Is Riding Arena Drainage Really Necessary?Unless the area that you aim to build your arena on is very well drained, you are likely to require additional drainage. One of the shortcuts people often make is to try to save money by not putting in riding arena drainage systems. Without adequate drainage you will not be able to use your manege during heavy rainfall periods and as water will collect on the surface, this will freeze during the winter months. Allowing water to sit on the surface can also cause the surface material to degrade quicker and therefore not putting in adequate riding arena drainage is false economy! The type and cost of the required drainage system for your manege really depends on the location of your proposed arena and soil type. Sandy soil is generally well draining, whereas clay soil will hold more moisture and probably require more substantial drains. You need to carefully consider the location of the arena in terms of the quality of the land and where possible, attempt to build your arena on a flat, dry area (preferably higher ground) as this will reduce the cost of the build.
If the soil is naturally wet and a simple drainage system is not suitable then a more substantial system of herringbone drains can be laid. With herringbone drains, there is a central pipe, with angled pipes connected to and running off it. Hence the pipes are connected so that the increased flow of water can be collected and dispersed more efficiently.
Experienced contractors will be able to assess the land and the drainage requirements, including the different sizes of pipes, calculating the distance required between pipes and different installation techniques and systems. Crucially, the most important point is to get at least a couple of expert opinions about the proposed location of the arena and the soil type in order to build an arena that will be able to be used throughout the year, in all weather conditions! back to Riding Arena
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A simple drainage system often involves several drains (perforated plastic pipes) being run in straight lines the length of the arena to capture the water and allow it to drain away onto a convenient outfall, such as another part of the field or into a ditch, for example. In poorer soil, the drains may need to be laid both inside the arena and around its perimeter for extra efficiency.
