Home made pole pod alternatives?

[4leggedfurries]

Have started bring D back into work after the long winter and yesterday we had a break through! It's starting to sink in as to what he should be doing, instead of throwing himself all over the field whilst bucking, broncing, rearing and farting on the end of the lunge line. So as he is starting to go well, i'm hoping to introduce trotting poles by the weekend as something different, then want to introduce raised trotting poles. I dont really want to be lugging my jumps out as of yet to make raised poles and cant afford to buy any pole pods etc so was wondering what you guys use, that i can probably find on the yard. Would really like to do this as he needs to learn to pick up his feet and toes! Thanks in advance

 

[E_Lister]

bricks? I have never attempted to use them (or pole pods) but I would think that they are a similar height and easy to source?

 

[Rowreach]

OH made me some brilliant ones a few years ago, originally to use as tiny jumps for the kids, but I use them all the time when I'm teaching and working my own horses as raised trot poles.

He cut slices of tree trunks (think 10" diameter, about 6" thick) then screwed two short bits of 1" x 1" to the top to make a groove - the groove needs to be sufficiently wide to prevent the pole being knocked off easily, but not so wide that the pole is held in place completely. He also screwed a small loop of thin rope to each one (enough to get a couple of fingers through) to make them easy to carry and move around.

I think he ought to patent them they are so good

Today he is finishing building the water jump in the xc field - sometimes I realise why I keep him

 

[posie_honey]

tyres

 

[ironhorse]

We use raised poles a lot for western riding, and at a show in the USA I saw the cleverest thing - a block of wood about 6in x4inx4in with a v shaped notch cut out of the top to hold the pole, but allow it to roll and fall if hit.
Perfect thing to keep DIY-fan other half busy (and feel appreciated!) while you go and ride.
I did buy some pole pods and they actually are a pain because they don't sit level and knock over really easily unless your surface is flat as a pancake!

 

[zoon]

This is going to sound mad, but get yourself some potties!

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/70141228

Turn these ones upside down and push handles into school surface to keep them in place. Pole sits nicely in groves and they are cheap as chips. Alternatively use them the right way up (they have a rubber bottom to stop them slipping), but the pole is a little too small and rolls on the top a bit and is harder to knock off if horse catches it.