Personal arena - flatwork / no jumper - would you do 70ft x 100ft or 60ft x 120ft?
Mostly always green horses in training 
The widest you can manage, will do with whatever length you build now, leaving if possible a way to add later, if needed?
A trainer here built a 100’ x 100’ and intended to add later.
Had clinics and all kinds of smaller events in there and said it is not ideal, but you can make it work, so never felt the need to add more.
4 Likes
Got kicked out before I could finish my post.
That one trainer had left two sides closed, two open, one had curtains, the other didn’t get any weather so it was open without curtains.
If it comes down to cost, the more width, the higher the cost by way more.
70’ wide may be one price, 80’ will be way more, 100’ even more than just adding same cost per foot more.
The material will need to be heavier and so more costly.
If adding width makes it cost prohibitive, then going with more length will give you more square feet at lesser cost than more width will be.
1 Like
I have an 85x130, and it’s a pretty good size for me. I can jump in it fairly easily.
1 Like
I agree with going wider if those are the only two options, especially with young horses.
6 Likes
Of the choices, 70x100
4 Likes
I’d want it at least 65’ wide to do a 20 meter circle. Especially with green horses, I don’t want to add tight circles to the already difficult concept of learning to balance at the canter with a human.
My personal arena is about 80x200 but it wouldn’t really have to be that long to still get quality work done.
3 Likes
I would go longer and narrow. Is this ring outside or under cover? We do a variety of things in our outside arena, and I hate spending all my time turning in short arenas. It is much larger than this. 300’ x 90’, but that is not far on a big moving horse in extended trot, cantering or galloping. Only a few strides on the long side before the corner is there AGAIN. Hard to get your best FORWARD when you have to keep slowing him down to turn.
1 Like
My indoor arena is 60x140 and it feels MUCH wider than the supposed 66’ width of the dressage arenas at events. I would go longer, especially if you do leg yields or other lateral work. I noticed how nice the 160’ length of one barn was after the 80x120 arena in the previous barn. I wanted to build 160’ length, but turned 10’ into another stall and chopped 10’ to save money.
I think 66x120 and 60x160 arenas were about the same price 4 years ago.
1 Like
I would go longer - if you have a horse with a big step, he will eat up that 100’ (even the 120) long side in a few strides.
1 Like
Adding length is cheaper than adding width.
Go as wide as budget allows now.
I have 60X120 & when my 17H+ WB was cantering in there he ate up the short walls pretty quick!
1 Like
Length for sure. My arena was literally just installed and I’ve had exactly ONE ride in it so far (work and now heat haha), and it’s 70x150 and I wish it were longer. But for a private arena, some jumping, it’s great. Any shorter and yeah, you’ll never get going before having to slow and collect again.
1 Like
I went wider vs. longer and have been happy with my decision (mine is 100 x 150.) However, you can always mark out the two options and ride in the marked area to see what you prefer.
2 Likes
