East-West Arena Construction Blog

Whether you are a beginner rider, aspiring Olympian, pleasure rider, or experienced professional, flatwork or "dressage" can benefit both you and your equine partner. Dressage helps to foster clear communication between horse and rider, as well as rhythm, softness, suppleness, and balance. It can help to provide a basic foundation for many riding disciplines.

It cannot be said that every horseman is concerned about professional arena construction. Take for example, the casual trail rider or the endurance rider-their arenas are either out on the open trail or over hundreds of miles of rough terrain.

Looking to build a new arena? Thoughtfulness in the design is the only way to assure you end up with an arena that is enjoyable to use, safe for the horses, and holds up over time. These steps are just as important for a private arena as for a public facility. Here are the best practices in equestrian arena design. 

Western Riding is more than hitting the trails or fields.  Western riding is often seen in the arena through competitions and in fun.  In both Western and English riding, what you are riding on matters.  

In the past, there was no solution to the impact of sand on a horse's joints and performance. Fortunately, a new development has arisen that East-West Arena Construction has utilized to create an arena for optimum performance. Using a blend of sand, textiles and fibers, East-West creates a riding surface that is incomparable to traditional sand.  

When designing an custom arena for training and for shows, proper dressage arena size is of key importance. Dressage arenas, like the arenas built for other professional sports, must conform to specific size requirements. An incorrectly designed or configured arena will make it impossible for your arena to be used for these events. Even if you are not planning to use your arena for dressage events, it pays to be informed as dressage arena size could impact any current design plans you may have.

According to the United States Dressage Federation, "Dressage is a French term meaning “training” and its purpose is to develop the horse’s natural athletic ability and willingness to work, making him calm, supple and attentive to his rider."

When building a custom equestrian arena, there are several things you must bear in mind: the design for your arena, construction of the arena, and finally maintenance. Custom arena construction is a specialized project, requiring expert knowledge.

Designing a Custom Arena

As a long and costly project, arena construction is not something to be embarked on lightly.

What type of arena will this be? Dressage arenas allow for highly-competitive sporting events – and require special materials in order to ensure proper footing for the horses. Similarly, jumper arenas require a different layout and footing materials.

Where will the arena be? There may be drainage and other considerations particular to this property.

A professional team can help you to balance these considerations, while being realistic about your budget.

Not every horse owner and rider knows what to consider when it involves the riding surface for their horses. Little do some of them know that one of the most important elements in the development of their horse during its training is choosing the right Horse Arena Footing. When working at a high level of performance your horse will tend to experience a lot of stress, which makes it important to have good arena footing to make your equine partner as comfortable as possible.

If you are looking for colleges that have equestrian programs, it is important to not only look at the degree programs that they offer, but also look at their equestrian facilities. One school you may want to look at is our Featured College Equestrian Facility: Sweet Briar College.  The Harriet Howell Rogers Riding Center in Sweet Briar, Virginia, is ranked as one of the best college riding centers in the nation.

Located within an hour’s drive from Boston, the majestic White Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, the University of New Hampshire offers a classic New England atmosphere for its students. The equestrian teams especially enjoy the scenic, panoramic mountain views as they ride the incredible cross-country course. The UNH equestrian facilities offer horse boarding, expert competition training and top-notch indoor and outdoor arenas.