Mounted Police Training

Building mounted obstacles is an ongoing project, this is one of my favorites and the first of many to be seen on this page.

Brandon Moore (FCSO) on "Mick" comes through as Kim Marlowe (Atlanta) on "Khari" brings up the rear

Building an obstacle course to meet the needs of a mounted unit is an ongoing project that could conceivably never end. This is an obstacle that can be built at a low cost.

The hanging tarp is a commonly used obstacle that helps to train the mounted police horse to

1.       move through an object that the mount cannot see the other side of

2.       be touched all over the mounts body

3.       not rush into or out of an obstacle

4.       gain confidence in the rider and their own ability

Basic components

There are many ways to build this particular obstacle. What separates this hanging tarp from others is the base. The base as (will be) shown eventually, can also double for other obstacles.

More on this later.

What is needed

(All PVC pipe size is 1-1/2 inch)

10 # PVC T,s

02 # 4-ways

08 # 45 degree elbows

02 # 90 degree elbows

12 # 6" X 1-1/2 " PVC pipes

04 # 40" X 1-1/2" PVC pipes

06 # 36" X 1-1/2" PVC pipes

02 # 6' X 1-1/2" PVC pipes

01 # 10 X 1-1/2" PVC pipe

08 # 12" X 1" PVC pipes

Notice:

ALL section 1's are made with PVC "T's"

T

Section 3 and 1 below

ALL section 3's and 1's are made with PVC Ts, 45 degree elbows and 4" PVC pipe



                                                                 Section 1 and 3

To build the foot, as section 1 and 3 indicates, you will need 2 X 1' PVC pipes, 2 X PVC "T's", 2 X 6" PVC pipes and 1 X 45 degree elbow. Glue pipes and fittings as shown below. The one 1' PVC pieces will act as the stabilizer and the "T" will attach the base to the 45 degree stabilizer. Repeat this for all "four" feet.

ALL section 2's are made with 4-ways 3 inch PVC pipes and 45 degree elbows




                                                                             Section 2

Section 2 consists of 1 X 4-way, 2 X 45 degree elbows, and 2 X 6" PVC pipes. Join the 2 X 6" pipes to the 4-way as shown. Attach the 45 degree elbows pointing in the downward position, as shown. Each 45 degree elbow should then be joined to the 34" pipes which will in turn, be joined to Section 1. Section 2 consists of 1 X 4-way, 2 X 45 degree elbows, and 2 X 6" PVC pipes. Join the 2 X 6" pipes to the 4-way as shown. Attach the 45 degree elbows pointing in the downward position, as shown. Each 45 degree elbow should then be joined to the 34" pipes which will in turn, be joined to Section 1.

Section 1 (A)

Section 1 (A):

This section joins the two base "feet" with a PVC "T" and 3 X 3 PVC pipes (ALL pipes connected to this "T" are 3 feet in length)

Section 1

The vertical risers will then attach to the TOP of Section 3. To finish, attach the 90 degree elbow at the top of the vertical risers and then attach the 10 foot PVC pole to the 90 degree elbows.

The tarp may be attached in several ways. I use rings (like a shower curtain) that I made from wire coat hangers. This allows me to "open and close" the the tarp as needed for schooling the new or nervous horse. Further, the tarp pictured is "shredded" to create the effect as seen, but many different things may be used for hanging. Another good obstacle is to cut the tarp down the middle and have the horse put their nose through it. As your horse progresses, you might consider not cutting the tarp at all and have your horse move through "the wall".

NOTE: The measurement called for on the vertical riser is 6 feet. This may be lengthened or shortened, depending your needs. It should also be noted that the tarp (or other hanging obstacle) should hang no closer than 1 foot from the ground to prevent the horse from "stepping" on the tarp and damaging the obstacle.