Sand arena construction

[Wait4It..boom]

Considering installing a (budget savvy) uncovered, sand arena and doing some homework. What do folks know about them or do you have lessons learned from when you may have put one in yourself?
Should there be something below the sand to help it drain, do you have to add an additive in the sand to keep it from freezing or packing, depth, etc....
I'm planning standard dressage dimensions. I've read it should be no more than 2-3 inches deep and that 4-6 inches could cause tendon/ligament pulls and tears, etc.

Thanks!

[campinmutt]

Bobby pitcher did mine. he leveled what I thought was a pretty level spot..lol..then we laid down 3" crushed blue stone dust...then he rolled it ...then added 3" of sand. if was $20,000 for a 250X180ish arena,but it has been a few years and it holds up great. we do drag it close to weekly...the sand has held up great .we did not add anything to the sand for freezing,so if it is wet and temps drop it does get hard...but then it is too cold for me to ride anyway..lol...

[quailridge]

It is VERY IMPORTANT that you have a good base with at least 90% compaction.

[fredsaid2]

Originally Posted by campinmutt

Bobby pitcher did mine. he leveled what I thought was a pretty level spot..lol..then we laid down 3" crushed blue stone dust...then he rolled it ...then added 3" of sand. if was $20,000 for a 250X180ish arena,but it has been a few years and it holds up great. we do drag it close to weekly...the sand has held up great .we did not add anything to the sand for freezing,so if it is wet and temps drop it does get hard...but then it is too cold for me to ride anyway..lol...

What Campinmutt said. The base is the important part. The USDF book Underfoot gives specific guidelines.
Underfoot: USDF Guide to Dressage Arena Construction, Maintenance and Repair

[Pasofever]

We did a 150 X 75 and had a few dump trucks of sand brought in..it was a hard field anyway...cost about $1500 years ago with the sand..

[toppick08]

Originally Posted by Pasofever

We did a 150 X 75 and had a few dump trucks of sand brought in..it was a hard field anyway...cost about $1500 years ago with the sand..

Black Widow Heaven.........

[Danzig]

How to make a softball field into a volleyball court - Photography by John Douglass

[DQ2B]

My husband and I did my standard size dressage arena. Be prepared to spend some bucks if you want something that really lasts and properly drains. DO NOT skimp on the base. The base is what keeps your arena from becoming a swamp, filled with pot holes, uneven footing, etc., etc. You cannot simply dump a few loads of sand (and it must be the right type of sand) onto unexcavated ground and expect that you will have a good riding space. This may work for a bit but over time the sand will mix with top soil and you will eventually have wasted your money on the footing. We mostly followed the USDF manual that another poster mentioned and my arena is wonderful. Only in the coldest weather is it unrideable. You also need to make sure you don't add too much footing. Start lite and add more if neccessary as it is much easier to add than to have to take away. I have about 1.5 inches of sand/stonedust footing mixed with another .5 inch of felt/rubber. The felt help keep the dust down and the rubber helps thaw it faster in cold weather and of course both add cushion. Good luck, it's a huge project.

[Wait4It..boom]

Whew! Thanks so much for all the replies so far. I'm tired just thinking about it now. ;-)
DQ2B - how long have you had your arena? With the sand/sandstone and felt/rubber combo, how often do you have to drag the arena?

What are folks using to drag and level? Did you make your own or buy an implement for the tractor?

Want to understand exactly what I'm getting myself into, including time commitment. Currently have a grass arena and none of the horses are allowed to graze there. So even now in the winter it's pretty plush.

[Pasofever]

Originally Posted by Wait4It..boom

Whew! Thanks so much for all the replies so far. I'm tired just thinking about it now. ;-)
DQ2B - how long have you had your arena? With the sand/sandstone and felt/rubber combo, how often do you have to drag the arena?

What are folks using to drag and level? Did you make your own or buy an implement for the tractor?

Want to understand exactly what I'm getting myself into, including time commitment. Currently have a grass arena and none of the horses are allowed to graze there. So even now in the winter it's pretty plush.

I use a drag I got off of ebay that I use behind an ATV