Arena Construction Principles
The key to a successful and long lasting arena is not only the choice of surface but the quality and quantity of the materials that lie beneath it.
Earth Works
The perimeter fence comprises of 150mm x 75mm posts at 1.8m centres concreted into position, three 150mm x 38mm retaining boards, three 100mm x 38mm rails, one 3.6m access gate, and posts hung on galvanized fittings. All timber is tanalized or pressure treated. The fencing can be tailored to suit your requirements and budget. Options include angles boards, and half round rails. Posts can be driven in as opposed to concreted.
Drainage and Structural Base
Working from the level base the drainage system is installed. Perforated land drain is laid in shallow excavated membrane lined channels. Drainage channels will vary in number depending upon the soil and may include a perimeter or cut off drain to re-route water running off higher ground.
It is also possible to bury heat exchanger pipes under the arena base for use in conjunction with heat exchanger systems in housing.
Fencing
The perimeter fence comprises of 150mm x 75mm posts at 1.8m centres concreted into position, three 150mm x 38mm retaining boards, three 100mm x 38mm rails, one 3.6m access gate, and posts hung on galvanized fittings. All timber is tantalized or pressure treated. The fencing can be tailored to suit your requirements and budget. Options include angles boards, and half round rails. Posts can be driven in as opposed to concreted.
In cut and fill situations it is possible to install railway sleepers as both an aesthetically pleasing finish and as an extra precaution to hold back the earth.
Surface Examples
The key to a successful and long lasting arena is not only the choice of surface but the quality and quantity of the materials that lie beneath it.
Earth Works
The perimeter fence comprises of 150mm x 75mm posts at 1.8m centres concreted into position, three 150mm x 38mm retaining boards, three 100mm x 38mm rails, one 3.6m access gate, and posts hung on galvanized fittings. All timber is tanalized or pressure treated. The fencing can be tailored to suit your requirements and budget. Options include angles boards, and half round rails. Posts can be driven in as opposed to concreted.
Drainage and Structural Base
Working from the level base the drainage system is installed. Perforated land drain is laid in shallow excavated membrane lined channels. Drainage channels will vary in number depending upon the soil and may include a perimeter or cut off drain to re-route water running off higher ground.
It is also possible to bury heat exchanger pipes under the arena base for use in conjunction with heat exchanger systems in housing.
Fencing
The perimeter fence comprises of 150mm x 75mm posts at 1.8m centres concreted into position, three 150mm x 38mm retaining boards, three 100mm x 38mm rails, one 3.6m access gate, and posts hung on galvanized fittings. All timber is tantalized or pressure treated. The fencing can be tailored to suit your requirements and budget. Options include angles boards, and half round rails. Posts can be driven in as opposed to concreted.
In cut and fill situations it is possible to install railway sleepers as both an aesthetically pleasing finish and as an extra precaution to hold back the earth.
Surface Examples
There are four main types of surface available for arenas:
- Wood Fibre
- Silica Equestrian Sand
- Silica Equestrian Sand with either PVC granules or Rubber Fibre
- Manufactured Wax coated synthetic surfaces
Most of the arenas we construct are based on a sand and rubber combination. The sand needs to be very clean and angular, the best of which comes from Surrey. This is laid to a depth of 100mm and ideally wetted and compacted. A 50mm - 70mm depth layer of chopped rubber is then evenly spread. The compacted sand gives a firm base to ride on whilst the rubber adds spring, helps prevent freezing in the winter and prevents the drying out of the sand in hot dry spells. Using the wrong sand will very quickly result in the rubber being pushed or mixed into the sand thus giving a deep loose surface liable to freezing.
