How to Build a Horse Track

Locate where you want to build your horse track. It should be as level as possible, with good drainage and away from buildings and roads. Some of the largest professional tracks measure more than a mile. Half of that, or even a quarter, is acceptable for a small home-based track.

Hitch the plow onto the tractor and then plow the area where you want to build your horse track. For non-competitive riding, you'll want to have at least a 10-foot track width. If you intend to ride against others, the track should be at least 15 feet wide. Plow up a long straight, followed by a 180-degree turn and another straight. Complete the track with another 180-degree turn.

Remove the plow from the tractor and carefully scrutinize the plowed area. Remove any rocks you find that are larger than the size of your fist, as well as any branches or buried debris.

Hitch the disk harrow to the tractor and run it over the plowed track. This will break up the larger chunks of sod and dirt that the plow did not get, smoothing out the track. When this is complete, inspect the track for any low spots and fill them with dirt so that there is a level surface on which to run. You may have to run the harrow over the track several times to obtain the evenness you'll need.

Remove the harrow from the tractor and hitch on the rake. This will take the harrow's work one step further, leaving behind a smooth track surface and removing the smaller stones or twigs that might cause problems.

Run your horse over the track several times per week so that the animal becomes used to the feel of the dirt. Just before the end of summer and at the close of winter, run the disk cultivator over the track to ensure that it doesn't pack down too much.