What's a Reasonable Ballpark Estimate for Modest Outdoor Ring?

[MB]

Made the decision to bring our 2 horses home. Now I'm trying to slice the home equity loan into enough chunks to cover barn, fence, grading, and would love to do a small ring to hack around and longe in but I'm not sure how much to budget. I considered making my sacrifice paddock big enough to ride in but I kind of like the idea of separating play areas and work areas since I have a very rambunctious TB who plays hard. At the farm where I board, he understands that the indoor is for work and his paddock is where he can get his zoomies out. Is a small ring worth it? How much should I expect to pay? Thanks for any advice!

[kalidascope]

Oh gosh, there are so many variables it is hard to even ballpark this.

How big? What surface? What's your drainage like? What soil type? Does the area receive runoff from nearby slopes? Are earthworks needed to level it (you might be surprised by an area that 'looks flat')? What products (agregate/sand/other footing) are available locally? Do you need a new fence around it or will you use the existing fence (the latter makes it harder to install the footing)?

I'd say $10,000 - $60,000+ .

[half*pass]

I can't comment specifically for your area, but I am in the process of gathering quotes for a completel build for a 20x40 sand dressage arena for myself. Looks like we will be able to get it done from start to finish for under €10.000. However the area where I am putting the ring is dead flat so any earth moving will be minimal.

[MB]

*** C L U N K !! ** as I faint. I guess I was delusional--wasn't expecting that kind of expense. Area is flat but our soil is heavy clay and was going to do screenings and sand since that looked least expensive. It would be so much cheaper to move to a small turnkey farm... Oye. Thanks guys for the heads-up!!

[half*pass]

Don't give up just yet. Ask around for quotes. Also ask construction companies, not necessarily arena specialists. How handy are you? There is a lot that can be DIY'd without getting the pro's in to save costs. A friend of mine had her husband and dad build her arena for under €5.000 and that was 100% DIY.

Do you have any friends or friends of friends who are in the earth moving business? If so, there might be a chance for a you scratch my back I'll scratch your sort of deal. Around here, the neighbours are willing to help out for a beer or three at the end of the day!

If you are happy to not have top of the line footing then that also reduces the costs.

[Texarkana]

From my experience in SEPA, your main cost is going to be the base. If you only need minimal grading, you can get that done relatively inexpensively. Using something like sand for footing also can be done very affordably. But the proper amount of bluestone/stonedust for a good base is usually several thousand dollars! And in areas with clay soil, you really want a base, otherwise you'll likely end up with slippery quick sand.

[tangledweb]

The cost of labor and materials varies from region to region but if you want some numbers you need an idea of size and construction.

For a 100' * 200' arena made from 12" of sub-base and footing you'll need about 500 tons of material. If sand and gravel are $20 a ton delivered that's $10,000.

Labor and equipment to grade and prepare the site, install drainage, spread and compact the materials could be any number depending on how flat and well drained it is already.

There's 600' of perimeter on that 100x200 arena so maybe another $6000 if you want it fenced.

[BeeHoney]

It's way more than you might guess. To do a simple, small arena with a respectable base and simple footing--I'd say 30K as a ballpark for the total project. Unfortunately, skimping is not generally a good way to go--you can end up with a big mess. Also, many contractors are not familiar with what you really need, so it is important to be educated and prepared before starting.

[Gloria]

People tend to grossly underestimate how expensive a horse farm is.... I have said it many times. Owning a horse farm for one or two horses is not a financially sound choice. It is a lifestyle choice. Here is some ideas...

1. If you have a flat area that drain well, a functional dressage size arena will probably run you ~2K. This is to utilize your existing location, and native soil as footing. This will not give you all weather area, but is the least expensive option.

2. If you need to bring in sand to combat your heavy clay soil, figure, 5~10K additional, delivered. You will find the freight might be more expensive than the sand itself. If you live next to a quarry, you are in luck. This still will not give you an all weather arena.

3. If you need to combat drainage, which means installing french drain, add another ~5K. This still will not give you all weather arena, just an arena that is ridable a couple of days after heavy rain.

4. If you want all weather arena, meaning, an arena that is ridable soon after heavy rain, now you are talking expensive, because now you need to truk in base material, grade and compact, and then add footing. Add another $$$$. 20K conservative estimate additional.

5. Now you need to add your grooming equipment, and tractor to run it...

[IFG]

I would say $10,000 to $20,000. If you have a sacrifice area with a good base that you can expand--do it. Your $$ will go into tons of stone dust to build a base with some sand footing on top. Get the publication Underfoot from the USDF if you can find it.

[IFG]

https://www.usdf.org/cgi-bin/commerc...&key=UNDERFOOT

[airhorse]

We just did a 50' X 90' base for our arena addition, 7K with me doing everything but the digging. (I did all of the base leveling, compacting and sand) Probably another 3K in that if done by the excavator. So, easily 15-20K assuming no additional issues, or storm water requirements.

[Jim_in_PA]

Doing it "right" costs a bit of money...remove all the organics (top soil and vegetation) down to the sub soil, grade the subsoil for proper drainage and level, install geotextile, install a compacted base, install a barrier around the arena to prevent soil and vegetation infiltration from the sides and then install a footing that's appropriate for the area and for the riding discipline(s) you embrace. You'll also need the equipment to regularly drag it for maintenance.

[horsepoor]

Given all the variables, you would probably be better off calling an arena builder in your area to get some ballpark numbers. Your terrain, drainage, climate, and material availability will influence the cost so much, I don't think you can take numbers from COTH and apply those. Add in differences in planned use, discipline, etc., and it is very hard to apply the broad range of numbers you'll find on a forum like this to your specific needs.

