Newsdate: Wed February 14, 2018, 12:00 pm
ATGLEN, Pennsylvania

Horizon Structures Presents Series…Build in Safety for Horse and Rider When Building an Indoor Arena.

There are many factors that can easily be overlooked when building an indoor arena and it is important to take the time to plan and consider both present and future needs and of paramount importance in those considerations should be horse and rider safety.

Be clear about clear span

The geography of the U.S.A. offers diverse weather patterns, precipitation and temperature challenges. In particular the structure of the trusses should be considered to avoid the risk of roof failure due to high snowfall or high winds.

Support for the roof should not come from pillars within the arena space as these provide a collision danger for both horse and rider.

If you have ridden in horse events at Madison Square Garden, New York, then you know first hand, the difficulty of completing a warm up in the collection area. The pillars are everywhere and the space confined.

Do not allow an inexperienced builder talk you into any pillar supports being placed within the riding space. With glue-lam construction there are always opportunities to keep the space clearspan.

A good construction company will also provide plans and deliver on construction that meets or exceeds local zoning/building code for snow load. If you choose to add insulation to protect the arena from condensation and cold temperatures, a professional and experienced builder will also ensure that the added weight of insulation under the roof is taken into account in their stamped and approved engineered plans. If you live in a high-risk area for hurricanes and wind damage the company should also ensure that the roof is properly constructed and tied down to meet and hopefully also exceed local building code requirements.

Height and width matters

Think about the future needs of yourself and also what potential purchasers of your property down the road might love. For example, you may be a dressage rider and not require the additional height to the trusses for rider safety that a jumper rider will need.

Height requirements also matter when you are having new footing delivered, pulling in hay wagons from the rain or storing other items in the building such as hay or equipment. A taller building will also provide more room for a viewing room.

Jumpers need turning room to complete a jumping course, and the best advice for the right size of indoor can be obtained from an experienced indoor arena building company.

Door Placement

With a big building you can expect big doors. These giant sliding beasts can become a safety hazard when left open or unlatched during high winds. When you try and pull these doors open on gusty days you also put yourself at risk, as the huge doors create a perfect sail in the right conditions. Place your doors in the gable end of the building and away from prevailing winds for additional safety. Doors should always be either latched closed or latched fully open for safety.

Exit Placement

If you have any intention of renting or utilizing the indoor arena for public events or commercial use it is imperative you have an exit door of some sort on each wall. Building code will require it in most States, and it is a smart move to have fire exit doors that open from the inside of the building on each side. A lighted exit sign above each will also be quick and easy to implement at time of construction. While the doors may be human sized, in an emergency a horse can easily be led out of these exits.

Fire Safety

It should go without saying that fire extinguishers should be present in all buildings and kept current on inspection/maintenance.

In addition to the exit placement mentioned above, it is wise to consider adding a sprinkler system to your building. Not only can this save lives in the event of a fire, particularly if horses or humans live adjacent to the indoor arena structure, it also adds horse safety in the form of footing maintenance.

Footing

Whatever footing you choose, you need to consider how you will keep it optimum, based on the manufacturer’s instructions, to benefit your horse’s soundness. Footing that is too dry or too wet can produce a hazard for your horse to slip and slide. Good footing that is properly maintained adds to soundness of the horse and maximizes longevity of the footing.

A dusty arena is also a hazard to both the horse and rider’s lung health. As a clinician/coach and trainer of horses from youngsters through the top levels of the sport, both horse and rider must be treated as the athletes they are, and dusty footing is more than just a supreme annoyance. Always protect the respiratory system.

While you can add harsh chemicals to the footing material to encourage water retention and release, a sprinkler system is an excellent method of providing water to the arena footing. Certain additives can be toxic to the horse if ingested, so be careful to pick feet before returning your horse to the stall and never use them in areas where you store hay.

Lighting

Lighting is important for safety of both horse and rider. The lighting should be adequate to avoid shadows on the walls and the lighting grid should be placed to avoid glare or uneven coverage. Shadows may spook horses and cause a fall, and at best may cause tension in the horse. Uneven light coverage may cause the same problem.

Natural light will save on energy costs. If you want expert advice on lighting (or heating) your indoor arena, consult with your local energy company. Often they will offer grants and discounts on lighting products and be able to advise you on layout design and fixtures. Always house all electric wires in a conduit, to protect from weather and vermin and be certain all fixtures used are rated for outside use.

