Q: CAN I BUILD AN ARENA ON A HILL?
A: “YES, you can build an arena on a hill,” says Thomas Harper of Equestrian Surfaces Ltd. “The steepness of the hill does not matter, as the process to build the arena is the same in all cases. Approximately 95% of arena builds done by Equestrian Surfaces Ltd are on a slope of varying degrees. There are three main considerations for choosing to build on a hill; how it will be levelled, drainage, and fencing.
“Firstly, you must decide how to make the site level; either by cutting into the hill on one side and using that soil to raise the other side, or levelling to the lowest part of the land which will move more soil and take more time and money. Draining on the uphill side of the arena should be installed to divert hillside water around the perimeter of the arena so that the arena drainage is not overloaded.
“Finally, to put fencing on the side of the arena that had been filled, it is integral to ensure it is really well compacted and that there is a metre or two of banking with stone beyond the fence before it starts to decline, so that there is enough support to keep the fence upright, even as the soil settles.”
Q: I HAVE AN EXISTING ARENA IN POOR CONDITION, CAN I REFURBISH IT OR SHOULD I START AGAIN?
A: “OLD arenas can certainly be refurbished, but it depends on a few things,” says James Riley, director of Equestrian Direct Ltd. “Firstly, assess what you have, so I’d start by checking the depth of the surface around the arena to see how level it is. As a rule of thumb, you should have around 125mm to 150mm of surface consistently around the arena.
Denne historien er fra October 07, 2021-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra October 07, 2021-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Gemirande provides 24-carat magic
Venetia Williams sparkles again in the December Gold Cup and jockey brothers dead-heat
‘Happy hunting, everyone'
“The season for talks, dinners and parties has finally arrived for Tessa Waugh, whose distress about the snags of middle age fades away with some rousing festive spirits
'Monaco deserved this victory
Seemingly destined always to play the bridesmaid’s role, Harrie Smolders’ great partner Monaco finally tops an incidentpacked Rolex grand prix
'It had to end sometime'
The closure of beloved Hampshire saddlery Calcutt Sons is a loss to the hunting and wider equestrian worlds, as Octavia Pollock reports
'You couldn't want for more
The Ludlow's peaceful country makes for a day in \"hunting paradise\"
The greatest gift of all
Christmas is fast approaching and while we all like a bit of tinsel, the festive season is also a perfect time for giving to a horse charity. Niki Hinman finds out some of the options
Winter him well
A horse's winter routine can differ dramatically from his summer structure but what’s the knock-on effect? Ellie Hughes asks vets how to optimise routine management for the season
Neat feet
Excellent hoof care is a year-round concern but the winter months present their own problems. Richard Stephenson MRCVS explains the seasonal challenges afoot and how to stay one step ahead
In bygone days
Modern vets have much scientific knowledge behind them, but what about their forebears? Kieran O’Brien MRCVS opens up the world of Victorian vets in London
'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'
Pepsi Kohler on being delightfully outnumbered by girls in the Pony Club, a leg-up from a royal and the H&H advert that changed his life
