How To Build a Gate for a Horse Jump

I have to say gates are probably my most favorite filler to make. They can be all different heights, and you can easily make different patterns and designs, even if you are not perfect at carpentry. They are inexpensive to build, and add visual interest to your jumps as well as creating a ‘full’ appearing jump for your horse.

 

In order to build a gate, you will need the following materials:

• 2 2 x 4 x 8’
• 1 x 4 pickets, or left over lumber from other projects, 1” wood works the best, and the height of the pieces is up to you, for this gate, the 1 x 4 inch wood was cut to 10” lengths.
• 1 ¼” exterior decking screws
• Wood glue
• Caulk
• Kilz Primer paint
• Rustoleum oil based paint
• Sandpaper

 

The tools you will need for this project:

• Circular saw
• 18 volt drill
• Sander
• Caulk gun
• Tape measure

 

When building this gate, have all of your wood cut out and sanded prior to assembling it.

1 2 x 4 x 8’ will be left just as it is. With your tape measure, measure off 10” and cut this piece off.

Then take your whole 2 x 4, and place on the ground. Place the other 2 x 4 about 10” beneath it. The shorter 2 x 4 is on the bottom, and it should be about 5” longer on either side. This is the part that will rest in the jump cups.

Take one of the pre-cut 10” 1 x 4 and line it up with the shorter end of the lower 2 x 4. When it hits the upper 2 x 4, there should be about 5” of lumber left.

Do the same on the other end, and then double check to make sure your gate pieces (the 2 x 4’s) are the same as far as the width apart. Once you are happy with the frame of the gate, secure the 10” end pieces with screws.

Then start placing the other 10” pieces to fill the open space of the gate. You want to make sure to keep the slats close enough together that a horse or pony could get their hoof caught if they got caught up in the gate.

Once you have placed all of the pieces, recheck to make sure they spacing is how you want it to be. If you are really a perfectionist, you can use your tape measure to make sure your spacing is perfect.

Now secure all of the slats, and your gate is completed.

Prime and paint, allow to dry and then your gate is ready for use.

This is just one example of how to build a gate. You can use skinny slats, are use leftover wood that you have from other projects in order to get different styles of gates. Here are some other examples:

 

 

 

Having gates for your horse jumps are a wonderful and affordable addition to your jumping equipment. You can get as creative as you like, and they are really simple to build. Add these to your jump standards, and rails, and you will have a fun and interesting jump for your arena!

What would be your favorite color combination for a gate? Leave a comment below, and I just might make agate with your choice of colors, so you can see it being built!