When it comes to designing a new horse arena or renovating an old one, there are a few factors to consider. One of the biggest is what type of drainage system will be used. Horse arenas come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to select the right type of system for each project. There are four main types of horse arena drainage: open channel, closed channel, soil infiltration and flow through systems. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the size of the arena, the type of soil and other considerations. Read on to learn more about each type of horse arena drainage and how it can impact your project.

What is an open channel horse arena drainage system?

An open channel horse arena drainage system is one where the water is channeled from the ground into a ditch or channel. This type of system is ideal for large horse arenas that have a high volume of water that needs to be removed from the site. Open channel systems are commonly used in agricultural settings where a large amount of water needs to be collected and transported to a different location for use or disposal. Since an open channel horse arena drainage system is made to channel water from the ground to a ditch or channel, it can be installed in areas with a sandy soil that drains quickly. However, if the soil is clay or loam, the open channel horse arena drainage system may not be the best option.

What is a closed channel horse arena drainage system?

A closed channel horse arena drainage system is one where the water is channeled from the ground into a pipe or tunnel. This type of system is ideal for large horse arenas that have a high volume of water that needs to be removed from the site. A closed channel horse arena drainage system is commonly used in large agricultural settings where a large amount of water needs to be collected and transported to a different location for use or disposal. Since a closed channel horse arena drainage system is made to channel water from the ground to a pipe or tunnel, it can be installed in areas with a sandy soil that drains quickly. However, if the soil is clay or loam, the closed channel horse arena drainage system may not be the best option.

What is a soil infiltration horse arena drainage system?

A soil infiltration horse arena drainage system is one where the water is collected from the soil and channeled into a ditch or channel. This type of system is ideal for large horse arenas that have a low volume of water that needs to be removed from the site. A soil infiltration horse arena drainage system is commonly used in large agricultural settings where a large amount of water needs to be collected and transported to a different location for use or disposal. Since a soil infiltration horse arena drainage system is made to channel water from the soil to a ditch or channel, it can be installed in areas with a sandy soil that drains quickly. However, if the soil is clay or loam, the soil infiltration horse arena drainage system may not be the best option.

What is a flow through horse arena drainage system?

A flow through horse arena drainage system is one where the water is collected from the ground and channeled into a ditch or channel. This type of system is ideal for large horse arenas that have a low volume of water that needs to be removed from the site. A flow through horse arena drainage system is commonly used in large agricultural settings where a large amount of water needs to be collected and transported to a different location for use or disposal. Since a flow through horse arena drainage system is made to channel water from the ground to a ditch or channel, it can be installed in areas with a sandy soil that drains quickly. However, if the soil is clay or loam, the flow through horse arena drainage system may not be the best option.

Conclusion

Horse arenas come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to select the right type of system for each project. There are four main types of horse arena drainage: open channel, closed channel, soil infiltration and flow through systems. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the size of the arena, the type of soil and other considerations. Whether you’re renovating an existing horse arena or designing a new one, it’s important to consider the right type of system for the job. The right horse arena drainage system will help prevent flooding, improve the aesthetics of the site and make the cleaning process easier.

Frequently Asked Question

The best surface for a horse arena is sand. The sand should be a medium, to coarse, sharp sand that has been cleaned (washed) so it becomes less compacted over time and give off less dust
Olympic Equestrian Arena surfaces tend to be made up of sand with a small percentage of polyester textile fibres.
Normally 8 - 12 centimeters of fine sand combined with a small amount of textile fibres and a sand additive will be sufficient for dressage or show jumping.
Olympic Equestrian Arena surfaces tend to be made up of sand with a small percentage of polyester textile fibres.