Horse Arenas and Menages
A stable, free-draining base layer that stops the surface migrating and keeps the going consistent from one end of the school to the other.
Why reinforcement matters here
Riding surfaces fail from underneath. Once the sub-base and the riding layer start to mix, you get deep patches, hard patches and a school that rides differently in every corner. A grid layer separates the two permanently and keeps the drainage path open, which is what keeps the going even.
Where this works well
At a glance
| Sub-base | Compacted stone base to the arena designer's specification, typically 100-150mm |
|---|---|
| Infill | The grid stabilises the base layer; the riding surface is laid on top to your chosen depth |
| Typical loading | Horse and rider, plus arena maintenance machinery |
| Permeability | Fully permeable. Normally treated as a SuDS component in a drainage strategy. |
| Design life | 25 years, subject to documented installation. |
| Material | 100% recycled polypropylene, made in the UK. |
How it goes in
- Mark out the area and excavate to the depth of your sub-base plus the grid depth plus your infill blinding.
- Lay a woven geotextile across the formation, lapping joins by at least 300mm. This stops the sub-base and the subsoil mixing.
- Lay and compact the sub-base: Compacted stone base to the arena designer's specification, typically 100-150mm. Compact in layers rather than all at once.
- Blind the sub-base with a thin layer of grit sand and screed it level. This is what gives you a flat finished surface.
- Push-fit the grids together across the area, working from one edge. Cut around obstacles with a jigsaw or fine-tooth saw.
- Fill the cells: The grid stabilises the base layer; the riding surface is laid on top to your chosen depth. Work the fill in with a stiff brush so no cell is left hollow.
- Check the finished level. Nothing should stand proud of the cell walls, and no cell should be left under-filled.
Most installations are straightforward groundwork. The grids themselves push-fit together and need no fixings, adhesive or specialist tools.
Which grid depth?
The 40mm general duty grid is used across the arena base. Consistency matters more than depth in a school, so specify one grid throughout rather than mixing.
If you are between two options, take the heavier duty one. The cost difference across a typical project is small next to the cost of lifting and relaying a surface that was under-specified.
The mistake we see most often
Skimping at the perimeter. The track carries the most hoof traffic of anywhere in the school, and it is where migration and hard patches start.
Common questions
Does this replace the riding surface?
No. It stabilises the layer beneath it. The riding surface sits on top and stays where it should.
How does it help drainage?
It maintains an open, permeable layer across the whole arena so water moves down and away rather than tracking sideways.
What about high traffic areas like the track?
The track and the corners are exactly where migration starts, and where confinement makes the most difference.
Can it be retrofitted to an existing arena?
Yes, but the existing surface has to be lifted first. It is normally done as part of a resurface.
Does it work under sand, fibre or waxed surfaces?
Yes. It stabilises the layer beneath, so it is compatible with any riding surface laid over it.
How does it affect arena drainage design?
It keeps a permeable layer open across the full area, which supports the drainage design rather than replacing it. Keep your perimeter drainage as specified.
Ask our engineer
Questions about depths, sub-base, edging or which system fits your project? Ask below.