Wwyd -- trailer or arena?

[Fleurdelis]

Having had my horses home for about a year now, I’ve been without a trailer or riding arena. I’ve been squirreling away what money I can to purchase a new trailer within the next year with the thought that I’d trailer out to my trainer’s for lessons, out to trail ride, a neighbor’s that charges to use her arena, etc., but now I’m thinking I should shift focus and install the arena first and then continue to save to get a trailer later. I find myself riding just a few times a month and with an arena I can get back to riding 3 times a week regardless of weather. I have a flat grass area that I ride in but riding on it depends heavily on dry, not-too-hard, not-too-soft conditions (I’m in the NE with four seasons). Pros to getting an arena first are to ride whenever I feel without having to pay (lesson or rent arena time) and convenience. Pros to getting a trailer first are to have it in case of emergency and freedom to ride out and not get bored with my backyard. The area for arena would be the size of a small dressage arena 20x40. I mostly do flatwork and small jumps.

Question: Which would you prioritize and purchase first – a trailer or arena? Thanks in advance!

[She_s_Pure_Gold]

I faced this same decision a few years ago. I ended up buying a trailer, and have no regrets. For one, I was able to get an older, used trailer for about 1/10th of what it would cost to put in a real ring (not including any fencing!), and I have enjoyed having the freedom to go where I want on a whim. I would really like to have a ring- especially now that my grass area that I ride in is eroding a bit and I’m wearing tracks into the ground, but a real ring with a proper base and footing is just not in the cards right now. If you have $15-20K to part with, have at it- but I would go for the trailer first. You can get a decent used trailer for a decent price and save some of your money towards a ring later. (Having said all of this, now that we’re coming back into work after 5 months off, I am dreaming of a nice sand ring that could be used most of the year!!)

[CHT]

I agree with the trailer first…unless you live somewhere you can rent a trailer for vet visits. You might be surprised by what you can find cost wise, and be closer to having the money for an arena…whereas the cost of the arena is likely less flexible/negotiable.

[Texarkana]

I was in the same situation when we moved onto our farm. No trailer, no arena.

Then I had a colic emergency with my donkey. Vet was out of town, no one else would come out, the neighbor’s trailer I borrow had flat tires, the feed store that rents stock trailers had them all rented out, friends ghosted…

I bought a trailer a few weeks later.

[ThirdCharm]

For the cost of a decent arena, you could a really, really nice trailer. Like sell your house and live in the trailer nice.
Or you could buy a cheaper trailer AND a starter home in an urban neighborhood on the verge of gentrification…

Jennifer

[Cynical25]

When I moved to my own acreage after boarding, I opted for a brand new 2H slant CM Horse Trailer for ~$5k. Most of my trailering needs are well under an hour away, so bare bones is fine. I like that I can get to a vet anytime I need to and not wait for a farm call. Plus it hauls hay, furniture, Home Depot supplies, or riding mower/ATV for service appointments.

If your “arena” is just dumping sand on the existing ground, then it may be comparable to a trailer cost. If you are doing an arena “right,” with a true grading, base, and footing, you’re likely spending $20,000+ for a small dressage ring, if you have decent soil to begin with. I have crappy clay, and was quoted $20k for a properly footed round pen!

[longlanefarm]

Obviously, a trailer would be much less expensive. I have an inexpensive 2H bumper pull that is solid, sturdy, and gets me and my horses from A to B. I do not have a proper riding area and my “flat area” is super uneven and often wet and pitted. So I am absolutely dying for a nice place to ride at home. I rarely use my trailer. If it’s in your budget, I would absolutely go for the arena. For me, it was easy to say I’d trailer out here and there but reality is I don’t. Time is already tight with working full time and having 3.5 horses at home to care for. My riding has suffered because of it though I’d never want to board my horses again. As with everything, weigh the pros and cons.

[Bluey]

A trailer, of course, because even if you build your arena, you will still need a trailer for other hauling than to … an arena?

An arena and no trailer will still leave you needing a trailer, while a trailer will give you access to arenas.

Both would be ideal and eventually you can have both.
If just one, trailer first makes more sense.

[cutter99]

I have had my horses at home for 20 plus years, and would never be without a trailer. I want to have choices in the event of evacuation or emergency. I have owned 3 farms and rented one over the years, and only had one permanent arena. I do have a portable round pen, but 75% off the time I have owned it, it has not been set up.

In having a trailer, you can have access to places to ride. Many local saddle clubs offer ring privileges for members as part of membership or a reasonable fee, but it is difficult, if not impossible to find trailers to rent or borrow.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

My first trailer cost $1,100 to buy and I put another $1,000 of welding and repairs and tires into it. Steel 2 horse. Served me well for a few years. Then I sold it for $2,500 and bought a used aluminum Featherlite 2 horse from a friend for a great price. I put new brakes and tires on and fixed a door latch and it’s great. I’m sure I can sell it for what I have into it when I buy a different trailer next year. Good used trailers hold value.

My point is you basically have to have a trailer when you have horses home. You can buy a decent, used steel stock trailer for less then 5k. You can buy a brand new steel stock trailer for a hair more. Buy a cheap trailer and build your arena. Then when you have more money sell it and get what you really want.

