Table of ContentsToggleProper Planning Prevents ProblemsStarting at the Bottom: The BaseCreating a Drain for a Riding ArenaWhats Underfoot in a Riding Arena?Key Takeaways Many horse owners dream of owning a home riding arena or facility. Lucky youyour dream has come true. You have the barn, your horses are happily settled, and now youre eyeing that bare patch of ground and envisioning your dream riding arena. Many home horse riders make do with a sectioned off piece of ground near the barn that they affectionately call their arena. But this homespun effort is really an arena in name only. Without a good base and suitable arena footing, its difficult to make the going consistent enough for your horses health and safety. If you want a safe, workable arena that will hold you in good stead for years, its going to take planning, effort and, it must be said, an investment of resources. Copyright Robin Stott and licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons LicenseThe job of the base is to make a level surface to support the footing above. If the base is properly installed, there will never be low spots, deep spots or areas that collect water in your arena. The ideal footing helps cushion your horses every stride by allowing his hooves to slide just a little bit as he sets them down and provides a firm surface for his hooves to dig into as he pushes off. Leaving your ground as is will never provide these benefits, so as a result your horses performance will suffer because he wont be able to trust the footing, and he will remember, perhaps spook, at uneven spots. Without proper drainage, you may also find your home riding arena under water and unusable most of the time.Robert Malmgren, author of The Equine Arena Handbook: Developing a User-Friendly Facility, is considered the foremost authority on horse arenas. He says creating a riding arena at home on your own is very hard if not impossible because you need several players to help you avoid pitfalls.Making an arena seems like a lot of complications, but youll avoid mistakes if you plan right and employ the right people, explains Malmgren, who is from Colorado Springs, Colo. Mistakes are very costly to correct after the arena is installed. Proper Planning Prevents ProblemsBefore you put a shovel in the ground, sit down and get organized. Think about where you want to put the horse riding arena at home. Right next to the barn may seem convenient, but if that area collects water, think again. Drainage is an issue in every arena, so youll want to avoid land thats a perpetual pond, if possible. As we get into global warming and climate change, we are going to have some extremes in moisture, Malmgren adds. This year in Colorado weve had some very extreme rains with a long duration of storms. That kind of rain would inundate an arena with drainage problems. Next, you need to determine the soil type in the site. Malmgren says to seek free assistance through people at your local office of the Natural Resources Conservation Services. They are the governments soil people for the entire country, he says. Every county should have an office. Go in and tell them what youre building and ask about what kind of soil you have. They usually have the information at hand, and can tell you whether its possible to create an arena in that area. They also provide good information, such as the percentage of sand, silt, clay and gravel in your soil. They will often come out to your site. Make sure to have a plat map of your property with you so the NRCS officials can pinpoint the location. They might not be familiar with the arena characteristics you require, so tell them what you need to know: type of soil, three feet in depth. Also, ask if the soil is high in clay, which is important regarding water absorption and base stability. The next step is to obtain a permit. Getting a permit for a home riding arena might sound like overkill, but most counties require at least a grading permit if a certain amount of land is disturbed. You may also need an erosion and sediment control permit. You may not think you are disturbing that much land, but you will disturb twice as much earth as the size of your horse arena. Even if you dont think you need a permit, double check with your local government about its building inspection procedures because rules do change. If you begin building before proper approvals or inspections take place, your local governments building inspection department has the right to stop the construction until proper permits and procedures are met. Sometimes this includes paying fines and penalties.Youll need to get yet another expert on your sidea soil consultant. Soil consultants are engineers who understand all the ins and outs of working with soil. They are the ones called in to advise facilities such as baseball fields, golf courses and parking lots. Look for a soil consultant under listings for engineering consultants. The NRCS office may also recommend someone in your area. A soil consultant is important because youll be moving soil and hell know how to help you do that correctly, Malmgren says. He can look at the NRCSs information and tell you what you need to do to make the arena work for your situation. Starting at the Bottom: The BaseThe base is important for a successful horse riding arena. Bottom line: You will never have a good arena without an adequate base. Your soil consultant will help determine your base requirements and if the soil will form a stable base. The base should be about six inches below the surface, if its a stable base. If it isnt stable, you might have to bring in some crushed stone to create a firm base, Malmgren says. You want the base to be firm because it will create a level surface for the footing above. The stone will have to