When it comes to designing a horse arena, there are many factors to consider, including budget, available space, and the type of drainage system needed to keep the space usable and dry. One of the most important factors is the type of drainage installed. There are three primary types of horse arena drainage: open, closed, and semi-pervious. Each type has its own set of advantages and disadvantages that may not be apparent at first glance. Understanding these different types of horse arena drainage can help you select the best option for your circumstances and needs. The type of horse arena drainage you choose will also have an impact on the construction costs of your project. Here is a breakdown of each one:

What is the purpose of horse arena drainage?

The main purpose of horse arena drainage is to remove water from the arena surface and prevent it from accumulating and creating puddles and standing water that can create a dangerous and unhealthy environment for both you and your horse. The type of horse arena drainage you choose will also impact the amount of water that can accumulate on the surface of the arena. Depending on the type of horse arena drainage you install, you can expect to see anywhere from 0.5 inches to 2 inches of standing water after a rain event.

Closed Horse Arena Drainage

Closed horse arena drainage is a system of pipes installed under the surface of the arena that allows water to flow out of the arena, away from the surface, and into a nearby surface water management system. The advantage of closed horse arena drainage is that it is very effective at removing water from the surface of the arena, keeping it from accumulating and creating puddles and standing water that can create a dangerous and unhealthy environment for both you and your horse. The disadvantage of closed horse arena drainage is that it is very expensive to install. The pipes needed to install a closed horse arena drainage system can cost up to $30,000 each. The pipes must be properly installed and sized to prevent them from being damaged by the horse traffic in the arena.

Semi-Permeable Horse Arena Drainage

Semi-permeable horse arena drainage is a system of pipes installed under the surface of the arena that allows water to flow out of the arena, away from the surface, and into a nearby surface water management system. The advantage of semi-permeable horse arena drainage is that it is very effective at removing water from the surface of the arena, keeping it from accumulating and creating puddles and standing water that can create a dangerous and unhealthy environment for both you and your horse. The disadvantage of semi-permeable horse arena drainage is that it is less effective than closed horse arena drainage at removing water from the surface of the arena. The pipes needed to install a semi-permeable horse arena drainage system can cost between $5,000 and $15,000 each. The pipes must be properly installed and sized to prevent them from being damaged by the horse traffic in the arena.

Open Horse Arena Drainage

Open horse arena drainage is a system of pipes installed above the surface of the arena that allows water to flow out of the arena, away from the surface, and into a nearby surface water management system. The advantage of open horse arena drainage is that it is very effective at removing water from the surface of the arena, keeping it from accumulating and creating puddles and standing water that can create a dangerous and unhealthy environment for both you and your horse. The disadvantage of open horse arena drainage is that it is not as effective as closed horse arena drainage at removing water from the surface of the arena. The pipes needed to install an open horse arena drainage system can cost between $5,000 and $15,000 each. The pipes must be properly installed and sized to prevent them from being damaged by the horse traffic in the arena.

Summing up

The type of horse arena drainage you install will have a significant impact on the amount of water that can accumulate on the surface of the arena. The most effective type of horse arena drainage is closed horse arena drainage. While closed horse arena drainage is the most effective, it is also the most expensive. Open horse arena drainage is less effective at removing water from the surface of the arena, but it is much less expensive to install. If you are on a tight budget, open horse arena drainage may be a better option for your project.

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.