Round pens and arenas provide training areas where equestrians can work with their horse and train them to learn new skills. You can build your own arena base with a compact tractor and implements at a lower cost than premade pen kits. Follow these steps to build your DIY arena.
After deciding on the size of your pen, prepare the subgrade for riding and construction. Mark the dimensions of the arena with stakes, clear away grass and other obstacles, and till the land to loosen the ground. A compact tractor with a box blade implement effectively removes excess dirt.
Add footing additives to your arena’s soil to create a soil composition safe for your horses to ride on. You may want to consider using a geotextile under the arena surface for soggy or difficult soil, because it separates layers and stabilizes the ground. The ideal footing depth for an arena or round pen is between 2 and 4 inches, depending on the material used.
As you add footing and soil to your pen, compact every layer with a roller. Compacting is critical to keep your arena safe for your horses. Compacted bases create a consistent footing depth and a stable surface that won’t settle and soften over time.
If any of the footing and compacted areas are still uneven, use an arena drag or harrow to break up and redistribute the material. You’ll need this implement and a compact tractor for arena maintenance to prevent deep ruts and detectable traffic patterns.
Holt Ag Solutions has the equipment and implements you need to build a DIY round pen base. Some of the tools we have for your project include:
We work with equestrians, farmers and arena owners across California and Oregon to find the right machinery to build and maintain their round pens for horse riding and training. We’ll help you determine which options are right for your project and provide after-sales support like part replacements and maintenance services.
Purchase compact tractors, box blades, harrows and more for your DIY arena or round pen base project. Contact us to make your purchase, or visit or call a Holt Ag Solutions location near you for more information about our solutions.
