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Riding Arenas
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Although it is our job to undertake the technical preparation and provide
you with recommendations after carrying out a site survey, here are some areas
for you to consider prior to your site survey.
- Size of manege – This will depend on the type of use and availability
of space (standard manege is 20m x 40m).
- Riding surface – Prices vary considerably depending on the surface
material used. Our most popular surface is silica sand topped with rubber
chippings
but we have many other surfaces available.
- Entrances - You need to decide where you would like your entrance to the
arena (more than one can be included if required).
- Riding Access – Laying extra material such as road plainings
means that the problem of muddy pathways is alleviated.
- Construction Traffic Access – In order to construct the
manege we will need to have the materials delivered as near
to the site
as possible.
Please
ensure that you can get either an articulated or an eight
wheeler lorry onto your site.
- Planning permission – This is required for the construction
of a new manage. Planning can usually be granted within
about six to eight weeks
depending
on your local authority.
- Lighting – This makes planning more difficult.
It is easier to initially apply for the manege without
lighting
being specified
then submit a further
application at a later date. If you intend to incorporate
lighting at a later date, please inform us so we can
allow for electrical
ducting which
is easier
and more cost effective to put in while the arena is
being constructed.
- Consider your neighbours – Please bear in mind
the position of your neighbours property when planning
your
manege.
- Special Requirements – Please discuss any ideas
/ requirements you have and we will incorporate
these into
the specification
where possible.
Manege construction
The construction of an all-weather riding surface is an investment that
when constructed properly should give years of life. That’s
why we only use the highest quality materials and construction methods and give a five year guarantee (subject to correct maintenance).
Our project team provides a free and full estimate with no obligation.
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Once a project receives customer approval Groundwork starts
by stripping off the surface area and levelling the site. This is done
using a laser leveller to ensure the arena will be as level as possible. Once the area has been levelled drainage channels are then laid into
the arena base with drainage pipe backfilled with drainage stone, these
are linked back to a nearby ditch or new soak-away. Further drainage
may be added if site conditions are particularly wet or where conditions
require it ensuring that the base is well drained. |
| Posts and gate posts are dry lean concreted
in and fitted with two sturdy kick boards. A tough woven membrane
is laid over the entire base stopping the migration of base material
into the ground or drainage system and a suitable aggregate
is laid over the total area usually granite or limestone (to allow good
drainage). This is compacted and rolled to create a firm level surface.
A second non-woven membrane is laid and attached to the
surrounding kickboards with all seams heat sealed. This membrane stops
the riding surface migrating through the limestone or granite
down to the drains and blocking them. |
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Note: The second membrane is always non-woven for safety reasons. If a horse’s
hoof penetrated it, due to poor maintenance of the surface, it would tear
stopping the horse from potentially injuring itself or the rider.
| Silica sand is levelled out over the surface
and finished with the coating of your choice. We recommend the
use of rubber chippings (Super-Trac), TurfFloat or pure rubber and
always advise customers
on the relative merits of each. |
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Clients can choose to have their own preferred riding surface
although silica sand topped with rubber is currently our most popular. |
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The arena post and rail (usually three rails) is then completed,
rails are secured using a professional nail gun with high grip nails, post
tops are machine cut at an angle to allow water run off and rider safety
and re-treated with a wood preserve. Gate posts are concreted in, the entrance
gate is hung and evacuated soil is landscaped as required. |
| We always conduct our own site inspection prior to completion
and project handover to our clients to ensure that the project is finished
to our high standards and our clients are delighted with the end result. |
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Key Points
- Surface levelled using a laser leveller
- Drainage laid in according to site conditions
- Membrane laid at ground level (to stop migration of the drainage aggregate
into the ground)
- Non-woven membrane used below riding surface with joints sealed (for
Horse and rider safety and to stop migration of riding surface to drainage system)
- Low fines aggregates used (to allow good drainage)
- Quality treated 125 x 75mm posts and 87 x 38 mm rails (three)
- Rails secured using high grip nails
- Post tops re-treated with wood preserve
- Excavated topsoil landscaped if required
- Final site inspection before handover to customer
- Five year installation warranty (excepting on-going surface maintenance)
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