Airflow

Good ventilation is important for the health of both horse and rider. The arena footing may be perfectly tended to avoid dust, but in hot weather the sides and roof of a tin building will radiate heat. Doors that can be opened wide to allow breezes through the building on a hot summer day, or open walls on one side of the building, may be beneficial to mitigate the swelter and sizzle of summer. However, ensure that exits are secured with a safe barrier to prevent those horse ‘escapees’, especially when working green horses or beginner riders.

Cupolas, extraction fans and air systems can be added to aid in airflow. Leaving the eaves of the building open will also add airflow if there is no dropped ceiling in the structure. However, do not leave the eaves open without some form of wire protection or you will find the bird population is happy to take up residence. This adds not just an annoyance with their noise, but also another hazard for the rider on a spooky or sensitive horse, whose horse may become alarmed by birds flying around during their training sessions.

The Leg-Up on Leg Protection

An angled sidewall to the rider height is a good idea on the inside walls of the arena to protect both horse and rider from damage during errant moments. The angled wall will not just protect the rider’s knee from collision damage, but it also protects the horse from hitting his shoulder/face/legs on the sidewall.

Additionally it provides a layer of protection for the horse should he kick out and inadvertently puncture the side of the building with his hoof. The damages from this type injury are often career or even life ending.

It is important that the base of the wall is secured with at least a two by four inch piece of lumber running along the base, otherwise the sheathing will simply curve in over time with the pressure of the footing. Ensure the sheathing is of sufficient strength to avoid puncturing in the event of impact and to avoid high maintenance due to repetitive damage.

In my many years as a dressage clinician I have been hosted at a variety of horse farms and their indoor arenas vary considerably.

For many of us, it is not easy to afford an indoor arena in the first place.  Always look for experienced company to trust with your indoor arena construction that offers experts that will answer all your questions and offer guidance in your decisions as and when needed. It is always cheaper and easier to figure out what you need at the planning stage than to make work change orders later. Most companies will do what they can to work within a budget and many will offer financing for part of the sum. Do not be afraid to ask.

Happy Riding.

This article is brought to you courtesy of Horizon Structures Inc., Atglen PA – Modular horse barn and indoor riding arena specialists. Please visit https://www.HorizonStructures.com to learn more.

About Horizon Structures:  One horse or twenty, there's one thing all horse owners have in common...the need to provide safe and secure shelter for their equine partners.  At Horizon Structures, we combine expert craftsmanship, top-of-the-line materials and smart "horse-friendly" design to create a full line of sheds and barns that any horse owner can feel confident is the right choice for their horses' stabling needs.

All wood. Amish Made. Most of our buildings are shipped 100% pre-built and ready for same-day use. Larger barns are a modular construction and can be ready for your horses in less than a week. All our barn packages include everything you need -

Horizon Structures also sells indoor riding arenas, chicken coops, dog kennels, 1 and 2 car garages, storage sheds and outdoor living structures.

Headquartered in South-Central Pennsylvania, Horizon Structures, LLC is owned by Dave Zook.  Dave was raised in the Amish tradition and grew up working in the family-owned shed business.  He started Horizon Structures in 2001 in response to an ever-increasing customer demand for high quality, affordable horse barns.

For additional information about the company or their product line, please visit their website at https://www.horizonstructures.com

By Nikki Alvin-Smith

About Nikki Alvin-Smith: International and national published freelance writer and photographer in such world renowned publications such as The Chronicle of the Horse, Horse and Hound, Dressage and CT, The Horseman’s Yankee Pedlar, The Equine Journal, Spur, Hoofprint, Horsin’ Around, Horses All, Field & Stream, Pony Quarterly, Catskill Horse to name a few. Ghostwriting, blog services, PR/Marketing copy either direct with manufacturer or for agencies, copy editing and editor services also available. Nikki has produced catalog copy, corporate brochures and advertising copy for international corporations and PR/Marketing for celebrities. 

As a Brit who has called the America home for the past 34 years, Nikki brings a unique perspective to the equestrian world. Nikki is also an accomplished Grand Prix dressage trainer/competitor, competing at international Grand Prix level to scores over 72% and is a highly sought clinician offering clinics worldwide. She has been a horse breeder/importer of warmblood and Baroque breeds for more than 25 years. Together with her husband Paul who is also a Grand Prix trainer, they run a private dressage breeding operation and training yard in the beautiful Catskill Mountains of New York. Please visit http://www.NikkiAlvinSmithStudio.com to learn more.