MY ONE SPLURGE: A RIDING ARENA

Barnless horse keeping can seem pretty spartan, but one luxury I’ve allowed myself is a riding arena. By making the decision to keep my horse on my own property I am somewhat limited in my access to riding lessons and clinics, which means I have to haul my horses to them rather than having a barn-based trainer as many boarding facilities do. I don’t need a designated area to ride in—the fields have plenty of space—but I do like having a level, clearly defined space where I can ride dressage tests or other exercises accurately.

Even so, I have been extremely budget conscious: My arena “walls” are two strands of electric tape strung between treated wood posts. The tape is not connected to a power source because it’s not meant to contain a horse. It simply serves as a visual guide for my horse and me.

My arena footing is only grass, which does require that I modify my training and riding regimen from time to time because of weather, but otherwise works well. My husband and I did our own site preparation, labor and construction. My arena measures 100x200 and, at the time it was built, I invested only $700. We have built schooling jumps over the years ourselves as we have been able to afford the supplies and materials.