I am still new to horses, with my daughter riding now for about 4 years. We bought her a horse last year and have been boarding at a near by ranch. We are purchasing a new house that has land in the mountains, so some area is flat while other is mountain side. We have a couple of acres dedicated to pasture and a outdoor riding arena. I don't want use up my space with a large arena, but I need one big enough so serve the purpose of a general lesson area. Can anyone provide some advice as to what size arena would be sufficient. I don't want to go with round pen want more flexibility.

 

150x85 feet. Probably big enough for lessons and training and to have a couple others riding in there with you, without riding on top of you. Just stake it out and have her ride in that area, if its too big, where she couldnt hear the instructor or it takes her a LONG time to make a lap, change it. There is not a right or wrong size. If you wanted to have team ropings, etc. Go bigger. Some disciplines have requirements on arena size, like dressage. If there are other barns in the area, go measure their's.

 

I consider 100 x 200 a min.

 

I was so caught up in trying to figure out a size I forgot the obvious. I will layout an area and have her ride. Good idea.

 

If your space is limited, I would recommend a 50' round lunging pen. Always good for ground manners and easy control.