When it comes to the construction of an outdoor arena, there are always many hooks and eyes. You not only have to deal with the purchase, but also with legislation, soil type, purpose, etc. etc. It is important to be properly informed before you take the first steps.
Rules for construction
Each municipality has its own policy, it is important to be well informed before you start the construction of a tank. In many cases you are bound by many rules, but in most municipalities there are sufficient loopholes in the law. For example, it is possible to request a drop-out add-on. Most municipalities do not have a problem with this. It is true that an outdoor container with a permit yields more once the land is sold.
It also differs per municipality whether it is allowed to place a fence around a paddock or not. The type of bottom is also decisive, in many cases you may pour a sandy bottom or use wood chips, but for example no poly flakes, etc. Dreinage is almost always not allowed because it clearly concerns a riding arena. Requesting lighting for a paddock can also cause problems for the same reason.
In some municipalities there is no active consideration of whether a tank or paddock is being built. In this case there is usually a regulation that, as long as the neighborhood is not bothered by the box or paddock, there is nothing wrong. However, it pays to visit the neighborhood first for signatures and permission. As soon as this is shown to the municipality, they are a lot easier when applying for a paddock or bin.
External factors
There are many factors that must be taken into account when constructing a box or paddock. To begin with, the bucket should of course not be too heavy or too slippery to prevent injuries, but the use of a bucket as a paddock also has a negative effect on the life of the bucket. Even with regular towing. Also pay attention to whether there is archaeological research in the area. If you want to build the tank on archaeological ground, wet your chest. This is often not possible or a soil investigation is required first. In other cases, it depends on how deep you dig to build the bucket.
Besides these points, it is also important to know what type of soil you are dealing with, this can determine how deep you have to dig to get a good bucket. The groundwater arrow is also important and the purpose of use of the tank. As already mentioned, use as a paddock shortens the life of the bucket, but if the bucket is going to be used as a jumping or driving bucket, it can be important to take into account the type of soil that you want to dump.
Especially in view of the soil type and groundwater level, it can be worthwhile to hire a soil worker from the area. They can usually give you good advice regarding the bottom and the type of container and top layer required.
Soil types
There are many different soil types, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Besides the fact that the top layer can of course be different, certain top layers also require a specific bottom layer.
Please note, depending on the soil type, an environmental certificate may be required. This must be able to be shown on request.
Sand types
There is sand, bull sand and dreinage sand. Stop sand is a fine grain, it quickly becomes moist but can be used on drier soil. However, the risk of spraying is higher, so the soil must be kept slightly moist. Coarse grain, or bull sand, keeps the center of silting sand and draining sand. Dreinage sand is a very coarse grain of sand, the tank generally remains neatly dry, but it is precisely for that reason that the sand disperses much faster.
Carpet shavings
A container with carpet chips has many advantages. As long as there is no excessive rainfall, the tank can generally be used all year round. In addition, it is low-maintenance, absorbs moisture well and lets through, so atomization is also minimal, it does not digest and is durable. Furthermore, the suspension is good and it is also environmentally safe. It is important, however, that a supplement is made every 3 to 4 years.
Poly flakes
Poly flakes are a good alternative to carpet chips. This soil is also resilient, does not decompose, absorbs moisture well and dispersion is low. Furthermore, it is environmentally friendly and offers a stable bottom.
Coconut fiber
Coconut fibers can be found in the dressage tank at Stad en Lande. It drains well, strengthens the soil and makes it more resilient. It is also environmentally friendly and relatively cheap because it only needs to be replaced once every 5 to 6 years. It is important that the coconut fibers are well mixed with the soil.
Wood chips
Wood chips provide stability and absorb moisture well. The origin of the chips determines the lifespan, but in general this soil will quickly rot and become slippery and moist. After a year, the top layer usually has to be removed and replaced.
Megatop
Megatop is freeze-dried wood. The chance of mold is lower and it not only absorbs moisture, it also repels in dry weather, so that the sand layer remains slightly moist and stable. Megatop also has a longer lifespan because rotting is hardly a problem.
Agterberg
Many expensive stables have an Agterberg floor laid for their outdoor arena. This is a huge investment because Agterberg (Geomix or Geofibremix) requires good cleaning. The location of the tank must be excavated deeply, whereby a drainage system is first laid in trenches in the subsoil, then rubble and / or lava rock is placed over it and then the sand mixed with Agterberg is poured over it. The advantages of such a riding arena are that it is easy to level, sturdy and permeable to water. However, it is important that this soil is regularly sprayed. Agterberg can be driven all year round.
Maintenance
In addition to the obvious dragging of a container, it is important to remove waste and manure, this does not do any soil well. Regularly turning or topping up the soil is important, as is ensuring good drainage or keeping the container moist. A good method to promote drainage is to raise the tank higher than the surrounding land.