It is good to get some numbers for building what you want and then compare that to just moving to an already-built facility. It will make you appreciate how much $$ is actually in those nice facilities out there, and you can make better decisions on whether to proceed or not.

[airhorse]

Don't forget to check with your building and zoning. Many municipalities now require storm water review if adding impermeable material above a certain square footage. Plan on a minimum of a few thousand for survey and engineering review, can easily go into 6 figures if there are issues.

This may also impact what you can do with the topsoil that is excavated. Getting it hauled away can be very expensive as commercial places won't take it without a full EPA soil sample. Craigslist can be a good source to advertise it.

[secretariat]

We've built three - a 100 x 200 all weather outdoor, a small dressage arena, and an indoor. You don't want to know what the indoor cost (we saved for a LOT OF YEARS for that one). The 100 x 200 had a significant amount of earth moving, based, and footing work. Total cost was about $15,000 in 2005, and has been in constant use for 10 years with no issues at all, and no money spent on it except for winter salt. Still 100% even after this awful winter. The third is probably the one you're looking to do. We had a perfect site, well drained, dead flat (unique!). Took the tractor/loader, scooped the turf off, worked the top as flat as we could, then spent about $1000 on class I sand and drug it flat. So total out of pocket was about $1000. Works great, just have to add sand to it every year or two as it does not have a formal base and it beats into the ground.

So you can spend 6 figures, or 5 figures, or 4 figures. Your choice, but you don't get what you don't pay for. Most important factors are drainage, base, and footing. Good luck!

[Jim_in_PA]

Don't forget to check with your building and zoning. Many municipalities now require storm water review if adding impermeable material above a certain square footage. Plan on a minimum of a few thousand for survey and engineering review, can easily go into 6 figures if there are issues.

This may also impact what you can do with the topsoil that is excavated. Getting it hauled away can be very expensive as commercial places won't take it without a full EPA soil sample. Craigslist can be a good source to advertise it.

Yea, we got hit with this when we were putting in a new, much longer driveway from the other side of our property a number of years ago. Anything over 1000 sq ft of disturbance required a plan, permit and construction drainage management. $10,000 a day fine for non-compliance. Fortunately for us, we had it documented from the township that they said we didn't need it, even when we did, and the authority didn't charge us since the work was complete and done correctly.

[Jarpur]

I consider my 20 meter x 40 meter arena to be modest; it was done basically as secretariat stated for the small dressage arena. We selected a site that was pretty flat, while still having a bit of a slant crosswise (the short way) for drainage, and didn't need any trees or rocks removed. We had the guy doing some other dozer work on our place scrape it around to even it a little (didn't need to have any topsoil trucked off), then brought in sand (I spoke with our local quarry and asked for sand suitable for a horse arena). So, no material brought in for base, just used the native soil (some clay but not gumbo). We did have it fenced (wooden posts with two rails), which doubled the cost (still lower four figures), but perhaps you don't need that (I was starting young greenies, so wanted a fence). In 17 years, we've had the sand topped off with a few more loads twice. It is usable most of the time, although we do have to stay off of it for a few days after heavy rain, but I can live with that. If I know rain is in the forecast and so can avoid dragging the footing right beforehand, the rain runs off the surface and the footing returns to use sooner.

[Mallard]

I consider my 20 meter x 40 meter arena to be modest; it was done basically as secretariat stated for the small dressage arena. We selected a site that was pretty flat, while still having a bit of a slant crosswise (the short way) for drainage, and didn't need any trees or rocks removed. We had the guy doing some other dozer work on our place scrape it around to even it a little (didn't need to have any topsoil trucked off), then brought in sand (I spoke with our local quarry and asked for sand suitable for a horse arena). So, no material brought in for base, just used the native soil (some clay but not gumbo). We did have it fenced (wooden posts with two rails), which doubled the cost (still lower four figures), but perhaps you don't need that (I was starting young greenies, so wanted a fence). In 17 years, we've had the sand topped off with a few more loads twice. It is usable most of the time, although we do have to stay off of it for a few days after heavy rain, but I can live with that. If I know rain is in the forecast and so can avoid dragging the footing right beforehand, the rain runs off the surface and the footing returns to use sooner.

This is basically what we did in the only flattish corner of our hay field about 19 years ago..... certainly works for me, but I am also the only one using it, 3-5 times a week ... so the footing stands up.

Cost us less about $2k back then Most of that was for getting the top scraped off. Sand was cheaper back then!

I have topped it up with a load of sand a couple of times since then.
One big dump truck load two years ago was $400.00. I'll probably get another load this year.
We have a tractor to help distribute the sand, but it is a LOT of work to rake and level it by hand. Keeps me fit!
I also get some weeds growing up, but use Roundup a couple times a year.
I drag it about once a week with the ATV.

[costco_muffins]

I consider my 20 meter x 40 meter arena to be modest; it was done basically as secretariat stated for the small dressage arena. We selected a site that was pretty flat, while still having a bit of a slant crosswise (the short way) for drainage, and didn't need any trees or rocks removed. We had the guy doing some other dozer work on our place scrape it around to even it a little (didn't need to have any topsoil trucked off), then brought in sand (I spoke with our local quarry and asked for sand suitable for a horse arena). So, no material brought in for base, just used the native soil (some clay but not gumbo). We did have it fenced (wooden posts with two rails), which doubled the cost (still lower four figures), but perhaps you don't need that (I was starting young greenies, so wanted a fence). In 17 years, we've had the sand topped off with a few more loads twice. It is usable most of the time, although we do have to stay off of it for a few days after heavy rain, but I can live with that. If I know rain is in the forecast and so can avoid dragging the footing right beforehand, the rain runs off the surface and the footing returns to use sooner.

This is basically our plan. Jarpur, how deep is your sand?