|
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1008
| The place we just moved to is very rolling and needs some major dirt work for an arena. What is the smallest size you would consider adequate? I don't plan to put up actual fence around it. Any advice is appreciated. This will be used for riding colts and working the pattern. |
|
| |
|
   
| 200X200 which is essentially an acre ... and have the dozer operator put it right on the top of one of the rolling hills for drainage and no wasted time in slicing off the top of the hill.. lol .
Disk and prep only 180x180 with a 10 ft perimeter to cut down on any washouts that will occur ...
Build you two 10 ft solid pipe hitching rails so you can ride one greeny and pony a couple more at a time and spend less time to and from the barn ... cuts down on the barn sour mood too ... lol
GOOD LUCK .. |
|
| |
|
 Am I really the Weirdo?
Posts: 11181
Location: Kansas | I think you can accomplish a lot in a smaller space than 200X200. My boyfriend has about a 70X100 patch worked up in his pasture and it is big enough to do some pattern work even though we can't fit a whole pole bending pattern in it, and he lunges horses in it regularly. I think the "arena" where I've been living the past year is about 100X180-200 and it works really nicely for working the pattern or doing other exercises. |
|
| |
|
 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | make it as big as you can.....simple. BUT if you have access to google earth, there is a measuring ruler that is within 2 feet accurate-so you can "fly over" properties that have arenas that you're familiar with and get measurments to help you plan-found it last week, coolest, thing, ever :) |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 788
| I used to have an arena that was 80X220 and mine had fences. The length technically can be cut down to about 200 and still have plenty of room. It makes a decent size pattern if you are squished for space. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1367
Location: mi | Mine is 80 x 150 approx. Fenced. I would go at least 20' bigger in every direction to have decent area to work patterns. On a big horse that 80 foot wide makes for a short go between 1 and 2. And the poles fit but with no extra room so another 20' or so for a start area would be nice. |
|
| |
|
  Witty Enough
Posts: 2954
Location: CTX | LMS - 2016-06-07 8:25 AM make it as big as you can.....simple. BUT if you have access to google earth, there is a measuring ruler that is within 2 feet accurate-so you can "fly over" properties that have arenas that you're familiar with and get measurments to help you plan-found it last week, coolest, thing, ever :)
Thanks, just tried that little gadget in google, and that's awesome!!!  |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1008
| LMS - 2016-06-07 8:25 AM
make it as big as you can.....simple. BUT if you have access to google earth, there is a measuring ruler that is within 2 feet accurate-so you can "fly over" properties that have arenas that you're familiar with and get measurments to help you plan-found it last week, coolest, thing, ever :)
Yes I have measured some friends' arenas using agridata. I'm just afraid it is going to cost a small fortune (or maybe large!) to do it. Bigger is always better though! |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 678
Location: Canada | It depends on what size pattern is common in your area. Having the ability to train and run on a full size pattern is nice but if you only ever run on much smaller patterns then spending the extra money really isn't worth it. Also lots of corrective work is done on a much smaller scale so think of what you typically run or work your horses on and build based on that.
|
|
| |
|
 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| Ours is 100x200 fenced. If I ever need bigger I can haul 15 minutes away and use the county pen.
|
|
| |
|
 Unknown Drip
Posts: 5624
Location: Back in MT BABY!!! | RunNitroRun - 2016-06-07 10:46 AM It depends on what size pattern is common in your area. Having the ability to train and run on a full size pattern is nice but if you only ever run on much smaller patterns then spending the extra money really isn't worth it. Also lots of corrective work is done on a much smaller scale so think of what you typically run or work your horses on and build based on that.
Agreed...I wouldn't put in anything smaller than 120x150 but we run mainly standard patterns up here...if you don't usually run those big of patterns adjust it accordingly. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1586
Location: west of East Texas | My 'areana' is also an area disced up with a pasture fence running down one side. It is 115 x 260 and I love that I can add a 4th barrel and have the pattern set up from both ends and keep a continuous loop going if I want. If I could, I would make it wider and keep my poles set up all of the time. |
|
| |
|
| rodeowithjoker - 2016-06-07 8:03 AM
I think you can accomplish a lot in a smaller space than 200X200. My boyfriend has about a 70X100 patch worked up in his pasture and it is big enough to do some pattern work even though we can't fit a whole pole bending pattern in it, and he lunges horses in it regularly. I think the "arena" where I've been living the past year is about 100X180-200 and it works really nicely for working the pattern or doing other exercises.
When you hire a dozer or whatever ... there is a minimum charge to even show up ... so you make use of the time and build as big as you can so you never wished It was bigger...
Training colts .. you can't spend your life setting up poles, barrels, obstacles over and over again when you need that time as riding time .. you can leave everything setup and not waste your time. OR two people can be doing different things at the same time ...
When training colts the larger perimeter can be wonderful ... once you get them in the correct lead ... you can keep them in it without any head tugging as you would in a small pen setup ... and break stride ..
The 180x180 is there to use if you need it ... if you run in small pens ... set your pattern for the small pen ... which I do when training colts to turn barrels at a walk or trot or short lope ... teachem to turn with a short pattern and not waste time walking a mile to each barrel .. lol ..
When choosing dozer operators .. you will find those that can move a lot of dirt and complete the job in a short time ... others love to push dirt around all day and never complete the job ... always remember ... that hour clock is running while a dozer is idling .. so no long discussions while burning up your bank account .. ..
|
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1008
| BARRELHORSE USA - 2016-06-08 6:43 AM
rodeowithjoker - 2016-06-07 8:03 AM
I think you can accomplish a lot in a smaller space than 200X200. My boyfriend has about a 70X100 patch worked up in his pasture and it is big enough to do some pattern work even though we can't fit a whole pole bending pattern in it, and he lunges horses in it regularly. I think the "arena" where I've been living the past year is about 100X180-200 and it works really nicely for working the pattern or doing other exercises.
When you hire a dozer or whatever ... there is a minimum charge to even show up ... so you make use of the time and build as big as you can so you never wished It was bigger...
Training colts .. you can't spend your life setting up poles, barrels, obstacles over and over again when you need that time as riding time .. you can leave everything setup and not waste your time. OR two people can be doing different things at the same time ...
When training colts the larger perimeter can be wonderful ... once you get them in the correct lead ... you can keep them in it without any head tugging as you would in a small pen setup ... and break stride ..
The 180x180 is there to use if you need it ... if you run in small pens ... set your pattern for the small pen ... which I do when training colts to turn barrels at a walk or trot or short lope ... teachem to turn with a short pattern and not waste time walking a mile to each barrel .. lol ..
When choosing dozer operators .. you will find those that can move a lot of dirt and complete the job in a short time ... others love to push dirt around all day and never complete the job ... always remember ... that hour clock is running while a dozer is idling .. so no long discussions while burning up your bank account .. ..
Great points and advice! I am hoping I can get a bunch of free dirt hauled in- we are not that far from town and there is always a need to dump the dirt when digging basements for new houses...I just need to figure out where exactly I am going to go with it! |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1395
Location: Missouri | LMS - 2016-06-07 8:25 AM
make it as big as you can.....simple. BUT if you have access to google earth, there is a measuring ruler that is within 2 feet accurate-so you can "fly over" properties that have arenas that you're familiar with and get measurments to help you plan-found it last week, coolest, thing, ever :)
Well, that's just super handy! My husband and I argue about the size of the field behind us that we'd like to see if the neighbors will sell to us...now I know how to better find out before we approach them on it! |
|
| |
Arena size