Coverall arenas... thoughts?

[RegentLion]

I have finally, thorough a long and stressful few years, decided that my (show) horse at home is the right thing to do at this point. I love having him around and doing all the "stuff" for him. I have horses I've kept at home since I've been married but we do not have a facility that permits winter riding.

I now need... an indoor. :D I am doing research and pricing things out, and from what I've heard about Coverall rings (from those that like them), they sound like the thing for me.

We live in THE FROZEN NORTH where it gets very cold in the winter, and we often get significant snow. I like the idea that the coveralls tend to be warmer inside than the standard steel ring, and I like the light and atmosphere of the few that I've been in. I've never ridden in one, however, nor been in one during inclement weather.

Hubby is not sold on the idea, however, and since he's the one footing the bill, I do want to check out his concerns (Don't want a big fat "I TOLD YOU SO" at any point). He feels that they "rattle" and "blow" in the wind--like the fabric slaps the supports. He also is concerned that you can't heat the arena.

As far as "heating" the arena, that is news to me--I didn't think we ever had plans to HEAT the ring! The barn, yes (keep it about 40 so things aren't freezing), but the ring?! How would you even DO that? To me a coverall is a good alternative to insulating/heating a huge pole barn.

Finally, cost and visual aesthetics... I love the "traditional" farm look but find both steel rings and coveralls UGLY. Do you get used to the look if the function is awesome? How much did it cost for your coverall? Are the government incentives easy to get or is it a lot of paper pushing and hoops? I'd love to call them for a quote but don't want to bother the reps as this is likely a project for next summer. For reference, I'm thinking that for my personal use, 80x170 would be best--I want 80x160 of riding space and another 10 feet for storing jumps and just that "wasted" space that is generally at the end of most indoors.

Thanks for any insight. I have done a search but nothing has turned up that has really directly answered my questions.

[Blondie22]

I live further north than you and have ridden in several coverall rings in the winter. They are more economical than steel rings and very bright. One thing to keep in mind is the noise that is made when snow flies off the structure. It sounds like an EXTREMELY loud zipper being unzipped. Horses generally get used to it after a couple (hundred) times ;)

[Hunter Mom]

He feels that they "rattle" and "blow" in the wind--like the fabric slaps the supports.

We went to a show in one, which was moved inside because of the weather. It was blowing & gusting as it can only in Kansas, and blowing snow and ice at that. ICK!

Anyhow, we were stabled right next to the outer, northern wall, and never once did it flap, rattle or blow. Yes, there was a small amount of noise, but that could also be attributed to the overload of horses crammed into an area not designed for a show. I was actually impressed with how quiet it was given the weather.

[mp]

I'd say you'd be wise to go see some and perhaps ride in them. I've only been in two, but they were very different in one very important way.

One was at a private farm. Pros -- very light and airy. They had two Big Ass fans (seriously, that's the name of the company) circulating the air. And it was very pleasant, even though it was ~90 degrees outside.

Cons -- Noise! It creaked and groaned the whole time I rode, and it wasn't even windy that day. My horse was really nervous, but settled down (somewhat) after working for 45 minutes. But a friend who boarded there 6+ months said her horse never did get used to it. My horse was bothered by the noise AND the fans. I've never noticed him even looking up before, but he sure kept an eye on those monsters.

The other is at a livestock/exposition center. It is bigger than the one on the private farm and also very light and airy. But there was virtually no noise. I've ridden in this one in the spring and fall, and never noticed any of the creaks/groans, etc. Neither did my horse. ;)

The big difference I could see was that the one at the livestock center has a foundation/concrete wall. I don't know how the private farm's arena was anchored, but it didn't have a wall like that. No idea if they were different brands or just different models.

[pony89]

I live further north than you and have ridden in several coverall rings in the winter. They are more economical than steel rings and very bright. One thing to keep in mind is the noise that is made when snow flies off the structure. It sounds like an EXTREMELY loud zipper being unzipped. Horses generally get used to it after a couple (hundred) times ;)

I was going to mention this noise, too! I wouldn't let it deter me from getting a coverall (I wish:lol:) but it certainly is startling the first time it happens (and pretty much every time thereafter!) My horse could not care less, but I jump every time!! Any ring will make noise when the snow slides off, though; like I said, I wouldn't let it stop me.

I haven't noticed flapping or wind noise. Maybe it depends on how well it is installed, but the fabric seems quite taut in our ring. I love how bright it is!!!

