Cheap DIY jump ideas! Here's mine

[trubandloki]

Some amazing ideas in this thread! Thank you!

[QUOTE=RugBug;8754411]
Does anyone worry about all the nails in pallets? That is what has kept me from doing anything with pallets despite having access to a lot of them. I do not lot nails in my ring at all…[/QUOTE]
Nope.
When we use pallets for construction projects we tend to pull all the nails and other pokey objects. Yes, it is a ton more work. But it insures there are not random staples or broken nails.
You can then use screws to put things back together.

@RugBug;8754596

A pallet is an afterthought in construction. It’s not meant to last…and that is what worries me.

Pallets are a business, not an after thought.
The pallets I tend to get my hands on are made from oak.
Like has been said, there are nasty cheap pallets meant to hold light weight loads. Those might not be the best option for this.

[gerut]

A blue yoga mat makes a good portable “liverpool.”

[Kottbulle]

gerut, that is a brilliant idea… never thought of that and it could easily be held down with a landscape timber or floor boxes!

[allpurpose]

I have heard that you should cut the strings on the hay bales if you’re using them as jumps. The theory is that if a hoof goes through the bale you all of a sudden have a 50#++ bale wrapped/trapped around a leg. Not a good scenario.

If you use pallets, make sure the space between the planks is small - again, you don’t want a leg going through and getting trapped.

[trubandloki]

[QUOTE=allpurpose;8756168]
I have heard that you should cut the strings on the hay bales if you’re using them as jumps. The theory is that if a hoof goes through the bale you all of a sudden have a 50#++ bale wrapped/trapped around a leg. Not a good scenario. [/QUOTE]

I think there is a point when being careful leaps into being paranoid.

There is nothing safe about jumping over anything. I think a bale of hay/straw is about as not dangerous of a jump as you can get.

I think the average bale is not going to be attached very long if a horse is freaking out.

@allpurpose

If you use pallets, make sure the space between the planks is small - again, you don’t want a leg going through and getting trapped.

Wide spacing solves the same problem.

[gerut]

Yes, but unless it’s really windy, it just lays there nicely! unroll it before you ride, then roll it back up when you’re finished:)

[awaywego]

I found pvc shutters (for house windows) at my local Habitat for Humanity Restore. I used them to make the 2 sides for flower boxes. Don’t even have to paint them

*cue someone telling me these are also dangerous

[RugBug]

[QUOTE=awaywego;8757222]
I found pvc shutters (for house windows) at my local Habitat for Humanity Restore. I used them to make the 2 sides for flower boxes. Don’t even have to paint them

*cue someone telling me these are also dangerous[/QUOTE]

They’re dangerous.

(FWIW - 1. That was a joke…just in case someone doesn’t get it. 2. I think it’s better to think through the dangers of specific materials rather than to just stick them out there and come what may. So what if you seem like a paranoid lunatic.)

[fordtraktor]

Well, I agree wihh you that certain pallets are dangerous. Others are super duper sturdy. I have some that are like fortresses and some that I had to put plywood on top to stack hay on. Pick kind 1 to make jumps!!!

[RugBug]

[QUOTE=fordtraktor;8758245]
Well, I agree wihh you that certain pallets are dangerous. Others are super duper sturdy. I have some that are like fortresses and some that I had to put plywood on top to stack hay on. Pick kind 1 to make jumps!!![/QUOTE]

The ones I am around most hold quite a bit of weight, but they are pretty thrashed on…thus my concern.