How to Build Horse Cavaletti Jumps

Cavaletti jumps are wooden poles set between two X-shaped pieces of wood. They can be raised or lowered to three different heights based on your specific needs. Regardless of your riding discipline, cavaletti are an effective training tool for both rider and horse. They can be used to train horses to jump, regulate pace, follow a specific path or engage their entire bodies while working at a particular gait. Cavaletti are relatively easy to construct.

Cut the wood to the desired length. Using your saw, divide one of the 4" x 4" x 8' posts into four sections, each measuring two feet. These pieces will create the ends of the cavaletti.

Mark the wood pieces. Take each two-foot section and mark the middle. Then, take two wood pieces and place one on top of the other, lining up the center marks. With your pencil, mark the width of the top piece onto the bottom piece and vice versa.

Cut into the marked wood pieces. Use the saw and cut halfway through each at the width marks. Most cuts will be about 1-7/8" deep, based on the typical thickness of a post.

Chisel and connect. With your chisel and rubber mallet, remove the wood between the cuts you just made, making a notch in each piece. Then, using all four pieces, attach two pieces together at the notch, and connect them solidly with the mallet.

Drill and secure. Using the drill and 1/2" bit, find the center of each x and make a hole all the way through. Place the carriage bolt through the center and secure with a washer and nut.

Create the cavaletti center. Using the second 8 foot post, which is uncut at this point, measure the width.

Draw a line that corresponds to the width measurement from each end of the post, marking the center of the line with a hash mark.

Drill a hole at that hash mark. Mirror this step on the other end of the pole, making sure the holes are on the same side.

Assemble the cavaletti. Stand the two x's up and set the post in the center of each, making sure the ends are flush. Draw a hash mark where the hole in the long post hits the x, on each end. Take the post away and drill where these hash marks were placed.

Complete the cavaletti. Secure the post onto the x's by placing the carriage bolts through the holes in the post and then through the holes in each x. Add a washer and a nut to complete your cavaletti.