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Discussion on Where to purchase ground poles
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Member:
9193
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 23, 2005 - 12:09 am:
Where/what is a good resource to purchase multi-colored ground poles?
What is the opinion of wooden poles vs plastic?
Thank you,
Debra
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Member:
Canter
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 23, 2005 - 8:24 am:
Debra,
Check any of the catalogs (Dover, Stateline Tack), they have poles for sale. Probably cheaper is to go to your local hardware store and just buy some round lumber and give them a custom paint job. As we all know, anything for horses costs at least twice as much as the same thing in the non-equine world.
Just in the past week or so, someone here on HA had the fabulous idea of using pool noodles for trotting poles.
I haven't tried the noodles yet, but in terms of the plastic vs wood, I prefer wood. Eventually, the plastic pvc pipes break and splinter and I'm forever picking up the pieces of plastic out of the arena footing. The pieces are sharp enough that I always thought a rider coming off her horse could be seriously injured on one of the shards if she hit it right or that a horse could step on a piece and be injured.
All the best~
Fran
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Member:
Dres
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 23, 2005 - 10:26 am:
I prefer wood, I bought my poles from the local hardware / garden store, you can paint them at home.. I like the pine, they are lighter for me to move around... the noodles are a good idea for a rehabbing horse, but really, they move around way to easily,.. the breeze of the horse going over them will move em.. I have 4 poles, start out using one then add to I get 4 in a row.. I love trot pole work... it really helps balance the young ones and keep the old ones on their toes.. sort of speak...
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with SPOTS..
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 23, 2005 - 10:31 am:
I use the noodles only for rehab 
I was told wood is better because it hurts the horse when the hoof bangs on the wood, that is if he/she gets lazy ...keeps their mind on their job.
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Member:
Jivete
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 23, 2005 - 2:17 pm:
I like using landscaping timbers. They're cheap, easy to find, made for outdoor use and you can easily paint them.
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Member:
9193
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 23, 2005 - 4:51 pm:
Thank you All!!
The suggestion to purchase and paint my own ground poles is terrific!! I will need to leave them at the barn I board at, so having poles painted in my own stable colors will help identify which belong to me.
What is the average length and diameter that I should request? I figure at least ten poles would give me enough for a variety of configurations. Sound like a reasonable number?
Another suggestion that was presented to me was to purchase the plastic PVC poles and then wrap different colored tape around the poles for color and identification. Has anyone ever tried that idea?? Fran's caution is worth remembering, but I know that the plastic is pretty popular..
I would be curious what folks might use as inexpensive blocks to elevate ground poles.
Again, thank you for the helpful suggestions.
Debra
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Member:
Brandi
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 31, 2005 - 2:05 am:
You might find the PVC too light and easy to bump off the cups or blocks, even on the ground I've found them too easy to move. They sure look nice, though, and you can buy the colored wraps from JUMPS USA. I happen to use a very heavy gauge PVC drainage pipe for cavaletti work, and they are weight-y enough, but they are also 6" pipe (I think standard would be 3"), and I only have them on the ground or on a 4" Blok. 12 feet long is best, though 10 works fine. If you use them to make trail-type obstacles like "L"'s and boxes, the longer ones will work better IMO.
The best inexpensive way to elevate them, if you're only looking to make cavaletti's is a couple of 2x4's made into an X--and don't make them at right angles, make them tall skinny X's that way you can adjust the height of your pole by placing the X standing or lying down. I would use a small bracing plate or bracket to strengthen them, if you just nail them together they will be useless in no time. Good luck and have fun.
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