5 Things To Consider When Fencing An Arena

So much happens in and around the riding arena that sometimes it can be quite foggy as to what you actually want/need as far as fencing goes. We always say to our clients to write down the top 3 priorities of what they want from their new fencing to narrow down what is ’non-negotiable and what isn’t.  While you’re thinking about that, here are some other points to think about.

This is the number one consideration in our book. Rider safety. Horse safety. Think of the worst-case scenario. It only takes one incident to really regret a poor fencing selection. As one rider said after hearing a friend was fencing their arena with star pickets… ‘we are at the perfect height when riding to become a kebab if we fall off.  No fencing is going to give you a ‘cushion landing’ as such but thinks about the worst-case scenario … if you get thrown off and have a few bruises and aches that is ok.  If you can do irreparable damage to yourself then that fencing option is not good.

A lot of parents like to sit and enjoy watching their children grow and learn and have fun in the arena. Or for professional reasons, will the fence obstruct the view of what is happening in the arena? Consider this when choosing your new horse fence for around the arena. What does it look like when you look at it and also can you see through it to see the action?

If the fence is serving two purposes this may affect your decision – is the fence just an arena fence or does it also act as a paddock fence?

Installation is something we often overlook.. especially if we’re planning to engage a professional to do this for us.  However think through what might or might not be involved in digging holes – is there rock below? Can the machinery access the area ok? For clients who plan to DIY, a gentle reminder is to ensure your fence lines are dead straight – for such a concentrated use area is important to get it right.

The easiest way to answer this question is to think about the largest size of machinery you might ever need to bring into the arena… and then go a bit wider than that.  In one sense you cant have a gate too big so it is better to err on the larger size rather than smaller. Double gates can look nice for the entry area. Stock and Noble can provide a number of options to consider depending on what your budget and priorities are. We just want to see you riding safely and happily in a space you can be proud of! Please do not hesitate to reach out.