Building a horse arena is more than just a construction project—it’s an investment in your equine partner’s comfort, performance, and long-term health. Whether you’re a pleasure rider, a dressage enthusiast, or an elite jumper, a well-planned arena can become the heart of your equine facility. But with so many moving parts, where do you start?
At Premier Equestrian, we’ve helped countless equestrians turn their arena dreams into reality. Through years of experience, we’ve identified six critical factors that make or break a successful arena design. Skip any of these, and you could end up with costly fixes down the line. Let’s dive in!
Before picking up a shovel, ask yourself: Who will use this arena, and for what? The needs of a reining horse sliding into a stop are worlds apart from a dressage horse executing precise pirouettes—and your arena design should reflect that.
“Not every arena is suitable for every single discipline,” says Mark Neihart, Premier Equestrian’s CEO and co-founder. “The surface interacts differently with different disciplines.”
Dressage: Requires grip and stability to support controlled movements. A surface that shifts too much can throw off your horse’s balance.
Jumping: Needs a firm base for takeoffs and enough cushion to absorb the impact of landings. Too soft, and your horse struggles to push off; too hard, and you risk joint strain.
Speed Disciplines (Reining, Barrel Racing): Calls for loose footing that lets horses slide smoothly without getting stuck.
Get clear on your discipline first—it will guide every other decision you make, from size to footing.
One size does NOT fit all when it comes to horse arenas. The right size depends on three things: your discipline, how many horses will use it at once, and the space you have available on your property.
Let’s break down the basics:
Dressage: A standard competition-sized dressage arena is 20m x 60m (about 12,915 square feet). If you’re training regularly, add a warmup track around the outside—this gives your horse time to loosen up without cutting into your practice space. Smaller dressage arenas (20m x 40m) work for casual riders, but competition riders should aim for the full 20x60.
Jumping: You’ll need more room to set up a full course. Most jumping arenas are at least 100’ x 200’ (20,000 square feet)—this gives your horse enough space to approach jumps safely and recover between efforts.
Pro tip: If you’re on a tight budget, don’t sacrifice size entirely. A cramped arena can lead to accidents and limit your horse’s training progress.
Where you build your arena can make or break your budget—especially when it comes to site prep. The ideal spot checks two boxes: it’s accessible (close to barns, water, and electricity) and already flat.
Why flat? Because grading a hilly or sloped area requires heavy excavation (think: cutting into hills or filling in low spots), which can quickly become one of the most expensive line items in your budget. That’s not to say you can’t build on uneven land—you just need to account for those extra costs upfront.
Avoid high-traffic areas too. A arena next to a busy road or loud barn can distract your horse, making training harder (and less safe).
Muddy footing, puddles, and waterlogged bases are the biggest complaints we hear about existing arenas—and 9 times out of 10, it’s because drainage wasn’t planned for.
The key is to work with nature, not against it. First, map where water already flows on your property. Hills and slopes are great because they let water run off; flat areas tend to collect it (bad news for your arena).
If you’re stuck with a flat spot, don’t panic. You can fix drainage issues with:
Excavation: Creating subtle slopes to direct water away from the arena.
The right base material: Free-draining bases (like rock combined with geotextile fabric) let water seep through instead of pooling.
Technology: Products like OTTO Sport Arena Base Mats (exclusively distributed by Premier Equestrian in North America) add an extra layer of drainage and stability, keeping your arena usable even after rain.
Your arena’s base is like the foundation of a house—if it’s weak, everything above it will suffer. A good base provides stability, supports the footing, and enhances drainage. The right option for you depends on your location, drainage needs, and budget.
Here are the most common base types:
Compacted Base: The most economical choice. It uses stone dust, screenings, or road base that’s wetted down and compacted with a vibrating roller. Great for dry climates with good natural drainage.
Free-Draining Base: Combines rock with geotextile fabric to let water flow through. Perfect for wetter areas or flat sites.
High-Tech Options: For maximum performance, consider systems like the Arion Ebb and Flow. It uses a waterproof membrane and pipe array to control moisture—wetting the footing from below (no more sprinklers!) and draining excess water after rain. OTTO Sport Mats also work here, adding shock absorption and longevity.
When it comes to your horse’s well-being, nothing matters more than the footing. “Arena footing is probably the most important part of any equestrian facility, because it will have the greatest impact on the horse’s health over the long term,” Neihart explains.
With so many options (sand, rubber, textiles, waxed footing), how do you choose? Start with two things:
Local Sand Availability: Not all sand is created equal. There are over 10,000 types of sand in the U.S. alone, and most aren’t suitable for horse arenas. Avoid the mistake of buying “horse arena sand” from a local quarry—chances are, the seller doesn’t know what horses actually need. “If you go down to the local rock quarry and say, ‘I’m building a horse arena,’ I guarantee the guy will say, ‘yeah, I have horse arena sand, it’s over there’,” Neihart warns. “That guy doesn’t know anything about horses.”
Water Access: Some footing (like sand) needs regular watering to stay dust-free and stable. If you’re in a dry area with limited water, you might need to add amendments (like rubber or textiles) to reduce water needs.
Amendments are a game-changer here. They complement your sand—adding cushion to hard sand, or stability to loose sand. Work with Premier Equestrian’s experts to find the right mix for your discipline and climate.
Building an arena is a big project, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. The United States Dressage Federation’s guide Underfoot (edited by Premier Equestrian’s experts) is a great resource for avoiding common mistakes. And our team offers free consultations—whether you’re building from scratch or rehabbing an existing arena.
At the end of the day, a well-designed arena is more than just a space to ride—it’s a place where you and your horse can grow, train, and enjoy each other’s company for years to come. With the right plan, your dream arena is closer than you think.
Ready to get started? Reach out to Premier Equestrian today for your free consultation!
Email:contact@hopehorsechina.com
WhatsApp:+86 18653225780
