Arenas?

Does anybody have any ideas on how to build a cheap arena? I'm trying to get my horse to stay on the rail and we just can't do that in the small round pen. Thanks! :)

Hey x I had been wandering the same actually. I moved from my yard which had 2 huge sand schools to a little farm with a grass menage lol, I had my reasons. But apparently you will need planning permission ... I don't think putting down sand is too expensive though ! X I have been trying to find out for ages ! How big were you thinking exactly ? I might ask my yo what she thinks !

It would probably be 130 ft by 65 ft maybe, I'm just guessing somewhere around there.

It's a heck of a lot more expensive then you'd think! At least to get it right. And even more expensive to maintain. We have a sand mix arena at our barn and we put literally thousands of dollars of 'stuff' into it every year to make sure the footing is just right. Not to mention constant watering and working with the tractor. We're a jumping barn though and footing is one of our top priorities. Sorry, no ideas for a cheap arena! Maybe just fence off a grassy spot?

We used Electro Braide for our arena. You can space the fence post 20 feet apart because this type of fencing is able to actually go 50 feet between posts. I prefer the 20 foot spacing but you can go further if you wish to save on cost of fence posts. I do electrify it when I turn them loose in it to let them know not to hang on it plus it keeps them from running you into the post. I did also put the fence on the inside as well. They make these really nice roller insulators for the corners so they can be to the inside of the arena. You do need to put sand in your arena but I have to say mine is dirt. I hate it because its hard in the summer and muddy in the winter and spring. But sand would be the most expensive thing to the arena, plus to put sand down you have to remove the topsoil from the arena or you get what I have....mud. Just my thoughts!

A good arena is expensive.
If you want a cheap one, you could be paying with your horse's lameness from unsuitable footing.

Sounds like if you are wanting to work "on the rail" you might be looking to compete in some discipline. Arenas are pretty expensive and require constant upkeep to keep things safe for everyone.

Maybe look around for a facility that would let you use thier arena as a trade off for some work.

Fencing itself is expensive. You might be able to get away with just one rail. I hate sand footing. I usually ride in gravel/quary stone and rubber.