Not having an arena sucks (assuming you want to compete and ride regularly). I have been riding on grass since 2013 (we had to do a lot of work to our house we bought). My riding has totally suffered. Get your arena done as soon as you can, but you need a trailer.

[Gloria]

I consider a trailer is a “must” and an arena is a “nice” to have when you have horses at home. You might use the trailer only once a year, but that once a year is the time that you MUST have it.

Considering the true cost of arena, after you spend your money to build the arena, you will need to spend more money to buy the equipment to maintain it, and that means a tractor and attachments, in addition to finding time to run your tractor so you can ride in your arena. It is more than likely that when you do have an arena, you are going to ride just as little as you are now. It is just the grim reality of having horses at home.

[OneTwoMany]

Another vote for a trailer. If for no other reason than to be able to transport in case of an emergency. Consider going with something used to preserve some funds. If you are in the NE, salt and corrosion are an issue so if you go used make sure you get the trailer “vetted” out by a reputable professional.

[beau159]

TRAILER. Hands down. When you need to transport your horse in an emergency, you want your own trailer.

[js]

Trailer. Its far more important than an arena.

There are cheaper ways (maybe not perfect) of making do with an arena. Do the fencing if needed yourself or with help of friends or skip having it fenced. You could pay a neighbor with a tractor to plow/disc up a place, get a load of sand and make do (that’s a very simplified description). One does not need to spend thousands on a small professionally installed arena. Many of us make do with what ever is in the our backyard. My neighbor has a little arena drag that she pulls behind her riding mower, it does a decent job of keep the dirt rideable.

[BeeHoney]

Agree with other, trailer first. Less expensive than an arena, and it’s an important safety measure to be able to transport your horse in case of emergency. It’s also a much easier purchase to make. Planning the construction of an arena, getting estimates, and planning out something that you can afford can be a little complicated. Many contractors know very little about arena construction, so you need to take the time to educate yourself about this. Also, it sounds like you have a reasonable area to ride in for the time being.

[Fleurdelis]

The consensus is trailer first (and also it’s a must) so I’ll stick to my original plan. Makes perfect sense. I was getting a bit discouraged looking at used ad sales (high price tags and crappy trailers) but I will continue my search or make do with a cheaper new trailer for the time being. The arena can come later. Thank you all for your input and getting me on track!

[Texarkana]

OP, I understand the frustration of used trailer shopping. When I decided my trailer purchase could no longer wait, I took my used trailer fund and applied it as a large down payment to finance a reasonably priced steel stock/combo trailer. I’m so glad I did. No regrets. The small amount of interest paid is worth the peace of mind. :yes:

[Gloria]

My first trailer was a CM Combo trailer with a small dressing room. It has served me very well for many years. Horses love that kind of trailers. I don’t know how much a new one costs now, but it was very reasonably priced when I bought it. You may want to check out some of the simple, no frill trailers. After doing a lot of search, I realized that a brand new simple trailer is not more expensive than many of the used ones.

If building an area is in your future plan, start riding at your potential site to see how you like the location, whether you can be happy riding alone at home, or how realistic it is for you to ride at home without lights. With arenas, you want to build it once, and you want to consider all faucets of owning an arena before you break ground. I am riding alone at home, which isn’t the best, and it wasn’t fun when I got bucked off by my young horse, broke my back, and had to crawl out of the arena, into the house, and wait for my husband to come home to send me to emergency room. I still ride at home, alone, because that is what I choose. I also had to spend $$$ to put up lights because I work 8-5 and detest riding in dark. Some of my friends ride in moonlight and are happy with it. I simply can’t handle it. If you can’t ride alone, must ride after dark and don’t have budget for lights after spending the money on the arena, you may simply save yourself a lot of cost and trailer out.

[TMares]

I bought a beater BP stock trailer and put in a new floor, al- in it was still under $2500 bucks.

Get a beater trailer.
Clear off the arena area and let it sit and season for a while, at least 6 months so you can find the low spots, etc and work on the arena over time.

You need a trailer.

[Heinz_57]

I agree with the ‘get a beater trailer’ sentiment, while simultaneously starting site prep for the arena.

To be perfectly honest, I’ve had my horses at home for 6 years - and never had an emergency need to trailer situation, but my horses aren’t high dollar and in the event of a mortal injury or severe colic, would be euthanized anyway. I have a local vet that has someone on call in the event of lesser emergencies, and if some sort of natural disaster necessitated evacuation, friends and acquaintances that could be called upon if I didn’t have a trailer.

I went several years in the middle without a trailer. I can tell you it is something of a struggle trying to keep horses in shape when hauling out is your only option - for a 45 minute ride, you have to hook up, load gear and horse, drive, unload, tack up out in the elements, ride, and then do the whole process in reverse. Time can be saved if you can keep the truck hooked up and all your tack in the trailer, or if you’re comfortable hauling your horse already tacked. Even when I was only going 10 miles down the road, it still took 2-2.5 hours from start to finish. If you’re a single person with no one to answer to, it’s less of a big deal.

Perhaps I’m jaded by my own situation, but I’d go ahead and build the arena now if you really want to ride. I’ve tried to make hauling out work and it’s neither cost nor time efficient when you consider the amount spent on fuel and haul in fees. We broke ground a few weeks ago at the site of my future arena and I am beyond ecstatic.