be rolled when installed to create maximum hardness and evenness, and so it stays in place. Your topsoil might make a good base and you can put your footing right on top of it, but thats the exception rather than the rule. Soil situations are different for everyone. It can even be vastly different within the same locale. One neighbor might have clay soil while another has sand. Some areas of the country are subject to frost heave where the ground expands in the winter, causing rocks to come up to the surface. In the spring youll find rocks on the surface, and youll have to pick them up every year. The soil consultant will tell you if frost heave might occur in your area. If you have frost heave, extra heavy rolling at the time of construction will help keep your base in place. The NRCS may also give you this information at no charge.Creating a Drain for a Riding ArenaAnyone who has had training interrupted because of a flooded arena knows how frustrating it is. Sinking money into a horse arena that sits underwater part of the year is a waste. Your soil consultant can help you avoid drainage issues. He or she will first determine what your soil is like from the surface down to three feet deep. So perhaps youll have three feet of pure clay or maybe six inches of loam and then six inches of sand, followed by gravel. This is important to understand because you need to know how your soil handles water, Malmgren says. For instance, a gravel layer is going to hold some water where clay will not. If you have heavy rains, youll know how much water youre going to be able to store before you have problems. And then during construction, youll know how to work with that. If your soil doesnt drain well, dont give up on your dream arena. There are ways you can limit flooding. You can install a French drain, which carries water away from the arena. There are several ways to create this type of drain for each area of the country. The NRCS and your consultant can help with water drainage issues.You can also crown the arena, so that water drains off it. Or you can raise the whole arena above ground level.Whats Underfoot in a Riding Arena?Many types of footing additives are on the market, from shredded felt to crumb rubber to poly microfibers, but most footing recipes begin with sand. And any old sand wont do. You want sand that will bind and hold together. Sand comes in a variety of shapes; some is sharp and angular, and some is rounded. Sand performs in different ways depending upon its characteristics. It can be slippery if its round, like tiny ball bearings. The round grain will act like beach sand and be unsteady underfoot. It will be difficult to move through it, particularly if its dry. Sharp sand binds together to hold better, which is the preferred footing for arenas. Look at your sand grains with a hand magnifying glass if you want to get down to details, so you know what youre getting, Malmgren says. Finding quality sand can be a challenge. If you have neighbors who have an arena, ask them if they are happy with their sand and where they got it. If your neighbor has a good riding arena and soil similar to yours, then you know that type of sand at your home will work for you. Also, ask how many inches your neighbor used. Footing depth ranges from two to six inches, depending upon your land situation and discipline. (For example, dressage riders generally prefer a shallower footing while reiners like deeper footing.) However, always use less footing than you think you will need. Its easier to add more than to remove. Sand by itself works well, but you need to be careful when watering. Too much water can flood the arena, making it unworkable for a long time. Wet sand is harder than dry sand, but very dry sand can be inefficient and create a dust problem. Footing additives can help to improve cushion and improve traction. They also clump sand together better and prevent compaction. Some may help prevent freezing and cut down on trenching along the walls of the arena. Additives also create footing that requires less harrowing and watering. When choosing any additive, make sure that its manufactured for riding arenas. Sometimes people use arenas as dumping grounds for horse manure and shavings. Although it can hold water well, manure creates a health issue for both humans and horses. The shavings also break down quickly and create a slippery surface. Most arenas with heavy use will have a rut with half of the footing falling out of the arena. Pulling the footing back in the arena is a killer, Malmgren says. Boards installed around the arena will solve the problem, he advises. Untreated, unpainted lumber is best. I dont like using any chemicals in an arena. If horses are turned out, they can gnaw on the boards. The height of the board depends upon the nature of your footing. If its a lot of footing, youll need bigger boards. Its best to use higher boards because you may need to add more footing later on. Grass (turf) arenas are suitable under the right circumstances, depending on your annual rainfall and the type of grass. Bunch grass doesnt make good footing because soil is in between the plants, creating an uneven surface, Malmgren says.Key TakeawaysIn this article, youve learned about building a horse arena and the DIY aspects of creating a home arena, including proper planning, the importance of the base and footing, drainage solutions, footing materials, maintenance, and grass arenas.Read on for tips on arena maintenance so that youre prepared to maintain your home riding arena.This article about building a home riding arena originally appeared in the September 2007 issue of Horse Illustrated. Click here to subscribe.The post How to Build a Riding Arena at Home appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

