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5 Free or Cheap DIY Horse Obstacles

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Introducing your horse to obstacles is a great way to help them become calmer, braver horses. The thing is, we spend so much money on our horses, it is nice every once in a while to look at some low-cost ways to help with our horsemanship. These five free or cheap DIY horse obstacles do just that.

Remember, these are just some ideas to get you started. The key is to start looking around at things in the store, in your back yard and even discarded items on the sidewalk to see if you can use it as your next DIY horse obstacle.

The big thing is to make sure anything you use is safe for both the horse and the human. You don’t want anything getting stuck to a scared horse or trapping a foot. Careful attention should be paid that nothing you use has sharp edges as well. 

Pinterest pin - 5 Free or Cheap DIY Horse Obstacles

Each of these 5 ground obstacles can be obtained free or for less than $1 each. As with everything about horses, introducing your horse to new obstacles can be dangerous. If you are unfamiliar or even unsure, be sure to consult an equine professional for help!

Horse Obstacles - Plastic Bags

Horse Obstacle #1: The Grocery Bag

You used to be able to pick these up for free just about anywhere. Now they charge for them. Plastic bags and paper bags can be a great desensitization tool. Plastic bags especially have so many different ways you can use them. Here are some we came up with:

Grocery Bags As Horse Obstacles

  • Rub your horse all over its body with the bag.
  • Walk your horse up / near a railing with bags tied to it.
  • Fill bags with sand and drop them around the arena using them like cones to walk your horse around as if they are cones. I don’t ever walk my horses over plastic bags, they could get caught on your horse which could be dangerous.
  • Plastic bag dance…grab one or more plastic bags in hand and shake em like they are a pom pom. How creative can you get? Will your horse ground tie while you do the hokey pokey and shake it all around? Add a couple jumping jacks, get creative.
  • Paper bags may be easier for some horses to accept than plastic bags. If your horse is really scared of plastic bags, try starting with paper!

Ramp it Up

  • Try different materials of bags like white trash bags, black trash bags, etc.
  • If the bag will hold air, fill it up and use a rubber band to tie it shut. Use as a ground obstacle (weighted down) or as a lightweight but now larger desensitization tool.

Horse Obstacle - Used Tire

Horse Obstacle #2: The Used Tire

Used tires can generally be picked up from your local tire shop for free if you don’t already have one lying around. Stop by your local tire guy and tell him what you need and what it is for.

Don’t let him talk you into paying for it. Tire companies have to PAY to get rid of used tires, most will let you take one off their hands as long as you promise not to bring it back!

Where tires are concerned…bigger is usually better. Big tractor tires are a bit harder to find free so place an add in your local craigslist and see what you can find.

Smaller tires from the tire shop can be arranged in a variety of different patterns. Check out our horse obstacle board on Pinterest for ideas!

  • Fill it with dirt and use it as a step-up / over obstacle. Be sure to fill it solid..you don’t want your horse to catch a hoof in the rim.
  • Stand a few of them on end with half-buried underground and use them as a back through or step over.
  • Lay a few down under a thick, sturdy piece of plywood to “elevate” a bridge.

Horse Obstacle - Crepe Paper Streamers

Horse Obstacle #3: Crepe Paper Streamers

WOW to the number of things we can think of to do with these! They come in sooo many colors and you can pick them up at your local party store for around $1 per roll. Here are some ideas:

  • Use long strips dangled from a barn aisle doorway or gate panel to make a “car wash”. The paper rips away easily if caught.
  • Tie a piece to the end of your horseman’s stick or lunge whip and use it to desensitize your horse. Remember to only throw it lightly…it can break.
  • Tie or tape pieces to the arena railing and then see if you can get your horse to walk calmly by or even stand next to it.
  • Much like our cheerleader example above… let’s see your best “ribbon dance”!

Can’t find them locally? You can get a pack on Amazon!

Horse Obstacle - Pool Toys

Horse Obstacle #4: Dollar Store Pool Toys

They may not be big, but they come in all kinds of shapes and sizes! Everything from beach balls, pool rafts and sometimes even animals. Usually, the smaller size at the dollar store so pay attention to the packaging. Use them like the plastic bags described above! Here are some ideas:

  • Sack your horse out with them. Can you rub them all over with the pool toy?
  • Lay them around the arena and use them like you would cones to maneuver your horse around them.
  • Lay two side by side, will your horse walk between them?
  • Hang them from the fence…what does your horse think about THAT?

Your local dollar store should have some kind of selection. Want to ramp it up a bit? Invest a little more to get a larger toy with handles…Sharknado anyone?

Sale
Triangle Great White Shark Float
  • Great fun for kiddos in the water
  • Designed with heavy-duty grab handles
  • 100% PVC
  • Includes repair patch
  • Ages: 3+

Horse Obstacle - Water Puddle

Horse Obstacle #5: DIY Water Obstacle

Depending on where you live and what time of year it is, it can be pretty difficult to find a decent water obstacle to school your horse on. The great news is that with a hose and a little bit of patience, you can create a puddle of your very own to school your horse with.

  • Start small…need to clean out a water bucket? Did the dumping, scrubbing, and rinsing leave a puddle? Before you fill the water bucket back up see if your horse will cross through the wet ground.
  • Have several horses to train? Let the hose run a little longer to create a decent sized puddle to school all your horses through. If you do this in the morning in a pasture or turnout area during summer, your horses will appreciate the cool soil during the day as well!

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed this list of five cheap or free DIY horse obstacles. Remember when playing with your horses to think outside the box! Keep it safe, but make it challenging! Do you have any cheap or free articles you’d like to share? Use the comment box below!

Pinterest pin - 5 Free or Cheap DIY Horse Obstacles

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