Sounding Board for arena

[Dianna]

I have an indoor arena -- space available with new sand, is 60 X 100. How wide and how long should the sounding board be? My current idea is to use 4 X 4 pallets, with 3/4 inch plywood over them. Anyone with experience in building a sounding board, I would love to hear from you.

Thank you.
Dianna

[Pasogirlz]

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Glad to have you with us.

I have seen all size sounding boards. I figure it's what ever size you have the room for. ;-)

[Barbwire]

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[CarolU]

Welcome to the board...

At most shows the board is 4' wide and 60' long. You do not need one that long though to practice and train your horse to go down it. You should be able to gait onto and off of the board. The primary consideration is that you make it a safe board so the horse never gets hurt or becomes fearful of it. Secure the boards together and make it as plush with the sand on each side as you can.

[Terry Wallace]

Yep...pallets covered with plywood works just finr...that was how my first "board" was made. Oak pallets, covered with 3/4" treated plywood, with 1X's running down the sides to keep the whole board aligned, and rigid.

It lasted about 6 years...but was outside ion the Colorado weather 24/7

You need the heavy oak pallets and not the cheapy pallets, so the board will not sag in areas.

Plywood IS slick... especially when grit/dirt gets on it...sweep it often!

[PasoPerson]

These are the plans my former Region used to use to make their sounding boards. Keep in mind these dismantle so they can be hauled to shows from where they are stored. Ignore that part when it's to stay in one place all the time.

Sounding Board
(48" wide by 48’ to 64’ feet long)

Use 3/4" 4x8 sheets of plywood [marine treated]

Stand 2x4 on edge and make frame the same size as plywood sheet.

Put cross members 2’ apart running across frame from side to side

Bill of materials for each 4’ section:
1 - 4' x 8' x 3/4" sheet of plywood
2 - 8' long 2x4's
5 - 3'8" pieces 2xf for cross members
20 – 1½ - 2" wood screws to hold plywood to 2x4
20 - 4" wood screws or 20-penny nails to hold frame together

Let the ply wood hang over one end 1" to lap onto the next section
It will be 1" short on the opposite end so section can lap onto it

Also need:
7 pairs of 4" “take apart hinges” to hold sections together

[Dianna]

Thank you all so much for your replies on my request for building a sounding board.
I was afraid that I did not have enough length available, as I have to use within a 100 foot length space. BUT, yea, I do have enough.
I just had the sand delivered, before my trip to the super clinic in Nampa, Idaho -- so I have not even had the opportunity to try it out yet. BUT, it will be easy to clear away down to the hard pack, when laying the sounding board.
The Idaho Clinic, I must say, I've never in one place met so many nice people. Thanks to all of you for your assistance -- as I ended up :roll: (pun intended) a bit needy.
Dianna

[CarolU]

We used construction strapping strips to put together the sections for the board we built at Mile high...worked great.

Plan on replacing your plywood every few years if it is outdoors...screwing it on works better then nails for this.

Dianna, I am one of the Utahn's you met at Sandy's clinic.

[Terry Wallace]

Good point CarolU..I use the galvanizeddeck screws...not nails, and I forgot all about that...

Nails would work lose and have the heads poping up in time...

I have wondered about putting some kind of anti-slip on the top...like sand paper type of grit...haven't tried that...