How to Make a Triple Bar Jumping Fence

A triple bar jumping fence can be made in a number of different ways depending upon the materials available. A triple bar is a type of horse jump called a "spread," which means it is wide as well as high, and a "staircase," which means the front bar is set low, the next a little higher, and the third bar higher still. The jump can be built by a person with do-it-yourself carpentry skills or set up with drums and poles, which requires no skill.

Things You'll Need

  • Six 4-by-4 posts
  • Two 2-by-4 posts
  • Tape measure
  • Saw
  • Power drill
  • Galvanized screws or bolts
  • Screwdriver
  • Three shaved wood or PVC 12-foot poles
  • Jump cups
  • Paint
  • Two 55 gallon metal drums
  • Two 30 gallon metal drums
  • Two 15 gallon metal drums
  • Potted plants or brush boxes
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Instructions

  1. A Formal Triple Bar Fence

    • 1

      Draw the plans for your jump with measurements. This will enable you to determine what materials to buy.

    • 2

      Make the upright posts first. To make one pair, cut two four-by-four posts to around four to five feet each. Saw eight lengths of two-by-four inch lumber to two feet each. Attach four of them to the base of each post in a spiral fashion with bolts or long screws, each being flush with a side of the post. These are the "feet" of the uprights. Make certain they are level and the upright does not wobble. A triple bar jump needs six uprights.

    • 3

      Drill holes at even intervals to hold the jump cups. Use a power drill to drill through the posts at intervals of four inches, starting at two feet above the ground. Paint the upright posts and the jump poles however you desire. Jump poles are usually striped white and a bright color and uprights are most often white.

    • 4

      Set up the jump. Place three uprights at each side of the jump, one behind the other. Set the cup holders at the lowest hole in the first pair and rest a pole in them to make the lowest tier. Set the cup holders in the next pair of uprights two holes higher and rest a pole on them. Repeat the process with the third pair of uprights. Spread the uprights out to increase the breadth of the jump.

    • 5

      Fill the jump in with brush or flower pots to make it appear less airy, if desired, and place a large potted plant at each side to make the wings wider and encourage the horse to take the jump.

    An Informal Triple Bar

    • 6

      Paint six metal drums and three poles. Make them striped or solid, according to your own preference. Ideally you need two fifty-five gallon drums, two thirty gallon drums and two fifteen gallon drums.

    • 7

      Set up the drums. Place the largest drum at the back, the next largest in front of it and the small drum in the front. Repeat with the other three drums so that the distance between them is enough to accommodate the poles. Rest a pole across each matched pair of drums. The distance between the drums can be widened to make a greater spead if desired.

    • 8

      Fill in the sides with potted plants and place brush boxes under the poles as fillers. A pole lying on the ground directly under the lowest tier creates a "ground line," which makes it easier for the horse to judge where to take off.