Sooo is a sand paddock worth it for just a small yard?

M

Moobucket

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 October 2011
Messages
368
Visit site
I have a small yard (7 stables) and have been thinking long and hard about putting in an arena. I got a quote for a 20 by 40 at the weekend by a good company (KLH arenas) of 25K (bit of a shock to the system) :eek:... but I thought I'd get some opinion on whether it's worth the money. There is good hacking around and at the moment people school in a corner of a relatively flat field. Do you get alot of use for your sand paddock? Would you be without it? Should i bite the bullet? Any anecodotes or opinions gratefully received.
 
Without a doubt they are an investment and I have no idea how i coped without mine! But having said that I did for a lot of years as do other people. 25k is a lot of money, shop about a bit. Perhaps you dont need such a sophisticated one, cheaper sand etc.... Are there local people who could do the ground work for you? All worth looking into.
 
Do your liveries want one?
Would they use it if you put one in?
Would you use it regularly?

If you don't particularly want one for your own use and people are quite happy to livery with you without one, I'd save your pennies.
 
I'd use it (but trying not to think or me) and I think it'd make life alot easier for people on the yard. There are some horses that would benefit from a bit of intensive schooling and having a smaller area where you can let them loose and do a bit of ground work.

If you were paying about £20 a week for a 12ft x 13ft stable and a nice field would you expect one for the price?

What sort of price is average for a 20 x 40 arena ?

I've looked into building my own and i've heard horror stories about it going wrong, people getting the wrong surface etc etc. It seems fairly complex?
 
KLH put mine in 9 yrs ago. They do a super job. I don't have any liveries, just me & my horse & pony but without my arena I could hardly do any riding! Hacking is 'your life in drivers hands' where I live so we have to box to off road places & the field can get very muddy even in summer. I put in 20x40 & would advise anyone to borrow the extra money & put in 20x60. I'm saving up to have mine extended. If you make enquiries you could probably find a local contractor to give you a better price.
 
For £20 i would be looking for somewhere with an arena (im in NI though so preices may be differerent here)

I think £25k is awfully expensive, my OH put an arena in for me at out last house, it was an odd size due to where i put it (30m x 55m) and only cost around 6k. He is a building contractor so i suppose got a lot of stuff cost price & did most of the work himself or with the help of friends. It was a super job, esp im winter when it never froze as draining was so good! I woud look around & im sure you can get a great one built loads cheaper!
 
6 K!? Wow! I didn't even know you could get the materials for that? Blimey! I'll keep looking then! I can't belive how different the prices are! :rolleyes:
 
Don't know where you are as livery costs vary so much, but I have been at yards before where, rather than make everyone pay (even if they don't use the school) the people who wanted to school paid extra (think it was £10/12 per month on top of DIY). We also used to hire out to individuals and RC. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top