Thinking of building an arena, how far from the house should it be to avoid dust issues? I have a long narrow lot, backyard is 100 ft, then 250 foot paddock, then barn/runs, then another 400 foot paddock. The arena could go in either paddock. We are thinking of putting a pool in the backyard.
Our quonset barn with overhang is 140’ West of the house, the covered arena is 85’ North of that barn.
The fire department inspector came when we called and made suggestions, considering main wind direction and traffic for emergency vehicles.
He said general recommendations is to have a minimum of 100’ feet around buildings to protect one from another if a fire happens and to permit emergency vehicles to get around them if fighting a fire.
We have a few big water troughs in the pastures by the house the police trucks can use to fill their water tanks.
Don’t know where you are, but if you have to clear snow in the winter, may want to consider that also.
Our 14’0 from house to barn to go feed in a blizzard and with big drifts can get iffy, I get beached in the larger drifts.
consider prevailing winds as mentioned. consider what you have to walk past (a field with fractious horses?). COnsider how you will get footing trucks in, and drag/groomer. COnsider where water is available.
1 Like
Mine is about mmmm… 90’ from corner of house to corner of arena. We get wind, it mostly blows away from the house toward the arena or the road, not vice versa. I also have a narrow lot, only 400’ wide, house and barn are set 100’ from the road and 200ish’ from each other. Arena is probably 150ish’ from the road and between the arena and the barn, if that makes sense?
Consider all other items, and be sure to water to keep dust down.
1 Like
We a times have to fight dust blown in from the Sahara Desert … its 7,000 miles away
3 Likes
Lived in a house next to an arena. House was coated with arena dust. The windows on that side were – well, not so clear.
This property had bushes & low trees that blocked much of the dust from the rest of the yard.
When lessons were going on in the arena, a cloud of dust was floating past every window and door.
I’ve been to clinics at a farm where the indoor arena was built into the side of the house and the owners could sit in their living room and view the arena through sliding glass doors.
2 Likes
on those lines, our horses if in the backyard would come onto the patio to watch TV through the floor to ceiling windows
1 Like
My point was to keep the dust down. It’s not good for you or your horse.
I would go with the nearer of the two personally. Especially if you plan to ride alone often and someone could periodically check on you from the house by looking out the window once in a while.
My outdoor is about 30 feet from my back door and I couldn’t be happier. My footing is not particularly dusty so I don’t have that consideration, but which way does the wind blow? Put the arena down wind of whatever you don’t want dusty.
2 Likes
This is what I was toying with. Potential dust issues vs visibility from the house. The prevailing wind would be from the house so I think nearby would be ok.
1 Like
My daughter’s ring is about 20’ from her house. Dust is not an issue. She is the only person who rides in the ring and she waters the ring if it doesn’t rain for a while.
The short side of my outdoor is only 60’ from the garage side of the house and I’ve never had any issues with dust. I don’t water it because it seems extravagant when I’m the only one riding. The only time the dust ever blows around enough to be bothersome is when I’m dragging, so I try to avoid doing that when it’s super dry.