28 September 2024 Cheers echoed through the stands on day 3 of the WBFSH Studbooks Jumping Global Champions Trophy at the Longines Tops International Arena as the 8 year old 1.45m Final got underway.   The atmosphere was electric as the Selle Français team galloped into the ring. First up for the team was Sara Brionne and Grand Duc du Paradiso (Vagabond de la Pomme x Toulon)....

Halloween SpooktacularShow Jumping incorporating Pony Club Spring Festival Qualifiers, Obstacles and fancy dressSomething for everyone, rosettes and prizes for all our little competitorsWhen entering ...

29 September 2024 Team Belgium at the podium of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup 2024 in Lignières (FRA). (L-R) Lara de Liedekerke-Meier; Senne Vervaecke; Wouter de Cleene; Seppe Vilain. © FEI/ Libby Law Photography A challenging Cross-Country course meant that the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ at Lignières (FRA) was never going to rest on Dressage scores. The Belgian...

By: United States Dressage Federation September 25, 2024 Lexington, KY The 2024Great AmericanInsurance Group (GAIG)/United States Dressage Federation (USDF)was held at World Equestrian Center Ocala (WEC) on September 18-22. Held for the first time at WEC Ocala, Region 3 riders competed to qualify through to the US Dressage Finals presented byAdequan, which will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in[...]Read MoreThe post Age Is No Barrier For Evergreen Fiti AL in 2024 USDF Region 3 Championship at WEC Ocala appeared first on World Equestrian Center.

View this post on InstagramA post shared by Stable View (@stableviewaiken)On the eve of the first night of Oktoberfest, Hurricane Helene hit Aiken. When the sun rose in the morning there was no power, no running water, and most roads were impassable. Aiken was left in the path of destruction with downed trees and power lines. Stable View itself was littered with fallen trees, destroyed gazebos, and debris. However, with the hard work of many officials and volunteers, Stable View was quickly cleaned up (at least enough to be able to run competition). By Friday evening, the cross country course looked as good as new thanks to the efforts of many volunteers and competitors who pitched in during the clean-up process. As a result of the hurricane the decision was made to cancel competition on Friday. Stable Views secretary worked for hours on end to recreate the schedule in the format of a two-day show. After almost finishing she had to make amendments due to the curfew that was put in place by Aiken County. This curfew prohibited any non-essential workers from being on the roads from 7:30 pm Friday night until 7:30 am Saturday morning. Due to this new schedule the FEI Divisions as well as the Advanced, Intermediate, and Preliminary divisions ran as one-days today with Modified riders completing their dressage. In the CCI4*-S, Lucienne Bellissimo held the lead from start to finish with Horse Scout Eventings Dyri. She started with a 26.3 in dressage before jumping double clear over Chris Barnards show jumping track. On cross country, Lucienne managed to only add four time penalties to finish on a 30.3. Initially placed in second, Phillip Dutton and The Possante Groups Possante finished in fourth after taking his time around Helen Wests cross country. Lucienne was in third place following dressage and show jumping. After also adding some time she finished in fifth with Tremanton. Canadian Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge ultimately finished in second after being the fastest cross country ride of the day coming in eight seconds over optimum time. Aiken-based Emily Hamel and Corvett rounded out the top three on their score of 40.8.In the CCI3*-S, Cole Horn and MBF Cooley Permission To Land made their way up the leaderboard after initially starting in 11th. After double clear show jumping and cross country rounds they finished in first on a 34.7. After making the long haul from California, Tamie Smith added a second and third place finish to her resume, with Pierres Farceur du Bochard finishing second and Sumas Tina Turner finishing third. Madison Temkin and Fernhill Bertus won the CCI2*-S on their dressage score of 30.5. Phillip Dutton and Cooley Starship finished second adding only 2.8 time penalties on Helen Wests course on a 33.8. Cole Horn had a good day in the office; after winning the three-star he finished in third place in the two-star on The Wellerman with a score of 34.1. In light of everything Stable View extends their thoughts to everyone who has been affected by Hurricane Helene. Stable View hopes that this show gives some feeling of normalcy for riders, grooms, and their families. We hope this can be used as a light at what will be a long period of clean-up.Stable View Oktoberfest 2/3/4* & H.T. (SC):[Website] [Scores]

An owners doctor is reluctant to give her joint injections too often, but her horse gets them every six months. Is that cause for concern?The post Are Frequent Joint Injections Safe for Horses? appeared first on The Horse.

