If I were to build an arena, what size do I need to comfortably jump? I want it as small as I can to save on space and money, but I don't want it so small that I feel too cramped to do anything in it.
This is probably already obvious, but make sure to keep the height in mind for an indoor, too. I've seen some places with, um, *questionable* rafter heights for jumping (eek!)
How big are you jumping? Our smallest ring is 90 x 160 and we can easily set up 18 in courses in there with a 4 stride line down the outside. Gymnastics too. Anything over 2"3 possibly 2"6 gets more complicated, although I have done 3"6 singles. The narrowness more then anything is what makes it difficult so if I had to rebuild the ring I'd make it wider.
Just remember, a horse's "average" canter stride is 12 feet long. When you're setting up a line you allow 6 feet for take off in front of the jump and 6 feet after for landing. You want to make sure there is enough room for at least a few strides before and after the line begins.
How big are you jumping? Our smallest ring is 90 x 160 and we can easily set up 18 in courses in there with a 4 stride line down the outside. Gymnastics too. Anything over 2"3 possibly 2"6 gets more complicated, although I have done 3"6 singles. The narrowness more then anything is what makes it difficult so if I had to rebuild the ring I'd make it wider.
Just remember, a horse's "average" canter stride is 12 feet long. When you're setting up a line you allow 6 feet for take off in front of the jump and 6 feet after for landing. You want to make sure there is enough room for at least a few strides before and after the line begins.
I have a very small woodchip which i can jump a single fence in it is slightly bigger then a 20metre circle(sorry dont know the exact sizing) it was originally built for me free jumping my youngsters.
However i have a big 20 jump course set out in the field which is to big as i forget sizing.
I would go with a size you feel happy enough with say like warmup arena size BUT build it so when you get more finances it can be enlarged further. This is what a friend of mine is doing granted hers is outdoor
I guess I've been giving out mixed messages. Let me ask it this way:
What is the smallest size arena I can jump a 3ft course in? I'm not looking for anything elaborate. It's for my own training purposes. I do want to be able to practice what will come up in shows though, maybe just in a smaller scale. Does that make sense?
Maggie- Thanks for the advice on building it so it's not hard to expand later when finances aren't so tight.
If 90 ft is a little narrow to be jumping a 3 ft course comfortably I'd hate to do it every day in a 20 m wide ring! That is NARROW for a jumping course...
A forum community dedicated to horse owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about breeding, grooming, reviews, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!