A menage is a paddock or arena in which horses are exercised. It can be built from a variety of materials depending on discipline and other factors, but it must always offer a safe, soft surface that provides adequate cushioning and prevents foot damage. Other considerations are drainage, erosion prevention and cost. Selecting the right construction method for your equestrian arena will pay off in rider safety, long-term maintenance costs savings and promoting healthy hoof growth for the horse.
A range of surface materials menage for horses can be used to construct a menage, including sand, rubber and fibre products. Each type offers unique benefits, and each requires different levels of maintenance. In general, sand surfaces require more frequent and in-depth work than other materials to ensure an even depth and to remove stones and debris. Sand can also become compacted over time, leading to poor footing and potential injury to the horse. Keeping the menage well groomed with a drag harrow and mats will prevent this from occurring, as will watering the menage when necessary to maintain its softness and cushioning.
Other options include rubber arena chips, which are becoming increasingly popular because they provide a soft and maintenance-free surface that is resistant to weathering and weeds. This is an excellent choice for dressage arenas, as it will reduce the risk of slippage and promote proper balance in the horse while reducing pressure on the back and joints.
Synthetic or all-weather horse arena surfaces are becoming more and more popular, as they tend to be easier to care for than natural sand and rubber. They also tend to be less prone to compaction, are easier to clean and will not get muddy in wet weather. Using these types of surfaces is also a great way to create a professional, consistent riding environment and encourage safe practice year-round for both amateur and experienced riders.
The construction of a menage can also be tailored to include functional features such as a mounting block or ramp for ease of mounting, a viewing area for spectators and trainers and storage areas for equipment and supplies. These additions can make a big difference to the comfort of your horse, and will improve usability of the menage for everyone involved.
In addition, it is advisable to install a judge’s box in the arena if you intend to run competitions (and this may not be an issue at all if you only ever use your arena for schooling). This is where the judges would sit to mark dressage tests and score showjumping, etc.
There are also a number of different horse training aids to consider, including weight plates which are similar to weigh tapes but vibrate, and can be claimed to help stimulate muscle activity and tone the body. These are often seen in veterinary environments and high-level competition yards, but they can be expensive to purchase, and it’s unclear how effective they are. For this reason, we do not recommend them for use at home.