Kick boards in Arena

[Cam Eq]

Hi,
I am planning on building an outdoor arena soon. My question is, what are the pros and cons of using just kickboards and no fencing? It would just be for flatwork and in an enclosed field. Also, what height would the boards need to be and how for under ground? Thanks

 

[ycbm]

My boards don't go underground at all and are 2 planks, 16 inches high.

I don't have a fence because horses can mentally 'lean on' the fence and then be difficult to keep straight without one. I have electric rope a couple of metres away to keep the horses off it.

One con is that you can't then use it to loose school unless the horse respects the boundary, which the only one I've done that with did, but my arena is on a bank. It can't be used for a turnout area either.

 

[Tiddlypom]

If you have wild bunnies you will need a fence with netting on, or the feckers will destroy your arena.

 

[silv]

My boards don't go underground at all and are 2 planks, 16 inches high.

I don't have a fence because horses can mentally 'lean on' the fence and then be difficult to keep straight without one. I have electric rope a couple of metres away to keep the horses off it.

One con is that you can't then use it to loose school unless the horse respects the boundary, which the only one I've done that with did, but my arena is on a bank. It can't be used for a turnout area either.

This pretty much sums it up.

 

[ycbm]

If you have wild bunnies you will need a fence with netting on, or the feckers will destroy your arena.

This is a very good point. I do spend time putting bunny scrapes back, and we don't have any big bunny problem, just one or two every spring/summer that eventually get got by foxes or badgers.

I would still put the buny fence away from the arena if it was mine.

 

[Cam Eq]

I have a separate arena for turn out and no bunnies so that will be ok. I like the idea that horses don’t depend on the fence for straightness at home therefore they don’t fall apart without a fence at shows. How do you secure the planks so that they are strong and long lasting?

 

[ycbm]

I have a separate arena for turn out and no bunnies so that will be ok. I like the idea that horses don’t depend on the fence for straightness at home therefore they don’t fall apart without a fence at shows. How do you secure the planks so that they are strong and long lasting?

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