[analise]

I've never been in one (don't know anyone around here that has one) but from the pictures I've seen of them, they look really neat! I love that there's so much light (because even with lights on in a "typical" indoor, it never feels bright enough to me). I know of several people online who have talked about them and had nothing but good things to say about them.

(also I'm with you, why would you heat it? A normal indoor isn't heated either.)

And as far as noise from things sliding off: Wouldn't you get that with a metal-roofed building too? The indoor I ride in, not only do they have interesting noises from ice sliding off in winter (though not too much as we're in Maryland) but they also get crows who like to play sliding games down the roof. Talk about wacky noises!

[Jealoushe]

My parents have one, its a million times better than a steel arena.

It's very birght, cool in the summer and stays a decent temp in the winter (In Eastern Ontario).

We have removeable windows around the entire thing so a breeze blows right through it, it's great.

If they flap or make noise, they aren't installed correctly. I know some of the knock off move, but a true coverall is very tight and never going to flap.

you can see the windows here:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/photo.php?pid=33186356&id=89904871

[Bluey]

For what I hear, the cost is the same if fabric or metal barn.

Ane disadvantage of the fabric barns is that you have to keep on top of the tightening and any cracks, or they rip off quickly.
They send a repair kit for those, but I wonder how one gets up there to see them or patch them.:eek:

Matal barns will outlast fabric ones many times, that is also a concern, as 20 or so years is the most you get our of the fabric, if not be replacing them sooner.

The quality of the company also is important, as some are cheap imitations and don't last half the time.

We had a contractor builder friend that investigated them, even was wondering about being a dealer for our area, but was not convinced they were good enough, compared with a metal barn, to be selling them honestly.

Now, for smaller buildings, to store hay, house some livestock in the winter, for greenhouse type situations, that is ok.
For a larger building, I would think very hard about it.

With any fairly new technology, as a friend likes to say, if you go for it, down the line, you may look like the smartest person around, or be sorry you didn't stay with what is traditional and has shown to work well.

There is one good point with them, they are bright inside.:cool:

[Daatje]

I've ridden in one during a New England winter. My horse NEVER got used to the noise of the snow sliding off, and the gun-shot like popping noise it made when the wind blew and it had a coating of ice on it.

I'll take a traditional stick built indoor in the winter ANYDAY over a coverall.

Lovely in the summer, cool, bright, airy....but in the winter. No thanks. :D

[CatOnLap]

How long do most indoor arenas last? The ones around here that were built in 1985 and 1989 are really on their last legs. Both need new roofs, and both of them, the wooden posts supporting the building are rotting at the bases. The one built slightly before that in 1980, has already fallen down in the las big snow, along with one that was built in 1993. The ones that were built in 1970 were long ago demolished in the 1990's. So around here, it seems the average lifespan of an indoor is 20-30 years. Compares favourably to a fabric building.

The cost is less for a fabric building, but these days I am not sure of the costs. The last time we had an estimate done was in 2003 and the coverall was going to run around $120,000 at that time when all was said and done, ( footing, foundation wall, electrics etc.) and the same size pole barn was going to be about $200,000. I am quite sure the costs for the standard building have almost doubled here since then, as the price of housing nearly has.

I never liked the several metal roofed pole arenas I have ridden in , because the sound of snow sliding off the metal roof is enough to shock me out of 10 years growth. The sound of a good rain on a metal roof is like being in a battle zone. I never saw snow accumulate on a coverall- it seems to slide off directly.

I do enjoy riding in coveralls for the fact of the light and tall ceilings. Alas, I can't afford either.

[stryder]

Are the government incentives easy to get or is it a lot of paper pushing and hoops? I'd love to call them for a quote but don't want to bother the reps as this is likely a project for next summer. For reference, I'm thinking that for my personal use, 80x170 would be best--I want 80x160 of riding space and another 10 feet for storing jumps and just that "wasted" space that is generally at the end of most indoors.


I would call, but be clear that this is a next-summer project. Good reps work with the customer's time table, and can be very helpful with ancillary information that will help you design something that works for you. They can provide information about the optimum footing, size, reducing wind noise, siting, whether it's best to install on top of a pony wall, etc. You may also find there's special financing for buying this year.

In other words, there are all kinds of reasons for calling now. But if the rep gets pushy, or calls more often than you like, push back. A smart rep certainly won't want to annoy you!

