Conference noted::equitation

	 If you can find barrels, 3 is a good number, you can jump
     those.

	Old tires are pretty cheap.

	 Buy a  sheet  of  plywood, cut it to about 2 1/2 feet by 8 feet
     and nail a 2x4 to the back and you have a panel.

	 Build a brush box out of 2x4's.

	 Build a  wall  out  of 2x4's and plywood. Paint a brick wall on
     one side and simething bright and wild on the other.

	 Buy some 1x6's or 1x8's and notch the ends and you have a plank
     jump.

	 Some bales of moldy hay can be used as a hay jump.

	 I am building 6 cavalletti - cost ~ $100 in materials, but they
     should last a *long* time.

	 A piece of astro-turf over the barrels makes a 'roll-top'.

	 Lie a  tarp  on  the  ground with a pole on either side and you
     have a 'ditch' or 'water' jump.

	 A section of picket fence shortened a bit and you have a picket
     -  be  sure you use a rail on top so your horse is less apt to hurt
     himself on the points. (Or cut off the points altogether.)
    

    .1 sounds like the contents of my back yard!
    
    I've also added a few more barrels (total).  They can be laid on
    their sides for a low jump, or lined up vertically for about a 3ft
    jump.  They also make a nice jump when stacked as a pyramid and
    can serve as fake standards if you get desperate.
    
    I made a coop of plywood (painted different on each side) from some
    directions in Practical Horseman.  They also had plans for a brush
    box and a wall.  And I NEVER turn down old artificial Xmas trees
    or plastic flowers.
    
    There's also an old ladder that makes a useful "gate" And the top
    of a discarded picnic table that serves as a panel.
    
    If you are riding inside, or need these to be mobile, consider
    the variety of cardboard boxes and styrofoam packing material
    that can make wonderful walls.  There especially nice if you are
    scared of hitting solid jumps, but they may need to be weighted
    or propped up so they don't fall down as you jump them.

  

    .2 reminded me:
    
    I have a 6' fake Xmas tree that I'm willing to give away.  The metal
    is rusty (damp cellar), but I don't think it's terribly noticeable.
    
    I'm at MK01 (Merrimack, NH), and can bring it to work if you want
    to pick it up here.
    
    
    Susan

    Note .1 mentions a cost of about $100 to make your own cavaletti's
    
    Can anyone tell me how much these would be if one was to buy them
    new and/or used?  Would that be for the uprights alone or do the
    cross poles come with it, usually as a package deal?
    
    Reason being - I have a chance to buy some used jump equipment (from
    a friend/neighbor.  Neither of us is looking for anything more than
    a fair price.  He doesn't need to get rich (just clear out an old
    shed). 
    
    They have not been used for at least 2 years and have been
    stored inside for all that time.  They were originally used for
    Shriners Horse Shows - would that make them different than what
    the (only) average pleasure rider would use?
    
    ALL input GREATLY appreciated...
    
    Cheryl
    
    
    
    

    
    
    I am in the process of painting some posts for jumps, and other
    jump materials.  Is there anything SAFE for use around horses?
    Or will an outdoor weather paint due?
    
    I've seen instances where horses have been in a lesson, or turned
    in an arena with jumps and when standing around have taken a few
    bites.   
    
    
    Nancy
    

    K....
    
    Paula and I will probably be taking jump lessons this spring, till
    then we are doing some work on our own.  I once did alot of jumping
    while in college, my favorite!  Lots of work, but well worth it.
    So we are inventing our jump course outdoors, as well as in.
    
    Thanks, I probably have some outdoor latex at home anyway.
    
    Nancy
    

    RE: .1
    
    Where did you buy the plastic jump cups?  I am in the 
    thought stage of designing and building a jump course
    at our barn.  I hope I can get the other boarders in-
    volved in the fun of creating our own course.
    
    Any ideas for jumps and materials would be of great 
    help.  Thanks in advance for any replys in this note
    file as I am borrowing this account at the moment.
    
    **Marti**
    

    Try your local tractor supply store, Central Tractor in my area PA
    sells a large assortment of pins for tractor impliments. You should
    be able to find something that would work nicely at such a place.
    Sandy
    

    
   K-
    
    You could try wooden dowels, with holes in one end to tie onto the
    cups.
    
    Just a thought......
    
    Nancy 

    Im in the process of building several sets of jump standards, Ive been
    'creative' about the jumps themselves, have a good variety, and am
    ready to begin the painting part....does anyone know off the top of
    their heads what sort of paint is safe for horses to chew on ?? My ring
    doubles as a paddock, and I really DON'T want to set up and take down
    jumps each time I ride. :-) I have an old can of outdoor latex stain
    (redwood) that I think would look nice...but my gelding just adores
    putting things in his mouth...

   I don't think there is any paint that is really 'safe' 
   for horses to ingest. 

   I used latex paint and water-based stain on my fences. 
   I have a can of the latex redwood stain too. It looks
   the most horrid shade of orange when you paint it on,
   but don't panic, it looks nice when it dries. 

   My fences didn't get nibbled much since there were plenty 
   of yummier things for them to eat. However I did bring the
   fences in for the winter in November when all the grass
   was gone. By then the footing was pretty rough anyway. 

    I agree that there's probably no paint that should be regular, large
    part of a horse's diet. Certainly, any paints w/lead in them should be
    avoided if there are any such paints still on the market.
    
    If you're using locally available paints, perhaps the safest thing to do 
    is to use a brand of paint that's safe for painting around children.
    Kids are known to put stuff in their mouths and gnaw. 
    
    However, there are brands of paint designed for use around horses I would
    think that such brands would be as safe as any for horses because of
    their wide use on all those miles and miles of white board fence in
    Kentucky.
    
    Another idea might be to call your county agent and ask what kinds of
    paint are approved for use around livestock.
    
    John

    Greetings!
    
    Can help me? My daughter (13) has the loan of a small pony that she 
    exercises in a paddock. She has expressed a wish that she gets some 
    jumps for the pony. 
    
    My son is a carpenter therefore we shouldn't have a great deal of 
    trouble building the jumps. A local saw mill sells "jump poles" and 
    she's contacted a local equestrian supplier re "jump cups". However it 
    would be really useful if we could research the construction of jumps.
    
    If you could me refer either to books or UK magazine articles on this 
    subject.
    
    My wish is to build a simple jump quickly. Then secretly build a 
    variety of jumps to surprise her with at Christmas. Hopefully the field 
    is well drained and the winter isn't to wet. (Some hope!)
    
    Look forward to hearing from you either here or via mail to,
    
    Howard Easton @NEW (NEWOA::EASTON_H)
    
    Thanks.