How PA Horse Lovers Are Raising the Ceiling on Their Riding Arenas’ Potential

How PA Horse Lovers Are Raising the Ceiling on Their Riding Arenas’ Potential

There’s no way around it. Horses need space. And if you’re thinking of investing in a new horse barn or riding arena, your starting footprint makes a tremendous difference in determining the ultimate potential of your operations.

Unfortunately, standard horse barn construction in our area tends to cap out at mid-sized facilities—limiting operators’ boarding and training capabilities, and by virtue of that limiting their total cash flow. That said, there is some good news—especially if you’re living here in the PA, NJ, and MD tri-state area.

So if you’re wondering if bigger is indeed better for your horse barn—and how a little extra space can massively raise the roof on your horse business’s potential—this one’s for you. 

What Size Riding Arena Do I Need?

If you’ve done any research on horse barn designs and riding arenas, you’ve likely come across the following numbers—all standard sizes for horse facilities in our area.

• Horse Stalls: 12’ x 12’
• Private Arena: 60’ x 120’
• General Purpose Arena: 80’ x 100’
• Large/Commercial Arena: 100’ x 200’

While a few horse stalls and a mid-sized riding arena works for many owners, larger sizes are required for operations banking on boarding, riding lessons, and steady income during the colder months when things move indoors.

That said, there’s a catch: not all contractors are willing to build the larger facilities necessary to accommodate growing operations.

Here’s why. ↓

Why Won’t Contractors Build Larger Arenas?

Even if you are willing to invest in a larger horse barn or arena, not all post-frame builders will tackle the project. Why? Because larger structures require more advanced engineering, greater safety precautions, team coordination, and skilled labor.

In other words, there’s too much they can’t handle or are simply unwilling to assume the risk of potential liabilities. For this reason, it’s essential to find the right builder for your riding arena if you want a building capable of growing with your business.

We’ll get into that in a bit. For now, let’s bring it back to the horses—and how space affects the potential of your outfit.

How Does an Additional 20’ to 30’ of Width Affect Your Arena?

Below are typical arena sizes and what each tier is able to safely accommodate. When considering the size of your horse barns and stalls, keep in mind where you’d like to go—and plan accordingly.

A 60’ x 120’ riding arena (7,200 sq. ft.) is adequate for:

• One rider to work freely, or
• Two (at the most) if riders are coordinated and experienced

An 80’ x 160’ riding arena (5,600 sq. ft.)  allows you to:

• Run a small group lesson with 3-4 riders
• Set up a partial jump course without shutting down the rest of the arena

By expanding to a 100’ x 200’ (20,000 sq. ft.) arena, you’re able to:

• Run two distinct lesson groups simultaneously
• Host clinics without canceling daily training
• Set up full courses while maintaining flatwork space
• Safely accommodate 5-6 horses working at once

In other words, space matters—and the size of your arena makes a massive impact on the type of business you’re able to run, with large horse barns and arenas providing the best potential for multiple revenue lanes that boost your bottom line.

Why Is Extra Width Especially Important During Winter?

If you’re operating in PA, NJ, or MD—or anywhere with real winters—this isn’t news to you: When the ground freezes, your indoor spaces become your entire program.

This leads to many equestrian facilities, horse barns, and riding arenas slowing down scheduling over the winter months—giving owners with modern horse barns and larger spaces an advantage when it comes to producing year-round income.

And there are benefits to larger spaces beyond the purely financial: More space (particularly increased ceiling heights) improves airflow, reduces condensation, gives riders confidence over fences, and can promote the animals’ well-being. 

Is A Bigger Horse Barn or Riding Arena Always Better?

When contemplating size, the unvarnished truth is that bigger barns aren’t always better. Simply put, they’re more expensive. So whether or not the added investment is worth it to you boils down to running the numbers.

That said, if you’re a private owner and a modest structure works best for you—great. However, growth-minded investors are wise to consider potential revenues when discussing building plans for horse barns. 

Because for trainers, boarding facilities, or performance-focused operations, underbuilding can lead to loss of future business that costs owners more long-term.

How to Get a Wider (and Higher) Riding Arena—Easily

For horse operations in PA, NJ, and MD, Tristate Buildings specializes in higher and wider structures than many other builders in our area. 

Kevin Weaver, founder of Tristate, weighs in on the specifics:

“Typically, competition will not go wider than 80 feet. Most contractors will do up to 20’, or maybe 22’ ceiling height, but once you get above those heights, most companies won’t do it. We can go up to 100’ wide clear span trusses and can also go up to 30’ high ceiling height.”

This is good news for horse lovers, as increased clear spans and vertical space make for comfortable riding and lodging of even more horses year-round.

Here’s how Tristate makes it possible:

• With designers using sophisticated schematic and drawing softwares
• Meticulously training all crew members beyond industry standards
• Drawing on over 35 years of post-frame construction experience
• Relying on a team with multiple members carrying 10+ years expertise

So if you’re thinking bigger might be better for your horse barn and riding arena, you’re in good hands.

Thinking Bigger Just Might Be Better for Your Custom Horse Barn?

Horse stable building is a big deal—especially if you’re thinking of expanding your operations for future growth. And the last thing you want—straight from the mouths of our experienced horse barn builders—is buyer's remorse.

That’s why Tristate is ready to answer all of your questions: to make sure you end up with a building you love and that serves your horse operations for a lifetime. By giving us a call, you get an initial consultation and free quote from a trusted partner excited to take you through the entire process.

And with all projects backed by a Lifetime Workmanship Warranty—plus no obligations or strings attached following your phone call—there’s absolutely no reason not to take the first step toward your dream horse barn today. 

So giddyup.

Get Your Free Quote

Tristate Buildings has been providing post-frame buildings for horse farms, agricultural and commercial operations, and residential uses for over 35 years. All projects come backed by a Lifetime Workmanship Warranty and the assurance of working with specialty crews trained beyond industry standards. Reach out today to take the first step toward your dream building—by connecting with a friendly, knowledgeable team member committed to your success.

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