With the introduction of our new “DIY Obstacle” series, our team will endeavour to share some of the custom obstacles which have proven to be successful in our training regime and can easily be recreated at your own facility.
When training and working with horses it is important to introduce them to new sights, sounds and challenges. This approach will not only aid in their desensitization training (check out our previous article – Desensitization Training And Its Positive Benefits) but can also provide variety in their arena work which in turn can help reduce the risk of your horse becoming sour due to boredom.
It is important to remember that safety is of the utmost priority when training your horse and introducing them to new obstacles. We always advise starting your horses’ exposure to new obstacles on the ground before attempting them under saddle. Set yourself up for success, take your time and remember to have fun.
The Curtain
The curtain is a fun and popular obstacle which is often seen in Western Trail courses and gymkhanas, and can make a great tool for desensitization training. The curtain is a rather simple obstacle consisting of an archway with dangling hazards which the horse must walk through.
Materials you will need:
Your pick of dangling hazards (pool noodles, streamers, strips of fabric, etc.)
Wood board/posts or furniture-grade PVC pipe
Pool noodles will require a form of attachment (zip ties, rope, etc.)
Putting it together:
It is important when creating your custom curtain you consider your setting. For use in an arena it is advised to create a free-standing archway with wood or PVC pipe that is a suitable height/width for your horse and rider (or carriage/driver) to maneuver through safely. It is important to construct the archway frame with braces to ensure it is stable and stands safely before considering using it for training.
Once your archway is complete you will want to hang your chosen hazards from the top barn of the arch. It is important to safely attach and secure the hazards to ensure they stay put when in use, but do not offer a safety risk to horse or rider. We advise trying when possible to avoid rope or string as both can quickly become hooked or tangled on tack.
Looking for more DIY obstacle ideas? Check out our article DIY Obstacles: Make Your Own Arena-Ready Rope Gate.