5 Tips For Unrivalled Outdoor Horse Riding Arena Lighting
Love riding your horse but hate that the sun sets too early? Don’t worry! With well-lit outdoor equine arena surfaces, you can extend your riding hours and enjoy quality time with your equine partner even after dark. But forget about just throwing up a few floodlights – achieving truly amazing lighting for your horse riding arena surfaces requires some planning.Here are 5 easy-to-understand tips to ensure your nighttime rides are just as safe, fun, and productive as your daytime sessions:1. Setting Up the Lighting Poles Just Right
The height and placement of the lighting poles in your arena play a big role in how well the lights work. Here’s why:- No Spooky Shadows: Shadows cast by the arena fence can scare horses, especially when they’re making turns. By placing the poles strategically, you can greatly reduce these shadows.
- Even Light Everywhere: The right pole height ensures that the entire horse-riding arena surface (the ground where your horse runs) has the same amount of light. This gets rid of dark spots that can be distracting for both you and your horse.
Here’s a general guideline for how high to place the poles:
- At Least 10-12 Feet Tall: This ensures enough light reaches the ground and doesn’t shine directly in your eyes.
- Not Right Next to the Fence: Ideally, the poles should be about 5 feet away from the arena edge. This helps spread the light more evenly towards the sides, instead of having a sharp drop-off of light near the fence.
- Space Between Poles: Putting more space (3-6 feet) between the poles helps prevent dark areas across the width of the arena.
Sample Arena Dimensions and Column Placement
| Arena Size (meters) | Arena Size (feet) | Recommended Column Height (meters) | Recommended Column Height (feet) | Recommended Lateral Spacing (meters) | Recommended Lateral Spacing (feet) |
| 20×40 | 65×130 | 4-5 | 13-16 | 3-4 | 10-13 |
| 20×60 | 65×195 | 4-5 | 13-16 | 4-5 | 13-16 |
| 30×60 | 98×195 | 5-6 | 16-20 | 4-5 | 13-16 |
2. Where to Put the Lighting Poles
Pole height is important, but where you put them matters too. Here are some things to keep in mind:- Staggered vs. Straight Rows: Rows of poles that aren’t perfectly straight (called staggered rows) can spread the light more evenly, especially in larger arenas.
- Lighting Up the Sides: Make sure there’s enough light reaching the edges of the arena. This is especially important for activities like jumping or dressage where you use the entire space.
- Keeping Glare Away: Position the poles so that the light doesn’t shine directly into your or your horse’s eyes. You can do this by angling the lights slightly downwards or using shields to block the glare.
3. Choosing the Perfect Arena Lights
The type of light fixtures you pick makes a big difference in how well your arena lighting system works. Here are some key things to consider:- LEDs are the Best: LED lights are the clear winner for outdoor arenas. They use less energy, last longer, and provide better quality light compared to older options like halogen or metal halide lamps.
- Sunlight-Colored Light: Aim for a color temperature between 4000K and 5000K. This kind of light is bright white and similar to natural daylight, which is easier on your eyes and your horse’s eyes.
- How Much Light? Lumen output refers to the total amount of light a fixture gives off. The amount of lumens you need depends on how bright you want the arena to be and how big it is. Talking to a lighting professional can help you figure out the right output for your needs.
- Wider Beam is Better: The beam angle determines how wide an area the light fixture can brighten up. A wider beam angle is generally better for getting even light coverage across the entire equine arena surface, whether you use horse arena sand or another type of footing.
4. Mounting the Lights the Right Way
Once you’ve chosen the perfect lights, how you mount them is important too. Here’s what to keep in mind:- Built to Last Outdoors: Make sure the mounting hardware is designed for outdoor use and can handle tough weather conditions like wind, rain, and snow.
- Tilting the Light Pole: Some mounting systems allow you to tilt the pole itself. This can help fine-tune the light spread and reduce glare.
5. Adding Helpful Lighting Accessories
While the main lighting system is essential, there are other things you can add to make your arena even more functional and safe:- Dimmer Switches: With dimmer switches, you can adjust the light intensity based on what you’re doing. For example, you might need a brighter light for jumping practice but a lower light for a relaxing evening ride.
- Motion Sensors: Motion sensors can automatically turn on the lights when someone enters the arena, saving energy when it’s not in use.
- Perimeter Security Lights: Think about installing separate, less bright lights around the edge of the arena for added security and visibility.
Choosing the Right Horse Arena Surface
Good lighting is crucial, but the surface of your arena also plays a big role in keeping you and your horse safe and comfortable. Here are some key points to remember:- Surface Material Options: Popular choices include horse arena sand, shredded geotextile footing, and a mix of both. Each material has its pros and cons in terms of drainage, how much cushion it provides, and how much maintenance it needs. Talking to an expert in riding equestrian surfaces can help you pick the best option for your riding discipline and budget.
- Sand: Affordable and drains well, but needs frequent maintenance and can get dusty.
- Geotextile Footing: Great for cushioning and reducing stress on your horse’s joints, but more expensive than sand and requires specific maintenance techniques.
- Sand & Geotextile Mix: Combines the benefits of both materials, but you need to know the right mixing ratio and how to maintain it properly.
- Surface Maintenance Matters: Regularly maintaining your arena horse surface is essential for keeping it in top condition. This might involve raking, levelling, and watering depending on the material to ensure a consistent footing that helps prevent injuries.
