Arenas WHERE HORSES & RIDERS SHINE

Soaked Feeds for Summer

In the realm of horse riding and competitions, the arena serves as a stage where horse and rider unite, showcasing their skills, grace, and teamwork. English equestrianism has a rich history, and its arenas play a vital role in facilitating training, practice, and exhilarating competitions. So, put on your riding boots, grab your reins, and let’s explore the fascinating world of equestrian arenas.

Arenas are purpose-built spaces designed specifically for horse riding and training. Arenas can be outside or enclosed and consist of a level, welldrained surface, ensuring optimal footing for both horse and rider. The surface materials can vary, ranging from traditional options like sand or gravel to more advanced choices such as synthetic fibres or rubber mixtures.

Equestrian arenas serve as controlled environment where riders can fine-tune their techniques and improve their performance. The even surface and well-defined boundaries allow riders to focus on precision and accuracy in their movements, helping them develop a strong connection with their horses. Equestrian arenas come alive during competitions, offering a thrilling spectacle for both riders and spectators. Showcasing the pinnacle of horsemanship and athleticism, equestrian competitions attract riders from all corners of the world, vying for victory and recognition.

Dressage riders often utilise the arena to practice intricate movements, such as lateral work, transitions, and extensions. The arena’s clear dimensions and letters at specific points assist riders in executing precise patterns and figures, while mirrors strategically placed around the arena provide immediate visual feedback for riders to improve their position and aids as well as the horses shape and way of going.

Show jumping riders, on the other hand, rely on the arena to practice their jumping skills. The spacious layout of the arena allows for the setup of various jumps, including oxers, verticals, and combinations in most if not all-weather conditions. Riders can simulate challenging courses, work on their approach, and perfect their jumping technique, all within the safety and controlled environment of the arena.

Arena Space For All

Horse enthusiasts may long to have their own arena at home so let’s take a look at the exciting world of equestrian arena builds. You can create an amazing space where horses and riders truly shine, showing off their skills, grace, and incredible teamwork.

Picture this: you and your horse, working your tails off in the equestrian arena. It’s a magical place where dreams become reality. Equestrian arenas serve as the ultimate training grounds for riders of all skill levels the arena is where you fine-tune your moves and elevate your performance.

When it comes to building an equestrian arena, there are a few key factors to consider. First up, the surface material. You’ve got options like good old sand, gravel, or synthetic fibres or rubber mixtures. It all depends on what kind of riding you plan to do and the footing you desire for your majestic steeds.

Arena Design

The design of your arena also takes into consideration factors like drainage, lighting. Proper drainage is essential to maintain a dry and safe surface, preventing water build-up and ensuring optimal footing. Adequate lighting allows for training and competitions to take place during evening hours, extending the usability of the arena. What about size? The dimensions of an equestrian arena vary depending on the intended use. Dressage arenas are typically smaller, measuring around 20 meters by 40 meters, while show jumping arenas tend to be larger, stretching to 40 meters by 60 meters or even more. These dimensions provide ample space for riders to perform their awe-inspiring moves while keeping their trusty four-legged companions safe and sound.

Fencing

Fencing plays a crucial role in defining the boundaries of the arena and providing a safe enclosure for the activities within. The type of fencing chosen should be sturdy, secure, and capable of withstanding impact and pressure. Wooden post-and-rail fences are a popular choice for arenas as they are visually appealing, easy to construct, and provide good visibility for both riders and spectators. The rails should be properly spaced and securely attached to the posts to prevent any potential hazards. It is advisable to opt for thick, robust rails to ensure maximum strength and stability. Additionally, incorporating a top rail or electric wire can help deter horses from leaning or attempting to jump over the fence.

Safety should be of paramount importance when constructing an arena, and this extends to the fencing. Here are some essential safety considerations to keep in mind:

SMOOTH SURFACES: The wood used

Lighting Your Arena

Arena lighting is as important as choosing the right surface. The lighting required will depend upon the level of use and activity taking place. You may need to check if planning permission is required.

