This project transformed an indoor horse arena with a customized lighting upgrade that replaced an outdated metal halide system. The client experienced challenges with their previous lighting setup, including uneven lighting, hot spots, and dark areas that affected visibility and comfort for both riders and horses. Access Fixtures provided a tailored LED solution using high-performance horse arena lights, ensuring even illumination, reduced glare, and improved brightness. This upgrade not only enhanced visibility and safety but also delivered a long-term, energy-efficient lighting solution specifically designed to meet the unique requirements of an indoor riding environment.
Key Takeaways
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- Uniform Light Distribution: The new LED horse arena lights eliminated previous dark spots and hot spots, providing consistent illumination throughout the arena and significantly improving visibility and rider safety.
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- Precision Lighting Levels: The final lighting design achieved an average of 43.4 footcandles, exceeding the client’s desired 40 fc level and achieving a balanced max/min ratio of 1.82.
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- Tailored LED Solution: Access Fixtures provided a customized layout using HIIO LED high bays with diffused lenses and a 4000K color temperature, delivering ideal low-glare illumination in a close-proximity riding environment.
Project Overview
- Project Title: Indoor Horse Arena Lighting Upgrade
- Location: Bloomington, IN 47404
- Client Type: Private Riding Arena Facility
- Objective: Replace the outdated metal halide lights with high-quality LED horse arena lights to achieve consistent brightness, reduce glare, and meet the 40-footcandle lighting standard required for recreational riding.
Initial Consultation
During the initial consultation, the client expressed dissatisfaction with their current lighting setup. The primary concerns included uneven brightness across the arena, which created uncomfortable light contrasts, and the need for low-glare lighting due to the 15-foot mounting height. Access Fixtures’ lighting specialist, Leana Modeste, assessed these needs and recommended HIIO LED fixtures with a 4000K color temperature and an 80-degree beam angle for balanced coverage and visual comfort. Leana reviewed the photometric layout with the client, demonstrating how this design would eliminate dark spots while enhancing glare control. She also assured the client of the fixtures’ durability, highlighting the L70 rating of 50,000 hours for reliable, long-term performance.
Photometric Analysis
To confirm the layout would meet the client’s expectations, Access Fixtures conducted a photometric analysis. This analysis illustrated how the LED horse arena lights would deliver consistent, well-balanced illumination across the riding area:
- Light Levels: The analysis confirmed an average illuminance of 43.4 footcandles, meeting and slightly exceeding the client’s goal of 40 fc to ensure bright, uniform lighting.
- Uniformity: With a max/min ratio of 1.82, the new lighting layout reduced abrupt transitions between light and dark areas, creating a comfortable and safe environment for riders.
- Fixture Layout: The design incorporated 21 HIIO fixtures arranged in three rows of seven, optimized for even light distribution across the arena.
The photometric report, shared with the client, provided a clear, data-driven illustration of how the final layout would improve visibility and enhance overall lighting quality within the arena.
Design & Customization
Crafting a tailored lighting solution for the horse arena required a precise, customized approach. Key design factors included:
- Fixture Selection: HIIO LED high bays were selected for their durability, high lumen output, and diffused lenses, providing bright, uniform lighting with reduced glare. The 4000K color temperature was chosen to create a natural lighting environment ideal for indoor horse arenas.
- Beam Angle and Glare Control: Each fixture was set to an 80-degree beam angle with diffuser lenses to minimize glare, essential at the 15-foot mounting height.
- Optimized Layout: The layout’s configuration in three rows of seven fixtures was based on photometric analysis results, ensuring that light was evenly distributed across the 60 x 150-foot space without excessive brightness or darkness.
- Long-Term Reliability: With a lifespan of 50,000 hours (L70 rating), the selected fixtures provide an energy-efficient, low-maintenance lighting solution, reducing future maintenance needs and costs.
This customized design addressed the specific needs of the indoor arena, providing bright, balanced lighting that enhanced the riding experience for both horses and riders.
