Making Your Own Jumps by Mary Watson

Be forewarned: you'll need more than a hammer and nails. Try this list on for size: plenty of posts, 2 by 4's, a few barrels, poles, planks, a long gate, bales of hay or straw, telephone poles or tree trunks, old tires, rope and don't forget the electric saw. All of the jumps described and illustrated in this booklet look very professional, which may be the problem: you just might have to be a professional to build them. At the very least, you're going to need some muscle. Fortunately, the focus of the booklet is not impressing your neighbors but on safety. For example, a single pole without a groundline is difficult for the horse to judge. A narrow gate might teach a horse bad habits such as running out. And rope is safer than wire or nails for securing rails since it can easily be cut in an emergency. This is one from the Threshold Picture Guide series of booklets published in England by Kenilworth Press. HIGHLIGHTS: - Types of show jumps - Wings, stands, cups and pins - Planning a jumping course - Constructing cross-country fences - Ditches, banks, steps and water jumps - Tools and maintenance. 24pgs, P, 1999