When choosing the best lighting, think about positioning, height, colour of light and brightness. Mounting height will often determine the lumen output required – brighter is not always better because it can lead to creating glare and we recommend 4000-5000K colour temperature to achieve the best results. It is a good idea to obtain a lighting design to establish the most appropriate product and positioning.

for fencing should be sanded and finished to eliminate any sharp edges or splinters that could potentially harm horses or riders. Regular maintenance, such as sanding and refinishing, is necessary to prevent the development of rough surfaces over time. Selecting the right wood type for arena fencing is vital to ensure its longevity and performance. Different wood species possess varying characteristics such as density, strength, and resistance to weathering. Cedar, redwood, and oak are commonly used for fencing due to their durability and natural resistance to decay and insect infestation. These woods also exhibit minimal warping and shrinking, making them suitable for withstanding the elements over time. It is crucial to avoid woods that are prone to rotting or have high maintenance requirements, as they can compromise the safety and longevity of the arena.

HEIGHT AND CLEARANCE: The height of the fence should be appropriate for the activities conducted in the arena. For jumping disciplines, a taller fence may be required to contain the horses effectively. Adequate clearance should also be provided above the fence to accommodate the height of the horses and prevent injuries during jumps.

GOOD VISIBILITY: is crucial for both riders and spectators. The fencing design should prioritize visibility, allowing riders to easily assess their surroundings and react accordingly. This can be achieved by ensuring proper spacing between rails and avoiding any visual obstructions.

Regular maintenance is essential to ensure the longevity and safety of the arena fencing. Wood should be inspected regularly for signs of decay, insect damage, or structural issues. Any damaged or weakened sections should be promptly repaired or replaced to maintain the integrity of the enclosure.

Last but not least whilst you’re making some important decisions about your equine arena, don’t forget to daydream about how your dreams are becoming a reality and very soon you and your horse will have hours of fun utilising your very own arena!

If you already have an arena in place but feel that time is beginning to get the better of it, then fear not, you may not need and brand new installation, many companies across the country now offer an arena refurbishment service, where they will come out and assess areas of fatigue, this may be the drainage, fencing or the surface itself, it is always worth talking to a professional if you are seeking to refurbish your arena as if got wrong, this could become an expensive mistake. If you are planning a new build arena, again it is imperative that you engage with a proper firm for this, they will give you advise on location of the build, planning regulations and any restrictions on specific materials used. It is also likely that you will need to engage with your local planning authority for approval of your planned construction

Making Light Work Of Clearing Up

Every smallholding and private paddock are different, but clearing up after horses, donkeys, or ponies is something we all have in common. Created out of necessity, the SCH Equestrian Powered Brush (EPB) is for customers requesting something – anything – to make this perpetual and relentless task quicker and easier. Over the past 36 years, SCH has created and refined many equestrian machines, but none more valuable than the EPB, allowing you to spend longer with the horses and less time clearing up.

The regular removal of droppings promotes healthy grass and reduces dropping-related diseases. Four rows of height-adjustable brushes rotate at variable speeds to flick the droppings into the plastic rot-proof rear collecting box. A reliable 5.5Hp Honda engine drives four rows of heightadjustable brushes. The machine’s speed-reduction gearbox incorporates a centrifugal clutch which allows the brushes to stop revolving when the engine speed is low - a necessary feature when moving from heap to heap.

To use the EPB, tow it over the droppings, and the powered brush will pick them cleanly off the ground and throw them into the rear collection box. Emptying couldn’t be easier –turn the winch to lift and tilt the collecting box effortlessly.

The task of dropping removal never ends, and the EPB can potentially save hundreds of hours of labour per year. The durable chassis is constructed from solid welded steel, and the Honda-built engine offers maximum reliability. When combined with SCH’s dedicated spare parts team, the robust British-made machinery will save you time and labour costs for many years to come.

For a free 80 page brochure featuring over 200 British-built machines designed explicitly for smallholders, contact SCH on 01473 328272, email sales@schsupplies.co.uk, or visit the website www.schsupplies.co.uk