[horsetales]

I had ridden in one and really liked it, so when we got our own place I decided to price it and steel. I assumed it would be a cost savings to go that route. I was dead wrong - there was not cost savings and actually would have cost more since I still had a barn to build and my steel is a barn indoor combo. In addition, when I thought about it being fabric I didn't think it would hold value. I believe the lifespan I was quoted was 30 yrs (but that may have changed), so if we sold in 20-30 yrs would it still have value to my property or appreciate with the property - whereas the steel should still be going strong. So for riding thumbs up, for cost thumbs down and that made the decision for us.

[Foxtrot's]

Ugly and conspicuous and ruin a good view - IMHO

[Bluey]

How long do most indoor arenas last? The ones around here that were built in 1985 and 1989 are really on their last legs. Both need new roofs, and both of them, the wooden posts supporting the building are rotting at the bases. The one built slightly before that in 1980, has already fallen down in the las big snow, along with one that was built in 1993. The ones that were built in 1970 were long ago demolished in the 1990's. So around here, it seems the average lifespan of an indoor is 20-30 years. Compares favourably to a fabric building.

The cost is less for a fabric building, but these days I am not sure of the costs. The last time we had an estimate done was in 2003 and the coverall was going to run around $120,000 at that time when all was said and done, ( footing, foundation wall, electrics etc.) and the same size pole barn was going to be about $200,000. I am quite sure the costs for the standard building have almost doubled here since then, as the price of housing nearly has.

I never liked the several metal roofed pole arenas I have ridden in , because the sound of snow sliding off the metal roof is enough to shock me out of 10 years growth. The sound of a good rain on a metal roof is like being in a battle zone. I never saw snow accumulate on a coverall- it seems to slide off directly.

I do enjoy riding in coveralls for the fact of the light and tall ceilings. Alas, I can't afford either.

You are not talking true metal barns there, but metal covered wood barns.
I agree, those also don't last very long, but I would guess still longer than fabric ones.;)

Practically all good, solid all steel metal barns around here, some of ours were built in 1940's, are still like new and have not needed any repairs.:)

Some of those built on a wood frame, yes are long defunct.
It may be different in your area.

[elctrnc]

Depending on the area, Coveralls can be taxed differently than traditional arenas/buildings, which is a consideration if you are in an area with high property taxes.

We boarded at a facility in Maine with a Coverall-type building, and it seemed very sturdy to me. Horses were not bothered by rain noise and heavy winds weren't a problem. We were not there through the winter, so I can't comment on the snow. We did ride in a stick-built arena with a metal roof through the winter, and the horses lost it when the snow slid off that roof.

[Hunter Mom]

I just remembered - Kansas City installed a large coverall with Big Ass Fans as a part of the American Royal complex. It seemed quite nice - no significant noise, other than the train tracks 12' from it, but that would be noisy no matter what! We were there in June, and it was quite hot, but with the fans it was very pleasant inside. The wind (again, almost in Kansas) didn't make any noise with the building. Both of the ones that I've been to did have small-ish (2.5'?) concrete walls around the edges. I do like the lighting, too.

[snkstacres]

Well I have a bit of experience with coveralls from the north to the south. They work very very well up north but I wouldnt waste my money in the south. While they are cooler than traditional covered arenas here, our humidity rots the material and I havent seen the fabric last more than five years. they will warranty one cover. They last 20 times longer up north and everyone seems to have them.

As for the noise of snow sliding off. It comes off of a coverall more often than a traditional metal roof because it warms in the sun and is slippery. Have you ever heard the snow fall from a metal roof. I have felt the buildings shake. Snow loads wont stay on a coverall long which is safer. The snow load also comes off a coverall from the sides so no shovelling just to get your horse out after a slide LOL

And here is the one advantage that would cause me to buy a coverall before putting up a building. You can take it with you if you move.

[beesknees]

I just recently moved my horse to a barn that basically is a coverall. A lot of people have used them here on the east coast of Canada (probably the exact same weather as you get).

I have to say that if you're going to get one, get one that has roll up sides--I find the coveralls to be quite hot in the summer, but the one that's at the barn where I have my horse now has sides that roll up, not sure who is riding but I found photos on the FB group for the barn lol!: http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v264/188/2/648591076/n648591076_1325586_6679.jpg

Also, you can get the coverall in different colours--it doesn't have to be white. The one here is beige with hunter green on the ends. The hunter green hardly makes a difference with the light coming in, here is a photo of someone riding in the arena and at the very end you can see the hunter green part of the cover: http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v900/212/27/802295322/n802295322_4873084_7577.jpg

But yes, roll up sides and see what colors you can get! I've also never heard it flap in the wind--ever.