How to Write a Horse Loan AgreementDownloadHorse Loan Agreement Template HereLoaning a horse can be one of the best decisions you make as an owner or borrower. But like any agreement that involves a beloved animal, it requires careful consideration and planning. Without a clear and concise horse loan agreement, things can get messy quicker than you can say, "wheres my saddle?" So, in this guide, well break down everything you need to know about crafting the perfect horse loan agreement.Why You Need a Horse Loan AgreementFirst things first, why do you even need a horse loan agreement? Well, imagine this scenario: youve loaned out your horse, and the borrower decides to turn your jumper into a Western barrel racer. No agreement means no protections for you or your horse. A horse loan agreement acts as a legally binding document that lays out the terms, responsibilities, and expectations of both the owner and the borrower. It prevents misunderstandings and protects both parties should any disputes arise.As reported by the American Horse Council, the horse industry contributes a staggering $40 billion to the U.S. economy, which makes protecting your equine investment through a well-drafted agreement essential.Key Components of a Horse Loan AgreementBefore diving into the specifics, its important to know that every agreement will look slightly different depending on your circumstances. But no matter what, there are a few key components that every horse loan agreement should have.1. Personal DetailsThe agreement should start with the names and contact details of both parties. This includes the owner and the borrower. Be sure to add detailed information about the horse, such as name, breed, age, sex, and markings. You dont want any ambiguity here!2. Loan Type and DurationIs this a full loan or a part loan? A full loan typically gives the borrower full control over the horse, while a part loan might mean shared responsibilities. Be clear about what the loan entails. Also, make sure to include the start and end dates of the loan. If its an open-ended agreement, state how much notice either party needs to give to end the loan.3. Financial ResponsibilitiesWhos paying for what? This is where things can get tricky, so be specific. Financial responsibilities could include livery fees, feed, bedding, veterinary care, farrier services, and insurance premiums. Make sure both parties are clear on these details. Also, include any fees the borrower needs to pay to the owner.4. Care and ManagementHeres where you outline the day-to-day care of the horse. Its important to include details on feeding schedules, exercise routines, veterinary appointments, grooming, and even how often the horse should see a farrier. Dont leave anything to guesswork.5. Use of the HorseWhat will the borrower be allowed to do with the horse? Can they compete? Breed? Make sure these details are clearly outlined. If the horse is only allowed for specific activities, such as dressage or hacking, put that in writing to avoid any confusion.6. InsuranceInsurance is an absolute must. State who will be responsible for insuring the horse and what type of insurance is required, whether its third-party liability, mortality insurance, or something else. Also, outline the minimum coverage amounts and who will be responsible for paying the premiums.7. Visitation RightsAs an owner, you may want to check in on your horse from time to time. Make sure to outline any visitation rights in the agreement so both parties are clear about how often, and when, these visits can occur.8. Termination ClauseNo one likes to think about the end of a good thing, but its important to include a termination clause. This will specify how the agreement can be ended, under what conditions, and how much notice needs to be given.9. Dispute ResolutionIf things go south, its best to have a plan in place for resolving disputes. Consider including a clause that outlines mediation or legal steps if necessary.10. Special ConditionsEach horse is unique, and so is each loan agreement. If there are special conditions that apply to your horsesuch as dietary needs or health considerationsbe sure to include them in the agreement.Tips for Creating an Effective Horse Loan AgreementNow that you know the key components, lets go over a few tips to make your agreement as strong and bulletproof as possible.1. Be ComprehensiveLeave no stone unturned. The more comprehensive your agreement, the less room there is for misunderstandings. Dont shy away from including specific details for every aspect of the horses care and use.2. Use Clear LanguageIts tempting to use fancy legal jargon, but clarity is key. Use plain language to avoid any potential confusion. You want both parties to fully understand what they are agreeing to.3. Seek Professional AdviceWhen in doubt, consult a solicitor who specializes in equine law. They can help you ensure that your agreement is both legally sound and tailored to your specific needs. Its better to spend a little now on advice than face bigger legal bills down the line.4. Include a Trial PeriodNot sure if the loan will work out? Consider including a trial period in your agreement. This allows both parties to see if the arrangement is suitable without committing long-term.5. Regular ReviewsMake it a habit to review the agreement periodically. Horses, and circumstances, can change over time. Regular reviews will allow you to adjust the agreement as needed.6. Document the Horses ConditionInclude a detailed description of the horses health and condition at the start of the loan. If disputes arise later, this document can serve as an important reference.ConclusionA well-written horse loan agreement can save you a lot of headaches down the line. It protects both the owner and the borrower, ensures clear communication, and provides a framework for resolving any issues that may arise. By including all the components discussed above and following the tips provided, youll be well on your way to creating a comprehensive and effective horse loan agreement.As always, while templates can be a great starting point, remember to tailor the agreement to your specific situation. And when in doubt, dont hesitate to seek professional legal advice.

