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Thinking of Building an Equestrian Centre?

10 Tips For a Smooth Project
(provided courtesy of Goodon Industries)

Last Modified: January 21, 2003

Building an equestrian centre or riding arena is a major undertaking that requires a hefty financial commitment. It takes solid planning, a reliable builder and good listening skills to ensure your needs are met. If you’re even thinking of building, consider the following tips to help make the process more productive and less strenuous.

  1. Experience: Ensure you are hiring a reliable company that specializes in riding arenas and can deliver the goods. Check references, take a look at other riding arenas they have built and talk to past customers about the building process, quality of the product and service.
  2. Layout: Think long and hard about the variety of uses your building can perform for you. Don’t forget about planning in storage space for feed or equipment, a tack room, office, etc. Ensuring you build large enough in the initial stage to take care of your present and future needs, will save you money in the long run by eliminating the need to add more costly lean-tos later on.
  3. Location: Your building site should be on level ground in a wind-swept area. This ensures that snow is cleared from your roof naturally via the wind. Also consider the elevation of your site.
  4. Height: Make sure that your building is high enough for your needs. Again, consider the uses of your riding arena. If you’re planning on equestrian, dressage or rodeo events, you’ll need to take that into consideration.
  5. Lighting: Although lighting may seem like a minor concern, you will want to ensure that your lighting source is efficient and provides even coverage. To achieve this, you might consider halogen lights as well as building in a ridge light, which allows the natural sunlight in during the day. These lighting sources allow maximum use of natural light and ensure pole shadows are not cast along the flooring -- which have the tendency to spook horses in training.
  6. Splashboard: To protect your horse and your building, four feet of dressed planking – otherwise known as bumper boards – should encircle the interior of the arena. This safety feature allows you and your horse to use the entire space of the arena without worrying about leg injuries.
  7. Insulation: If you’re planning on including a boarding facility in your riding arena, consider insulating it. A healthy horse is a healthy investment. Allowing your horse to cool down in a warm boarding environment after a workout is preferable.
  8. Flooring: You’ll want to add your own flooring mixture after the building is erected. This guarantees that crushed rock or other materials your builders use, doesn’t cover any of your costly flooring.
  9. Colours: When planning your building, choose a compatible colour scheme to complement your existing structures. Your builder should be able to offer you a wide range of high quality coloured metal to accommodate your preferences.
  10. Service: Last, but certainly not least, talk to your company before entering a contract with them about warranties and service they will provide after your building has been erected. By going with a company that offers a comprehensive package from start to finish including materials, service and labour exclusive to the company, it will be easier for you to pinpoint accountability for potential problems. Again, checking with past customers should give you a good indication of product quality and service – an essential component of your building contract.

Goodon Industries is Canada’s leading post frame construction company having built more than 12,000 buildings since their inception. As the pioneer in post frame construction, Goodon Industries is currently celebrating their 40th year in business with projected sales of 1,000 buildings in 2003.