Establishing a project for an equestrian structure

The organisation chart is an important step, as it will provide precious help in scheduling the work. It represents the different functions of the establishement, associated to the necessary installations, and the movements of horses, pedestrians and vehicles.

The organisation chart should not however be mistaken for the overall ground plan, which shows the physical layout of the buildings.

Here is an example of an organisation chart for an equestrian centre :

This requires a lot of thought regarding the needs, and making a difference between the essentials, and accessories. One should establish :

• The number of horses and ponies to accomodate
• The number and nature of the working arenas (indoor and outdoor).
• The frequency of hay and straw deliveries and of manure disposal.
• Annexe premises planned (tack rooms, cloakrooms, living accomodation...).
• The roads and utilities networks : requirements in terms of water, electricity….

This schedule is an important step if one wants to be effective and avoid later disappointments. It is therefore essential to take special care in its setting up.

If the budgetary considerations require the project to be divided into phases, one should determine the parts which can be postponed for later phases. As a general rule, the size of the infrastructure depends on the number of equines to be stabled in the riding school : horses or ponies. Measurements are different and need to be taken into consideration.

Areas required for the outdoor facilities

Outdoor arenas, lungeing ring and loose jumping arenas require large surfaces.

For outdoor arenas, the necessary dimensions depend on the discipline. Federal requirements sometimes impose minimum dimensions, make sure to be informed beforehand.

Indoor school

The surface for an indoor school depends on the type of animal to be used in it :

• Ponies : 15 x 20 m minimum
• Horses : 20 x 40 m or 20 x 60 m or more

Stables with loose boxes

Like the indoor school, the surfaces for a loose box depend on the size of its occupant :

• Ponies : 6 m² per box
• Horses : 9 m² minimum per box

Note that the bigger ponies should live in a horse size box. Moreover, the area dedicated to the aisle leading to the boxes should also be considered in the total stable area.

Group stabling barn

Smaller ponies (A, B and C) often live together in stabling barns. They require around 4m2 per animal. Again, the aisle leading to the barn should also be taken into acccount in the total building surface.

Storage of fodrage and concentrated feeds

When feeding in a traditional manner on hay and straw, and considering that the bales are stored up to 4m high, the ground surface required is 2m2 per horse per month.

Hard feeds are stored in silos, of a size which takes into account the number of horses and the storage life for the feed.

Manure

For manure storage up to 2m high, the surface of the concrete floor slab required is of 1 to 1,5m2 per horse per month. The volume of the water tight manure pit for the percolation water depends on the average rainfall, the frequency of evacuation, and the type of the soil underneath. It normally represents around 0,3 m³ per loose box.

Cost of the construction work

Estimating the overall cost of a project depends on numerous factors. It would be illusory to try to establish a typical price list which would apply whatever the situation.

Prices can vary in large proportions for the same service depending on different factors :

• The general level of the service required.
• The number of companies likely to be interested (also dependant on the size of the project and its technical level).
• Availability of the companies contracted.
• Local competition.
• Time of year and geographical location.
• Origin of the different materials required, and the cost of transport
• Particular constraints linked to the site : topography, nature of the soil, urbanism and environmental constraints….

Whatever the the quote for the project, the final bill is decided on by the contracted companies. This is why it is always advisable to look into the competition, and consult several companies.

For projects of a certain size, it is highly recommended to to get the advice of a specialised survey firm to establish the schedule and the cost for the work to be done, so as to avoid forgetting anything and getting a few nasty surprises. 

Other expenses

The overall cost of a project is not restricted to the constrruction work. Around 20 % extra should be factored in to take into account fees and various expenses such as : certified surveyor, study of the soils, drainage study, reprography, advertising, inspection office, health and safety and project management. Lastly, VAT should be accounted for.

This will give you the cost kown as the objective cost including taxes, but keep in mind that it is an estimation following national average prices. The estimation will be fine tuned by the project manager, but the actual cost will only be verified once the different companies have been consulted.

The technical points and design drawings are available in the book  « Organisation and equipment of an equestrian center », which can be found in the book store of the Haras Nationaux (French National stud).