We're discovering that the arenas we build are
simply better engineered than others, It's not uncommon to
lose a job here and there because the customer can save a
few bucks, but we learned the hard way a while back not to
cut corners and something as substantial as an arena. Our
guys can take one look at a cheap riding arena built by someone
else and spot 5,10, 15 things that are well below are standards.
Usually they see lumber that is not intended to be used for
arenas, or not using the glue lam poles we do, which are much
stronger than their smaller dimension poles.
How to Tell if The Arena Was Cheaply Built:
- Solid sawn lumber instead of Glue Lam Poles
- The poles are size too small- a 6x6 pole when it really
called for a 6x8 or even an 8x8
- The span of the arena is wider than the support beams
can hold, especially under heavy snow and wind loads
- Skimpy truss bracing; the trusses are not spaced properly
Some Expert Advice on
Arenas
Make sure the builder you finally go with is
using engineered plans that are up to speed and current code,
and not using undersized supports. Wider spanned buildings
is no place to be risky. Make sure you err on the side of
being a little too safe when it comes to the amount of support
you're going to give the roof of your arena. And don't forget
your designer has factored in snow loads. Horizon Structures
Arenas know what anticipated snow loads are like for their
entire service area, then add some extra support for safety.
Why Risk Inadequate Support on Your Arena Project?
By working with Horizon Structures, you'll have access to
our licensed truss designer, with over 20 years of experience
designing trusses that will hold up under both normal conditions
and snow loads.
Steel Riding Arenas vs.
Post Frame Construction Riding Arenas
Steel Frame
- The building can be a little wider than 90'
- More Expensive
- Harder and more expensive to insulate
- Takes longer to construct
- Limited times of the year to build
|
Post Frame
- Width can be up to 90 feet
- Less Expensive
- Easier and Cheaper to Insulate
- Is constructed faster
- Able to build more throughout the year
|
For an effective way to bring natural light
into your arena, ask us about side lights when you talk to
one of our designers.
Insiders Tips for Horse Arenas:
- For an effective way to bring natural light into your
arena, ask us about side lights when you talk to one of
our designers.
- To reduce the noise and sound within your arena, consider
insulating the roof with Horizon Structures Solar Guard
Fire Rated Insulation.
- Unless you'll be pulling a 40 horse Clydesdale Team,
most of our customers find the 90 foot width is more than
adequate.
- To protect both the riders and the horses, at least
get a quote for how much a rider guard would be on the
wall.
 |
The minimum width for an indoor
riding area is 60'. Anything less is
probably going to be too small.
The average width for an
indoor riding arena is 70' to 80'.
The optimum length can vary widely
depending on your discipline; however,
arenas falling within the 120' to 260' range
are the most common.
Standard interior height is 16' to 18'
to the top of the trusses. |
Want to find
out more?
Give Horizon Structures a call at
888-447-4337 for no obligation ball park quote.
OR email Dave
Zook - Owner/President of Horizon Structures
Some Words of Wisdom from The Experts
"When it doubt, get a quote for something a
little larger. No one has ever come back and said they wished
they had went with a smaller riding ring. Get some natural
light coming into the space by using the side lights over
the sky lights. Sky lights can be really tricky for any pole
builder to design and can up the price of the project. Side
lights can actually be designed so they are two times the
size of a sky light in the roof, bringing in two times the
light. Avoid going with a shingle roof and use metal instead.
It's much easier for built up snow to easily slide off a metal
roof than a shingled roof. If you're on a budget but still
want it look nice, how about just making one or two sides
of the horse arena look nice by upgrading to wainscoting or
stone. It may be a bit sneaky, but if folks are rarely going
to see the other sides, you can bring down the price of your
project by keeping the other sides plain."
What size area should you chose?
The most common sizes in arenas are: the 60
foot wide by 120 feet long and the 80 foot wide by 200 feet
long. It's important to have a clear-span structure- meaning
no posts or beams are in the inside of the arena's riding
areas. If you'll be riding or groups, or training, a longer
arena is advisable. The most common height in arenas is 16
feet high. But for jumping, we usually advise folks to go
another 2 feet, or 18 feet high. Any height over 18 feet high
is more for a commercial, professional arena. Door ways should
be between 12 and 14 feet high to allow for horse and rider
and 16 foot across."
Some Options to Consider
for your new riding Arena
A 12' overhang:
An overhang- or awning- extending from the roof
along the sides of your structure can provide shelter, shade
and give your building a more finished look. "Usually an overhang
smaller than 12 feet isn't really worth the money, The amount
you'll save in say a 10 foot overhang just isn't worth the
extra 2 feet of space."
Side Lights:
If running electricity into your arena makes
your worry (the risk of a fire with hay storage) or if you
are looking for a way to bring down the cost, consider side
lights in your arena. "We can easily design your arena so
you have side lights running along all 4 sides, giving you
enough day light so you don't need electrical lights." -Patrick
from Horizon Structures.
Why Many of Our Barns have the Vapor Barrier
Insulation.
There are many advantages to the structure of
your building by going with the Vapor Barrier Insulation.
But with the horses, there is another important reason. "Rain
falling on a metal roof that does not have this insulation
can make a terrible racket which can spook some horses and
make them skittish," explains Dave. "But the Vapor Barrier
Insulations muffles this sound." Animals in any structure
will create heat- and the heat will cause condensation. A
solar guard or vapor barrier eliminates this problem
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