New manège

[visa_bot]

Hi. I’m hoping to get planning permission soon for a new 40 x 20 manège. In an ideal World I would just get a company to do everything but I don’t have the money for that. My partner and I are fit and healthy and so I intend to do as much as possible ourselves. I was hoping to get some input on what others have done themselves and what they got professionals to do, and how much they ended up spending?

The land is already pretty flat, and there is an existing drainage channel running alongside. I’m thinking that I need somebody with a digger to take the top layer off and put in drainage, but then we could put boards around the edge. I’m sure we can put membranes down and spread out and level the surface (I’m going for chopped carpet). I don’t need a fence around the edge so that will help keep costs down. I’m not sure about the hardcore bit in the middle. You need to compact it down so will likely need a machine but may be able to hire one.

i would be really grateful for other peoples experiences for building their own school. I’m going to have to borrow the money so I need a fairly accurate estimate before I start. I will get some quotes from companies but I’m pretty sure that will be too expensive.

Thank you in advance

 

[nicolenlolly]

there are some really great videos online. This website is also great

Riding Arena Construction Guide | Mainland Aggregates Ltd

Learn From The Professionals On To How To Build A Riding Arena. At Mainland Aggregates, We Have Put Together A Riding Arena Construction Guide. Read More.

www.mainlandaggregates.co.uk

 

[Muddywellies]

I would personally do the groundwork myself but leave the rest to the experts. You don't want problems down the line such as the membrane coming up. (,the edges are sewn or welded together but I wouldn't know how exactly). Also, I haven't seen a successful chopped carpet surface yet. It just doesnt work as a serious arena surface.

 

[Maxidoodle]

OP, really do your research before you start. We overhauled our arena the UK and took lots of advice, when finished the arena was so bad, everything had to come up and we had to start from scratch again (we had been told the chopped carpet could be laid over the existing surface and boy where they wrong, we had to take all the carpet up again, dig the existing surface out, re-membrane and relaid the carpet. Our chopped carpet (from the same manufacturer of flexiride) wasn’t cheap and it was dreadful. It never meshed together like they said it would, we could break through to the membrane easily, despite it being a thick surface. The surface just shifts the minute a horse goes on it.

We were told over and over it would be fine on its own once bedded in, it NEVER bedded in and was a dangerous surface. We ended up laying 20 tonnes of silica over the top and only then did it start to become rideable. Took a very long time to bed in, even with the silica on top. Few years later, I’m told it’s doing ok. I’d never do a carpet based surface again, would always now opt for silica and an additive (stops the silica riding too deep).

Also, if you’re determined to go for a standalone carpet surface, you’ll need a fence, preferably with a wind proof mesh on it, we were forever retrieving huge clumps of the surface from our garden and driveway, it blows around.

 

[blitznbobs]

Membrane needs to be melted together you can do this with a flame thrower . It is usually the stone that costs the most and dont skimp on it as you will end up an arena that cant be ridden on cos its too soggy. It is definitely doable if uou know about ground works its basically a massive soak away with a couple of membranes and a surface and their are loads of guides on line. You do need some big machinery though so factor in hire of that if you dont have any.

We used a premixed silica and fibre surface and it rides really well . But if you arent going to bother with some form of watering system go with something with a bit if wax in it

 

[Maxidoodle]

Membrane needs to be melted together you can do this with a flame thrower . It is usually the stone that costs the most and dont skimp on it as you will end up an arena that cant be ridden on cos its too soggy. It is definitely doable if uou know about ground works its basically a massive soak away with a couple of membranes and a surface and there e are loads of guides on line. You do need some big machinery though so factor in hire of that if you dont have any.

We bought some special spray glue in large cans for our membrane, it was very good. OP, make sure you use the right membranes, from memory there are two layers, they have to be a special type of permeable membranes (from memory I think two different ones. Yes, I had totally forgotten the cost of the stone, we had over 40 tonnes of crush and run delivered and it was Very expensive (we had contacted a company who claimed to specialise in clean hardcore for arenas, he came to tip it and I had to stop him as it was full of wire and other crap, I wasn’t prepared to use that under any circumstances, find your nearest quarry and don’t try to cut corners. I agree with getting the biggest machinery you can, we did ours with a mini digger and small dumper and due to access, everything had to be delivered onto the house driveway and moved by dumper down the track to the arena.

 

[asmp]

Can’t add much but recently used a chopped carpet arena - not only was it incredibly deep but it had bits of broken metal carpet grippers in it. Didn’t go there again.

 

[TheMule]

It’s very easily done if you have a decent groundworks person with a machine. I did mine myself for 16k including a fair amount of landscaping, fencing and mirrors.
I would advise a proper sand base to your surface though- carpet can ride really unstable and you risk getting through to the membrane

 

[visa_bot]

Thank you all for your help, it is all great advice. Generally carpet doesn't seem to get a good review, but I have been hiring an arena close to me that has carpet and rides great. Maybe there are different kinds of carpet. This picture was taken last weekend (obviously not me riding !) and shows the lovely carpet surface. I will make sure I find out where she bought hers from.