Implementation & Results
The installation of the new LED horse arena lights marked a significant improvement in the lighting quality throughout the arena. Previously, the arena had areas of extreme brightness and shadow, creating an inconsistent visual experience for riders. After installation, the transformation was immediately noticeable:
- Before and After Photos: The arena lighting improved from a space with scattered, inconsistent illumination to a fully and evenly lit environment.
- Installed Lighting Fixtures: The HIIO LED high bays, set to 4000K, were installed with diffused lenses and mounted at 15 feet, providing optimal light distribution without causing glare.
- Cost Efficiency: The installation cost for the 21 HIIO fixtures was $2,727.27, offering the client a cost-effective solution that aligned with their budget while delivering high-performance lighting.
- Project Benefits: The LED lighting solution enhanced visibility, safety, and comfort, creating an upgraded arena that met both functional and aesthetic standards. Improved light quality supported better visibility throughout the riding space, and reduced glare allowed for a safer, more enjoyable experience.
Final Thoughts
The client expressed satisfaction with the new lighting, noting the significant improvement in the arena’s quality and usability: “Thanks for checking in. Yes, my electrician got the lights installed. I think they turned out pretty well.” This project’s success highlights Access Fixtures’ ability to deliver high-performance horse arena lights tailored to meet the specific needs of an indoor riding facility. Leana Modeste reflected that understanding the client’s requirements and collaborating on design led to a solution that exceeded expectations and aligned with both performance and budgetary goals.
Conclusion
This horse arena lighting project successfully transformed the client’s space into a safe, well-lit, and visually comfortable environment. By providing an energy-efficient and customized LED solution, Access Fixtures addressed the client’s lighting challenges with targeted expertise. The final result not only improved lighting quality and uniformity but also met the functional needs of an indoor riding arena, showcasing the effectiveness of custom LED horse arena lights for equestrian applications.
Additional Resources
To learn more about Horse Arena and Equestrian Arena Lighting, click here.
For more information on Indoor Horse Arena Lighting Solutions, click here.
Indoor Horse Arena Lighting Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You have questions on high-performance LED horse arena lighting. We have answers. If you have a question that isn’t answered below, contact an Access Fixtures lighting specialist at (800) 468-9925 or click here.
Why are HIIO LED fixtures ideal for horse arena lights?
HIIO LED fixtures deliver uniform light distribution with diffused lenses to minimize glare, essential for horse arenas where visibility and comfort are priorities.
Is this layout adjustable for different arena sizes?
Yes, Access Fixtures provides custom photometric analyses to design layouts optimized for specific arena dimensions, ensuring even light distribution.
How long can these LED fixtures be expected to last?
With an L70 rating of 50,000 hours, these fixtures are designed for long-lasting performance, making them a practical choice for horse arenas.
Can the color temperature be customized?
Absolutely. HIIO fixtures offer adjustable color temperatures, with this project using 4000K to provide a natural white light ideal for indoor arenas.
What is the max/min ratio, and why is it important?
The max/min ratio measures the balance of light distribution. A lower ratio, like the 1.82 achieved here, prevents overly bright or dark areas, enhancing visibility and comfort.
Are these LED lights energy-efficient?
Yes, HIIO LED fixtures are highly efficient, providing bright illumination with minimal power consumption, making them cost-effective over time.
Can these lights be used in outdoor horse arenas?
While this project was for an indoor arena, HIIO fixtures are versatile and can be adapted for various types of equestrian facilities, including outdoor arenas.
What mounting options are available for HIIO fixtures?
These fixtures are flexible in mounting and can be customized to meet arena needs. For this project, they were mounted at 15 feet to optimize light coverage.
What was the improvement in light levels after the retrofit?
The arena lighting was upgraded to an average of 43.4 footcandles, achieving uniform and bright illumination that enhanced the riding experience.
Does Access Fixtures offer support for lighting adjustments post-installation?
Yes, Access Fixtures provides customer support and is available for any questions or guidance on maintenance after installation.