Last Updated on August 18, 2022
If you are struggling to afford to buy purpose-made horse jumps, there are some great ideas for easy to make DIY horse jumps that you can try! Whether you’re a beginner at woodwork or experienced with using power tools, we’ve got some great suggestions for you here. Let’s take a look at the ultimate easy to make DIY horse jumps!
What Are The Best Easy To Make DIY Horse Jumps?
Although we’d all love to treat ourselves to some purpose-made horse jumps, making our own from commonly used objects can be a far more affordable option. You may be able to find the materials for free laying around your barn, or by collecting stuff that other people are throwing out.
Here are our favorite ideas for easy to make DIY horse jumps:
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Barrels
Plastic or wooden barrels are a simple way to make a quick and easy jump for horses. The great thing about barrels is that they come in a range of sizes, and can be used in many different ways.
A row of small barrels can be laid on their side to make a jump for horses, or you could stand them upright and use them to balance poles on. Larger wooden barrels can be cut in half vertically to create a low but wide jump for horses.
If you are using lightweight plastic barrels, consider putting some sand or gravel inside them to weigh them down and stop them from blowing away.
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Wood
If you’ve got a long wooden pole, then you’ve got the makings of a jump for horses! All you need to find is something to balance the ends of the pole on, such as barrels or tires.
For anyone with more experience in DIY, wood can be used to create your own version of the commercially-available horse jumps that you see at competitions. You can be as simple or fancy as you like when creating your jumps, it is entirely up to you!
The basic essentials of a jump for horses is a pair of wings, that sit on either side of the jump. Each wing is an upright post that supports the horizontal poles, over which the horse jumps. On each wing, you need adjustable jump cups, which hold the horizontal poles at different heights.
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Tires
Used tires are super easy to get hold of, and make great jumps for horses! You can use them in a variety of different ways to create some interesting and fun jumps for you and your horse to enjoy.
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Tires can be stacked up to create instant jump wings, onto which the poles are balanced. Alternatively, you can place a row of tires upright between wooden blocks, creating a solid jump. Tires that have been cut in half make a clever and interesting cross-country jump.
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What Do You Need To Consider When Making DIY Horse Jumps?
When making jumps for horses, the number one consideration needs to be the health and safety of both the horse and rider.
The jumps should be made from materials that minimize the risk of injury to the horse if he accidentally knocks or lands on the jump. This is why we suggest that you stick to using wood, rubber tires, or plastic barrels.
If you are considering making some jumps for your horse, make sure that they are safe and free from any spikes or nails that could harm your horse. Jumping poles should be smooth and free from splinters.
The other thing to consider is how inviting the jump is to your horse. Anything that is too weird or wonderful may frighten your horse. It is also essential that the horse can see the jump clearly, otherwise, he cannot accurately judge his take-off and landing points.
Unless you are specifically building solid jumps that are designed to be part of a cross-country course, your jumps should fall down if the horse knocks them. This is not such an issue with tires and barrels, but if the horse hits a solid pole he can sustain a serious injury.
Summary – Easy To Make DIY Horse Jumps
So, as we have learned, there are some great ideas for easy to make DIY horse jumps! Although we’d all love to treat ourselves to some purpose-made horse jumps, making our own from commonly used objects can be a far more affordable option. If you are considering making some jumps for your horse, make sure that they are safe and free from any spikes or nails that could harm your horse.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on easy to make DIY horse jumps! Have you got the skills to make a full set of horse jumps for you and your equine friend to enjoy? Or perhaps you’ve got a super-simple idea for some easy to make DIY horse jumps? Leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you!
FAQ’s
How do you make a homemade jump?
Making a homemade jump for horses is relatively simple, and you can improvise with some commonly used objects to make jumps for horses. If you are good at DIY, then making a set of jump wings with cups to hold the poles at different heights should not be too complex.
How do you make jump cups for horse jumps?
Although jump cups can be bought from most equestrian stores, it is possible to make a simple DIY version at home. The easiest way is to use a piece of rope that slips through the pre-drilled hole on the jump wing. This is then passed through a piece of plastic tubing or wooden block, and the ends tied together to create a jump cup.
What can you make horse jumps out of?
Horse jumps are commonly made out of wood, but you can also use objects such as tires, tree trunks, and pallets. Never use metal to make horse jumps, as the horse may injure himself if he hits the metal.
How do you make a jump out of pallets?
Pallets are a quick and easy way to make wings for horse jumps. They should be supported with a cross at the bottom to stop them falling over.
Kate Chalmers is a qualified veterinary nurse who has specialized in horse care for the vast majority of her career. She has been around horses since she was a child, starting out riding ponies and helping out at the local stables before going on to college to study Horse Care & Management. She has backed and trained many horses during her lifetime and competed in various equestrian sports at different levels.
After Kate qualified as a veterinary nurse, she provided nursing care to the patients of a large equine veterinary hospital for many years. She then went on to teach horse care and veterinary nursing at one of the top colleges in the country. This has led to an in-depth knowledge of the care needs of horses and their various medical ailments, as well as a life-long passion for educating horse owners on how to provide the best possible care for their four-legged friends.
Kate Chalmers BSc (Hons) CVN, Dip AVN (Equine) Dip HE CVN EVN VN A1 PGCE
