Are Fabric Roof Arenas Worth it?

As horse riders, the weather is one of the biggest challenges to our training routines. It can be frustrating for both our horses and us. Overnight rain or snowfall can also make the arena surface too wet to ride in. The ideal is to have a covered ring, so you can still ride if it’s hot, raining, windy, or even snowing. 

Putting in a fabric roof arena is a worthwhile solution. They are often more affordable than their metal counterparts and feel more light and airy. 

If this sounds like an option for your yard, then read on!

What to Expect From Fabric Arena Roofing

If you haven’t ridden in a fabric roof arena before, you may not be familiar with them. There are a few pros and cons to expect. 

Quieter to Ride in

Equestrians who have built or who ride in fabric roof arenas say they are much quieter than metal roofing. Metal roofs are noisy in the rain, and they can tend to tick and creak in the wind. Rain lands softly on fabric roof arenas, and as the fabric is stretched tight over its frame, there is no flapping and noise in windy conditions. 

Some riders warn that the sound of the snow slipping off the fabric roofing can spook horses that aren’t used to it, but this can always be managed to avoid it being a problem. 

More Light and Ventilation

Metal roof arenas can be quite dark, even if they have skylights. This can make arenas dingy, spooky, and without electrical lighting, not ideal visibility-wise if you are doing grid work or jumping. Material roofing lets more light in, making for a brighter riding space.

Fabric roof arenas can be hotter to ride in summer than metal-roofed arenas, some say. However, if you roll up the material sides to let the airflow through, this problem can be easily mitigated. Other riders say that in their experience, fabric roofing allows for better airflow. 

Designed to Withstand Wind and Snow

You may be concerned about whether a fabric roof will last as long as a metal one. Their lifespan is approximately the same. If well-maintained and kept free of debris, they will last for many years.

More Affordable 

Let’s be honest, most equestrian equipment doesn’t come cheap! But you can normally find more affordable options if you shop around. Depending on your manufacturer and arena size, fabric arena roofing can be cheaper than metal. You can also customize your arena design almost endlessly, and it will still come at a cost-effective price.

Is a Fabric Roof Arena Right For You?

While there are pros and cons to all arena designs, fabric roof arenas are well worth considering—their affordability, durability, and ability to let in more light make them an alluring possibility. Plus, you'll be able to ride, giving your horse a safe riding surface to train comfortably in. All in all, fabric roof arenas are great options for those that don't want the weather to dictate when they can train or not.