I haven't been there yet for the winter but I'm sure it will be the same as with the steeling roofing--horse crouching, all four legs bracing, eyes the size of saucers, ears flapping in every direction and me grabbing a chunk of mane and pushing my heels extremely down.

[Griffyn]

There is a lady that has one near Wausau WI, Ive never ridden in it, but she has her horses stalled in it as well, google Plum Lake Dressage in Wi and ask her- same type of climate etc. Im sure she'd give the pros and cons.

[mbdressage]

I have one and absolutely love it! :) It is cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. The natural light is incredible and all types of horses seem very relaxed in it. Great value too.









I have finally, thorough a long and stressful few years, decided that my (show) horse at home is the right thing to do at this point. I love having him around and doing all the "stuff" for him. I have horses I've kept at home since I've been married but we do not have a facility that permits winter riding.

I now need... an indoor. :D I am doing research and pricing things out, and from what I've heard about Coverall rings (from those that like them), they sound like the thing for me.

We live in THE FROZEN NORTH where it gets very cold in the winter, and we often get significant snow. I like the idea that the coveralls tend to be warmer inside than the standard steel ring, and I like the light and atmosphere of the few that I've been in. I've never ridden in one, however, nor been in one during inclement weather.

Hubby is not sold on the idea, however, and since he's the one footing the bill, I do want to check out his concerns (Don't want a big fat "I TOLD YOU SO" at any point). He feels that they "rattle" and "blow" in the wind--like the fabric slaps the supports. He also is concerned that you can't heat the arena.

As far as "heating" the arena, that is news to me--I didn't think we ever had plans to HEAT the ring! The barn, yes (keep it about 40 so things aren't freezing), but the ring?! How would you even DO that? To me a coverall is a good alternative to insulating/heating a huge pole barn.

Finally, cost and visual aesthetics... I love the "traditional" farm look but find both steel rings and coveralls UGLY. Do you get used to the look if the function is awesome? How much did it cost for your coverall? Are the government incentives easy to get or is it a lot of paper pushing and hoops? I'd love to call them for a quote but don't want to bother the reps as this is likely a project for next summer. For reference, I'm thinking that for my personal use, 80x170 would be best--I want 80x160 of riding space and another 10 feet for storing jumps and just that "wasted" space that is generally at the end of most indoors.

Thanks for any insight. I have done a search but nothing has turned up that has really directly answered my questions.

[Bluey]

I have one and absolutely love it! :) It is cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. The natural light is incredible and all types of horses seem very relaxed in it. Great value too.

Would be interesting to know what part of the country you are located in?
Seems that, depending on where you are, what you do in one and what size barn you choose, some fabric barns are more appropiated than others.

[equineartworks]

We have been looking at these very seriously. Everything just get whomped here between the wind and snow...they all look like a$$ after a few years. Because we can DIY as DH is a contractor our cost savings would be HUGE with a Coverall.

[wingedmare]

I'm not sure if it was a coverall arena my friend put in or another brand; HOWEVER she is having HUGE issues. Not with the arena persay; but with the contractor hired by the Main company. Obviously they are going to go with the lowest bid to install the arena and BOY DID THEY. Long story short the contractors were incompitant and her arena is NOT plum and the list goes on. She is still in legal disputes.

She was originaly led to belive the contractor worked FOR the company and later found out not after he screwed up royal and screwed the Company and Her. And this is who the Arena Company sent her to install it. So, just keep the thought in mind to investigate who ever shows up to do the install whether they claim to work for the company directly or not.

Too careful isn't careful enough when you are paying that much mone!!

[iluvponies]

I board at a place with a newer coverall and while I enjoy having an indoor to ride in, I would NEVER pick a coverall over a steel indoor. We live in a windy, cold, heavy snow load area. Ours has wooden sides and the rattling when the wind blows is still noisy and spooky. It isn't any warmer in the winter, the snow sliding off the cover is so loud it spooks me and the horses. After a heavy snow, you would need a deaf/blind horse not to spooky when the snow falls. When it's humid out, it's like a greenhouse inside, even with the fans. The only perk of it is that you don't need to light it during the day when you ride, but you don't really need to do that for a steel indoor if you have a few skylights. Nuts to bolts, I don't think the savings is much. Go for steel.