Arenas / Manège

CPP Equestrian can help you design and construct your horse Arena / Manège from start to finish or renovate an existing set up you have, from ground works to drainage through to the right choice of surface. Whether the Arena surface is for Show Jumping, Dressage, Polo or any other horse riding disciplines contact CPP Equestrian first or last for an initial competitive quotation before site visit and honest advice on building your Manège.

More information on Arena Surface types and Drainage below.

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Arena Surfaces

Wood fibre - Wood Chip.

Wood fibre is produced especially for equestrian surfaces and usually consists of smaller particles, whereas wood chip can be anything out of a timber merchant’s chipper. A wood-based surface is less prone to freezing than sand.

Best Uses

Wood chip and wood fibre can be used for indoor or outdoor arenas as well as other equestrian surfaces gallops, lungeing rings, turn-out paddocks and horse walkers.

Useful Arena surface information

Of all the arena surfaces, wood chip and wood fibre are the least durable and have the shortest lifespan. Another disadvantage of wood chip is that it can become slippery when it dries out, so it needs regular watering. If the drainage conditions are not good, the arena can also become waterlogged.

Lifetime expectancy

Good quality wood fibre outdoor arena between 4 and 10 years, depending on usage. Wood chip has a similar life expectancy, depending on the type of wood. However, it is not necessary to buy a new surface every few years; a top-up layer can be added.

Rubber Chips.

A longer lasting alternative to wood chip or fibre is small pieces of rubber chip. A rubber-based surface requires less maintenance, and is less likely to become waterlogged or dry out. Rubber surfaces do not freeze and is dust free But while it’s good for outdoor arenas it is not generally recommended for indoor use. Rubber surfaces cannot be used entirely on their own. They need a base, and sand, ideally silica sand, is best.

Best Uses

Outdoor arenas, particularly for jumping, since it is less likely to result in skidding when horses land or concussion injuries.

Useful Arena surface information

If you want to change your arena surface in the future, rubber is not biodegradable and may be expensive to get rid of.

Lifetime expectancy

Pretty much indestructible if maintained according to manufacturers’ guidelines, such as keeping the surface levelled in horse arena.

Sand and Sand Mixes.

Sand used for arenas is silica sand, which is natural but more durable than most. Horses can travel on top of this type of surface rather than moving through it.

Best Uses

Good for galloping. Many all-weather racetracks are sand-based.

Useful Arena surface information

Sand starts the “emery board effect” as soon as it is laid, with the natural process and grinds against itself. Through the action of hooves, it gradually gets finer, becoming progressively deeper. Also, sand alone is not an all-weather surface and can freeze in winter. If your surface is unwaxed, it will need to be watered during dry weather for optimum performance.

Lifetime expectancy

Usually a minimum of five years.

Waxed Surfaces and Coating.

Surfaces that have been treated with a wax coating, usually sand mixed with synthetic fibres, have particles that bind together more effectively and there is less surface movement.

They need less maintenance than their unwaxed counterparts. The more sophisticated products have been developed to emulate turf as closely as possible, allowing for “bounce” and absorption of impact.

Drainage

Ground works and drainage is the most important part of building your arena.

Ideally if you can place the arena on higher ground drainage cost will be greatly reduced. Arena/Manage drainage is installed by creating a series of trenches, perforated pipe is then placed in the trenches and then backfilled with shingle/gravel that will allow water to seep through whilst preventing the arena surface fines entering the drainage system.

As a minimum there should at least one drain that spans the arena with drains running the perimeter on all sides.