would like to view some other companies. Any suggestions?

Questions and Answers

Q: What would you recommend, base and top layer, of economical footing for a 60 x 120 indoor arena in Michigan?

A: There are many factors to take into account.  In our area of Maryland, we have a stone dust or limestone base.  The limestone is local, so we do not have trucking expenses.  Depending on riding purpose -- jumping, dressage, etc.-- the top layer will vary.  Our arenas are a mix of limestone, sand, and processed rubber (Perma-flex).  The top layer is about 2 - 2 1/2 inches deep.  With any footing you will be using, dust will be a maintenance factor.  We use a watering truck (1000 gallons) each week.  During the summer, we water twice a week.  I would strongly recommend you actually see the footing you decide on in advance of purchase.  There are so many different products.  

Q: I have built a 60 foot round pen in the middle of southeast Missouri bottom land and want to prepare the footing in it for training.  It is currently uneven pasture with an approximate 8 inch slope.  How can I make it comfortable and safe for my training?  Will I need to think about drainage conduits?

A: We have an outdoor arena that has plastic pipe with stone on top, then 8 inches of stone dust, and it drains very well.  If you have sandy soil, you may not need to worry.  For footing, we use either stone dust with rubber or sand with rubber.  The sand doesn't seem to be as dusty.  

Q: I am planning to put up an arena that measures 55' x 125' to use as a temporary paddock for an Arabian and as an arena.   Will this be large enough?  I have 10 acres that I will eventually fence in.

A: Certainly we must sacrifice space when necessary.   A standard full size dressage arena is 66' x 198'.  Your arena will only be 10' narrower.  This will be an issue but not a major problem.  

Q: We are rehabbing an old 3 stall barn which currently has dirt stall floors.  We are leaning towards a chat base (limestone) with a top dressing of screenings and then bedding.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.

A: You plan sounds very good.  You may want to consider some kind of drain.  We use french drains in the center of the stall that work very well, but need new stones in them about one time a year.  We also use rubber mats on top of stone dust with bedding on top. 

Q: Is there a book or articles on actual construction of a round pen available to be used as guidelines?

A: [Scott] There are no materials to my knowledge.  I have seen ads for round pens and suggest to contact one of these ads and ask for their dimensions.  I feel the diameter should not be smaller than 15 meters. 

Q: I am planning to put up 3 board oak fencing on an outdoor riding arena.  The arena is 75x150 feet.  We currently ride dressage and just plain pleasure.  Thinking toward the future, would this arena size be large enough to accommodate jumping?

A: [Scott] Yes, to some degree.  A small course and simple grid work would be fine.  To have a full course with large fences could get tight.   However, many people train in an arena this size and compete and do well. 

Q: How far apart should the poles be in fencing?

A: [Bryan] I would determine that by the length of your lumber.   We use 2x3 inch woven wire with a 2.x6x16' treated board on top.  In order to make this work, we put the posts on 8 foot centers so we can nail the board on the ends and the center. 

Q: What would you consider the best options for brightly lighting a 160 ft. x 80 ft. oudoor riding arena?

A: [Bryan] Use Metal Halide 400 watt lights, 2 per pole, 20 feet high.  You should have enought light if you put 2 per pole with 3 poles down each side of the arena and one pole at each end and have one or two lights on. 

Q: What would be the best specifications to build a round pen? Material, size, height, and footing?

A: [Bryan] It depends on what you are going to do in it.  Hilltop's round pen is only 48 feet across because we were limited on space where we put it.  If you are going to lunge in it and have the room, 60 feet across would be better.  Also, you may want to put your posts in at an angle so your foot or stirrup does not catch when riding.

Materials: Should be either 4x4 or 6x6 posts, 8 feet high with plywood from ground level up 4 feet with 3 2x6 boards on the top 4 feet.  You will need to put boards along the bottom 4 feet to nail your plywood to.  All materials are treated.

Footing: We use a mixture of stonedust, masonry sand, and rubber. 

Q: What do you advise for the minimum stall size, including ceiling height for an 18 H horse who is fairly active?  Can you refer me to a catalog resource of building plans? We are considering building a 24x40 barn with stalls for two horses, tack room, and hay storage.

A: The stalls in our barn are 12'x12'.  I recommend you read "Barns and Backbuildings" by Donald Berg, a great guide for planning a small barn.  You can order this book from Amazon Press through our Equerry Bookstore. 

Q: How many tons of sand is required to provide good footing coverage for a 160' x 80' outdoor riding arena?

A: Your local quarry should be able to help you out.  You will need 213.3 ton which is approximately 9 truck loads. 

Q: Do you have the names of any companies that supply synthetic oil for application on arenas to reduce dust?

A: The only experience we have with oil is that we tried soybean oil on our outdoor ring. We put double the amount on that was recommended, but it only lasted about 3 months and the smell was horrible. I do not recommend using oil. 

Q: What are the footing specifications (type, depth of materials) for building a riding arena? Do you recommend any books or articles on this subject?

A: There is an excellent article called, "On Sound Footing" in the August 99 issue of Practical Horseman. 

Q: What is the best design and size for a riding area (ring)? I have a gaited horse that canters fast.

A: Our riding arena is 80' x 22' with wood kickboards, but that is for a dressage facility working mainly with warmblood sporthorses. I am not familiar with the requirements for gaited horses and any special needs they may have. 

Q: I have purchased a used fiberglass and aluminum horse trailer that needs cleaned. What is the best way to do this? There is no acid wash available.

A: I recommend you contact a trailer builder.  One in our area that has been very helpful is Frank Dibella, 610-495-2270. 

Q: I am interested in building an indoor or covered arena and have been unable to locate any information on builders and cost other than a company named Coverall and I would like to view some other companies. Any suggestions?

A: Morton Builders is quite popular throughout the country. The builder we used at Hilltop Farm was a local company, Richard Risk Construction, 717-786-2372. Our architect was Elvin Engle in Bridgeport, PA. 

Q: What recipe do you have for good indoor footing in a 120' x 60' arena? Presently, we have sand, and we water it to keep down the dust. Do you recommend adding shavings and oil? If so, what kind of oil and what proportions?

A: There are many advantages and disadvantages to adding shavings and oil. We have a company with many different products and can explain more about them by phone. Just call Bryan or Scott at 410-658-9898 at Hilltop. Custom Equestrian Products handles our footing needs. We look forward to hearing from you.

Q: Can you please give me the pros and cons of grass footing in a riding arena compared to sand? Also, what kind of upkeep does it take?

A: There is no comparison between a grass arena and sand mixture footing arena for dressage. We would be more than willing to discuss the many options with you. Please contact Bryan Harnish or Scott Hassler by phone, 410-658-9898, at Hilltop Farm between 8 - 4, M-F. We have several products that are very useful through our company, Custom Equestrian Products. Looking forward to hearing from you.