 

[Equi]

That carpet will also have silica sand mixed in with it probably. Maintenance is the key, regular wetting down and levelling required (so add an arena leveller to your list)

 

[kathantoinette]

The labour is actually a small part of the cost. It’s the sheer price of materials and haulage to bring them in which makes the job expensive and do not scrimp on the quality of materials.

 

[Maxidoodle]

OP, that looks like a silica sand arena with a stabilising fibre/carpet additive. Either that or it is carpet with tons of sand and it has been ridden in a lot. Doesn’t look like a standalone carpet surface. If you like her arena, definitely ask her everything you can about it. This is a picture for comparison of our arena with just the shredded carpet down (same as Flexiride), you can see the complete difference in colour and consistency.

 

[visa_bot]

That carpet will also have silica sand mixed in with it probably. Maintenance is the key, regular wetting down and levelling required (so add an arena leveller to your list)

Thank you, I do know that all she does for maintenance is roll it, we already have a small tractor so I do need to get a roller but at least they aren't too expensive.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Someone sent me a link for a menage kit price offer it was from carpet gallop equestrian might be worth having a look I can't seem to link it here as from WhatsApp.

 

[visa_bot]

Someone sent me a link for a menage kit price offer it was from carpet gallop equestrian might be worth having a look I can't seem to link it here as from WhatsApp.

Thank you very much, I will look at that, sounds like it would help to know you are getting the right stuff.

 

[EventingMum]

Do your research into suppliers very carefully. As a previous poster has said there are some carpet surfaces that have been badly contaminated with metal etc. Silica sand and fibre would be my preference which is what your picture looks like but again the correct sand is essential for drainage. Taking advice from the arena owner that you use would be good as you know it works in the area you live in terms of rainfall etc. As others have said correct drains are essential, a good surface can be ruined by bad drainage. Hours of research will most definitely pay off!

 

[PeterNatt]

My advice is to get a company with a good reputation (check to see their work) to do the whole thing and don't use carpet.

I have seen so many do-it-yourself arenas that have failed and cost a fortune to rectify.

 

[catembi]

Do not do what I did at my last house: www.cheapmanege.weebly.com . Don't try to scrimp or you will regret it!

My new arena at my current house was put in by a drainage specialist who understands the nightmare which is heavy clay. Our surface is EconomyTrack which I am finding very good. Not that I get out of walk currently, but meh.

 

[millitiger]

I have carpet from Foleys Equestrian and it is brilliant- very stable, never freezes, we just roll it once a month.
I jump 1.10m on it and schooling Medium and don't have issues with it being deep or moving.

I have a 25 x 45 and it cost us around £14k, everything done ourselves except hiring a man with a digger.
We also hired a road roller to get everything absolutely level and you do need to spend the extra on drainage and get really good, clean stone.

This is mine, couldn't be happier with it.



Please research the company Carpet Gallop very carefully on Google and Facebook before parting with any money.

 

[visa_bot]

I have carpet from Foleys Equestrian and it is brilliant- very stable, never freezes, we just roll it once a month.
I jump 1.10m on it and schooling Medium and don't have issues with it being deep or moving.

I have a 25 x 45 and it cost us around £14k, everything done ourselves except hiring a man with a digger.
We also hired a road roller to get everything absolutely level and you do need to spend the extra on drainage and get really good, clean stone.

This is mine, couldn't be happier with it.
View attachment 112482


Please research the company Carpet Gallop very carefully on Google and Facebook before parting with any money.

Thank you, it’s great to hear a success story.

 

[stimpy]

I have carpet from Foleys Equestrian and it is brilliant- very stable, never freezes, we just roll it once a month.
I jump 1.10m on it and schooling Medium and don't have issues with it being deep or moving.

I have a 25 x 45 and it cost us around £14k, everything done ourselves except hiring a man with a digger.
We also hired a road roller to get everything absolutely level and you do need to spend the extra on drainage and get really good, clean stone.

@millitiger I am looking at a quote for rubber from Foley's at the moment as I am looking for a top up for my rubber and sand arena. How did you find them to deal with as a company? PM if you prefer.

 

[millitiger]

@millitiger I am looking at a quote for rubber from Foley's at the moment as I am looking for a top up for my rubber and sand arena. How did you find them to deal with as a company? PM if you prefer.

Absolutely superb to deal with- efficient helpful, easy to get hold of, really helpful with organising freight etc.
Couldn't recommend them more.

 

[stimpy]

Absolutely superb to deal with- efficient helpful, easy to get hold of, really helpful with organising freight etc.
Couldn't recommend them more.

Thanks very much. That's been my impression so far but very good to have it confirmed, especially with so many dodgy companies to avoid.