Trialing in a horse arena

k9kreationz

k9kreationz

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I have a question for those who have trialed in a horse arena.
Ours is covered, but open on the sides (minus bleachers on two sides). And it's dirt.

I'm debating about doing a trial in September. If it's just as hot now, with the humidity, I don't know if that'll be a good thing or not. There won't be sun hitting us, but if it's humid, it could get bad w/o a breeze. Most times there is a breeze going through, but it's not super strong or anything.

Thoughts? Do you think it's more hot during the summer (I've only trialed here during the winter and it was FREEZING). Do you think w/o the sun, even if it's humid and hot, it'll be cooler than being out on a grassy field?
 
I don't have experience trialing in horse arenas for agility, but I know that for actual horse back riding we always prefer to ride in our indoor arena during the hottest parts of the day during the summer. Much cooler for the horses and riders without the sun beating down on us!! Ours did not have open sides, just double doors that were opened so ours did sometimes get quite humid (but better than being outside in the sun and humidity)
 
Trialing in horse arena

I have trialed in horse arenas.It is not bad.You are out of the elements.It still would be hot but not bearing down on you.I say go for it.
 
As someone who worked in the horse world for 16 years... You'll still be hot and humid. It takes away the sun bearing down, but if it's really hot, you're still going to burn up.
 
Thanks everyone. I'll have to make a decision when the trial gets closer, so I know what the weather is going to be like. Even when we're outdoors, we have an EZ-up and for the most part, we don't have to be out in the sun except to walk the course and run it. Not overly bad. But when it's hot and humid like this, I'm just miserable.

And if that horse arena isn't a 100x cooler, I dunno. Can't say I'd want to be there when it's hot and humid either. lol.

Thanks for the responses. This helps a lot.
 
When we have our 4-H shows they are in the summer and we trial in the animal arenas. Since they are covered, they stay cool inside. It is great to have the open sides so that you get the air flow. The hardest part is when the dogs are crated, because you want to make sure that they stay cool while resting. I suggest making sure that you have a fan for the crate to keep the air moving.

I also say.....go for it!
 
I dont know if this will help or not as our horse arena is fully enclosed, at last months trial the outside temp at 1:30 pm was 89 degrees with 65 % humidity, the temp in the arena was a comfy 72 degrees and it almost felt airconditioned even though it's not. I am sure that even being open on the sides it will be a lot,lot cooler in the arena then outside in the sun. The dirt packed floor seems to retain the coolness pretty much right through the heat of the day at least that been my experience, although it can be a bit harder on the dogs joints then running on grass if it is very hard packed which ours is. Ours is used exclusively for dog agility and they actually roll it with a roller so it get pretty smooth & firm, I would actually like to see them rake it and loosen it up a bit to make it a bit softer myself.
 
Each situation is different, of course, but I absolutely HATED doing obedience trials in horse arenas. The different areanas I've trialled in were all open-sided. Depending on what part of the country you're in, the heat can be stiffling! One trial I was in, they brought in large fans because the inside (under the roof) temp got above 95 degrees and 80 percent humidity.

I had other problems with the horse arenas, though. Though my dogs were (of course) impeccably trained (LOL), all the wonderful smells and the dusty dirt were SOOOO interesting to them that they acted completely out of character. Once, I was horribly mortified by my Border Collie doing a "dump on recall", if you can imagine such a thing. And with my Sheltie, I once performed an off-leash heel all by myself while he decided to stop and sniff a particularly interesting spot in the ring. I've had some of my most humiliating disqualifications in horse arenas, so I'm not much of a fan of them. I stay away from them like the plague.
 
Jaynie said:
Each situation is different, of course, but I absolutely HATED doing obedience trials in horse arenas. The different areanas I've trialled in were all open-sided. Depending on what part of the country you're in, the heat can be stiffling! One trial I was in, they brought in large fans because the inside (under the roof) temp got above 95 degrees and 80 percent humidity.

I had other problems with the horse arenas, though. Though my dogs were (of course) impeccably trained (LOL), all the wonderful smells and the dusty dirt were SOOOO interesting to them that they acted completely out of character. Once, I was horribly mortified by my Border Collie doing a "dump on recall", if you can imagine such a thing. And with my Sheltie, I once performed an off-leash heel all by myself while he decided to stop and sniff a particularly interesting spot in the ring. I've had some of my most humiliating disqualifications in horse arenas, so I'm not much of a fan of them. I stay away from them like the plague.
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Ugh. I could see where in obedience it's a lot easier to get distracted by smells, and the sort. Thankfully, Koji's not a huge sniffer and we've trialed there before. Trust me, the first time was VERY interesting. Never been on dirt before. Sand, rubber, grass yes. Dirt, no. He sniffed around a LOT before the run. But during the run, he focuses on me. Even when he was a baby dog, he ran out or ran to the judge, but never did the sniffing thing. So, I'm safe there.

I could see my other dog, who did Rally, do that. Walking too slow, oh what is that great smell, sniff, sniff. All while I think he's at a heel. LOL. But then again, Miko would never ever be caught on dirt, much less sitting/lying on dirt. So, he wouldn't be in that arena either. LOL.
 
Since the answers are varied, I had a stupid thought. I realized, I should just post this question on my agility club's message board. I'm sure someone in the club has trialed there in the summer, in the heat and can tell me if it's cooler. Duh Cheryl! NOT that I'm trying to waste your time. hehehe.
 
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