The Indoor Arena - Needed?

Working horses long hours

The reality of living year around in the North-East USA is that snow and cold weather are coming to visit. This year has been particularly difficult for working the horses in our care, as the temperatures have been wickedly cold and snow has been on the ground for many days since November 15th - before winter season was even supposed to begin. 

This coyote in our side field, is also perplexed by winter. On the hunt for something to eat...

 

For folks that are setting up a horse facility, the indoor arena is not something to overlook when mapping out needed structures. It will earn its keep (given you maintain it well and properly utilize it). We have conducted many lessons, training sessions, and clinics under its roof, among other things.

As equestrian professionals that offer dressage training services 365 days of the year, hubbie and I are well-used to schooling horses all day and sometimes into the evening hours if necessary. 

The very first structure we built on our farm (which sits at an elevation of 2000+ ft above sea level in the bucolic Catskill Mountains) when we purchased the open land 27 years ago, was an indoor arena. 

We'd experienced working without one for over a decade at our former farm down in the Hudson Valley, and being without one made keeping horses in work under saddle very difficult during winter months even though the farm was at a much lower elevation and further south. Yes, you can manage as an advanced level competitor/professional trainer without one, but certainly it is 'managing'.

So budget priorities were set.

I love working my horses year around - and the winter is especially peaceful

 

We purchased an indoor structure from Morton Buildings, and utilized one of their February discount packages which offer some great rates because they want to get their crews on the construction sites year around and get bookings early. We made a few adjustments to their original offering. Namely added a few skylights in the roof for more natural light. As at the time the farm was only to be utilized as a seasonal operation, as we were at that time spending time in winter training in Florida and moving our trained horses south, we opted not to add extra windows etc. for security reasons.

 

 A multi-purpose space - extra long to accommodate hay storage

The building was completed rapidly. Within 3 weeks in fact. Amazing. And the winds in March were a challenge to the premier crew that they assigned to the task. 

 

High entrance doors mean tractor trailers can back in under the lights with no issues

Today, the arena has aged very well. And we are glad we spent the extra to buy a product with the all important application of paint to the metal before it is rolled at the factory, rather than applied afterward as some manufacturers do, because this has avoided just as Morton Buildings said it would, any unsightly chalking.

As a horse breeder we also have our homebred youngsters that need working consistently, as well as client's horses and our own performance string.

We regularly give dressage clinics as the 'Grand Prix Duo' worldwide. And for those our clientele do need to provide an indoor arena, partly because the organizing required run a clinic efficiently is easier to accomplish if adverse weather is not a component in the equation. And also because it offers a safe, quiet space that is enclosed and protected not just from wind, rain and snow and the hot rays of the sun, but also minimizes distractions for the horse and rider.

The indoor services many needs aside from schooling horses of course. For us, it neatly houses our considerable stocks of organic hay that we home-produce from our tillable south-facing lands. When you accept the challenge to make your own hay know that it is a labor of love, for it is a mega amount of work. 

But we are glad we went this haymaking route as keeping our breeding horses as healthy as possible by knowing that the hay they ingest is NOT treated with preservatives, and that the hay fields are NOT planted with seeds that a Round-Up ready (or the latest versions of the same product without the same brand name) and sprayed etc. is of paramount importance to us as trainers/breeders of performance horses. Respiratory and overall health is so important to all horses. 

We sell the overage hay produced each year. And hay is available for pick up with great access for the largest of tractor-trailers, so whether you are a dealer needing 600 bales at a time or simply a backyard horse owner that needs 40 bales for your pick-up load, or something in-between, loading inside during any weather or time of day is a boon.

 

Willowview Hill Farm - We Sell Our Organic Horse Hay Too

If you are starting out your horse business and building a facility, then the indoor is a big bonus to keeping your operation solvent. And if you are a boarder paying higher fees to enjoy the benefits of being able to utilize the covered space, accept that these buildings are not cheap and do require maintenance and incur expenses. Lighting costs, labor to power wash and keep walls clean, insurance costs and initial capital outlay all need to be recouped by the property owner.

Through the years we have had many people pop up the driveway asking if they could take a 3-month winter boarding option or rent the indoor for a venue. Our business model does not allow for this, (aside from certain film crew use, but that's another story), so our answer is always no, but it does open up additional temporary income possibilities.

Think inside and outside the box - and leverage that super large space for all sorts of needs. During storms it provides safe haven for vehicles and equipment; it houses 5 wagons at a time full of fresh cut hay and protects it from the damaging moisture of the evening dew while the hay awaits stacking on your own schedule; obviously all sorts of horse events and pursuits can be housed under its protection; and it adds significant sale value if you come to move. 

In fact, a professional equestrian will likely not consider purchasing your farm unless there is an indoor available on the property for purchase or at the very least a suitable site for one.

The walls of an indoor are very useful for lateral training in dressage work.