View this post on InstagramA post shared by Little Downham Horse Trials (@littledownhamht)Theres been a whole heck of a lot of eventing over the weekend and heres a recap of the section winners at Englands Little Downham Horse Trials, which tends to be a choice prep run for Paus CCI5*. Top of our list of poignant wins at the Cambridgeshire fixture? A CCI3* victory for Jesse Campbell and Speedwell, who he took on from wife Georgie after her tragic passing earlier this year. Go get em, our lad.National Holiday:Its International Podcast Day! To celebrate,heres a recent one from our pals at Eventing Weekly arguably our sports silliest pod offering.U.S. Weekend Action:Stable View Oktoberfest 2/3/4* & H.T. (SC):[Website][Results]Spokane Sport Horse 10th Annual Fall H.T. (WA): [Website] [Results]Jump Start H.T. (KY): [Website] [Results]Sundance Farm H.T. (WI): [Website] [Results]Tomora H.T. (CO): [Website][Results]ESDCTA New Jersey H.T. (NJ): [Website] [Results]Old Tavern H.T. (VA): [Website][Results]Fleur de Leap H.T. (LA): [Website][Results]Course Brook Farm Fall H.T. (MA): [Website] [Results]Major International Events:FEI Nations Cup Lignires (France): [Website] [Results]Your Monday Reading List:Need a bit of escapism on this rainy Monday morning?Head to Indonesia with Gemma Redrup ofHorse&Hound, who enjoyed the press trip of dreams riding native ponies in the surf of Sumba. Just dont read the nitty gritty about costs, nestled into the end of the piece, too closely. Head to the beach here.I unapologeticallyadore Jilly Cooper.Yes, some of her jokes are a little bit, well,of her generation.Sure, some of her heartthrobs are actual total shits. Yes, the whole thing is deeply silly and summarily makes fun of every layer of the British class system. And you know what? If you take it with a pinch of salt, her oeuvre is nearly-perfect fluffy reading, andRiders is practically must-read stuff for entry into the British horse scene. (I listen to the audiobook of it every time Im in the lorry, confessed a male five-star rider to me recently.) The Guardian sat down with the Dame of Dirty Books to find out more about here. You know this is going to be brilliant when the 87-year-old starts off proceedings by asking her interviewer if hes good in bed.Okay, okay, onto some serious stuff.Are you thinking about putting on a clinic or several! this winter? Done right, these can be great earners and brilliant educational experiences for all the participants. But its not quite as simple as just picking a big name and putting a date in the diary. USEA has plenty of tips for really robust clinic-planning, and theyll be a massive help while you flesh out those winter plans. Check them out here.And finally, a heart warmer.Im always a sucker for a good Century Club story, because theyre so often brilliantly multilayered and such a wonderful showcase of why we all love this sport on such an innate level. And this one, featuring two friends who joined the Club together? Well, thats even better, because theres something really special about the enduring power of female friendship, and especially lifelong horse-girl friendship. I dare you not to fall in love with these two women and their sweet horses.Morning Viewing:Lignieres Nations Cup cross-country, in full? Oh, go on then.

By Jean Llewellyn (press release) Photography: Hannoveraner Verband It was a sensational year for the Hannoveraner Verband during the annual Bundeschampionat in Warendorf, with no fewer than nine Bundeschampions, five vice-champions and four third-place finishes. With these phenomenal results, the 2024 Bundeschampionate in Warendorf became a veritable Hannoveraner festival. Riding horses The first Bundeschampion []The post Hanoverian Verband finishes on top at the Bundeschampionat appeared first on Breeding News for Sport Horses.