[HorsesAreMyPassion]

I am planning on building a set of cavaletti to use at home. Right now I have a set of 6 12 ft long jump poles that we made from pressure treated lumber and bevelled the edges slightly. They work well as ground poles, but I would like to work with raised poles at home as well.

I have been looking at a few different options. I have seen a couple of different brands of plastic blocks (Horseman's Pride Jump blocks) that the poles can sit on top of or plastic cavaletti stands (Burlingham Sports) that the poles can be set into or we can build the traditional wooden X style cavalettis. I am thinking that I would prefer the traditional wooden X style.

I have a couple of different plans for the wooden X style. One is in the 'You Can Build Jumps, etc' book and I found a good one on this site Texas Horseman's Directory - How to build Cavaletti

I would like to hear your thoughts on what style (traditional wooden X, plastic ends or blocks) you prefer to use and why.

How long should they be? I know traditionally they are 8 ft long, but could they be longer like 10 ft, maybe? I think 10 ft would be a better length, 12 ft may be too long. What are your thoughts on length?

What would be best, round or square poles? I could also get the edges of the square poles bevelled slightly like we did with my jump poles.

What would be the ideal set of cavaletti, a set of 4 or 6?

I would be happy to hear your thoughts and opinions on what you prefer or what you think would be ideal.

 

[Skyseternalangel]

I've never built my own cavaletti.. but it's always been a dream of mine to.

I would do wood rather than plastic. Plastic can get really mangled, wood tends to last longer, especially if it has been treated. I think 4 would be a good number, but you could do 6 and have two sets of 3 for each section of the arena to build in good paces.

Whatever you do, I want pictures!

 

[HorsesAreMyPassion]

Thanks Sky!

I think that I'm going to go with a set of 4, 10 feet long, in the traditional wooden X style. I will get some pictures when they are made. (hopefully soon!)

 

[mls]

I have a set of four. We used treated lumber and softened the edges. Heavy but lasts - unless someone decides to be lazy and drag them around instead of picking them up to move them.

I have four heights. I believe lowest is 6 and top is 20?