How to Construct Horse Jumps

Building and setting up your own jumps is an excellent way to train your horse. Ground pole and jumping exercises teach a horse to balance, and can be used to teach the horse to extend his gaits and lengthen his stride as well. However, no matter what type of horse you have or what type of riding you do, it is important to make sure the jumps you work with are both sturdy and safe.

Things You'll Need

2-by-4s
Nails
Hammer
Jump poles

Instructions

- 1
  Determine how high you want to make the jumps. If you are working with a young horse, it is a good idea to keep the jumps low and simple. As your horse progresses, you can make the jumps higher and more challenging. For young horses who are just learning, a couple of jumps between 12-inches and 24-inches in height is a good start.
- 2
  Cut the 2-by-4s to length depending on how high you want to make the jumps. Nail the 2-by-4 pieces together to form an "X." Place one "X" on the ground, place the jump pole on top of it and then place the other "X" at the end of the pole. It is important to use a standard jump pole, rather than construct a pole using other pieces of lumber. Jump poles are designed so that they are less likely to injure the horse if he hits them. Standard jump poles are generally eight feet long, although longer ones are available as well.
- 3
  Place a ground pole in front of each jump you make. This ground pole will make it easier for you and your horse to judge the distance to the jump. To construct a ground pole, you can simply take one of your jumping poles and place it on the ground in front of the jump.
- 4
  Arrange the jumps to give your horse plenty of room to work. The jumps can be rearranged as needed to make a more challenging pattern. For larger and more complicated jumps, it is generally best to purchase a set of sturdy jump standards and adjust them as needed. These jump standards can often be purchased used for less than $50, less than the cost to make your own.