building a cost effective arena

[parkside]

Ok I know there is no such thing as a cheap arena but I need some help with the surface......We are going to put in a 40x20, however it will only be used for lunging, longreining and loosejumping 3yr olds and will get approx 3 hrs use per week. The loosejumping will be pretty minimal - just a talent indicator. The school is unlikely to ever be ridden on. (The 3 yr olds get about 20 mins each 3 x per wk)

We will need to drain extremely well as on heavy clay so resigned to a significant investment there. However I am keen to keep costs as low as possible on the surface without comprimising the horses in anyway.

All suggestions gratefully received - OH has digger and dumper etc and has built quite a few arenas for customers but surface costs were scary and all were getting intensive ridden use.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Well you don't say if its inside or outside

well once you got the base ready you could ( if you use it ) use cushion bed - aubiose- easy bed - comfybed etc as its going to get wet anyway if outside you could remove the droppings when you muck out and then put the damp shaving in the arena so its like recycling . I might do that for our round pen its makes a good surface for lunging without the expense as you paid already

We are going to put a membrane down they recycle the bedding as i use all above except aubiose