If you’re planning to build a show ring in your backyard and want to build a horse jump wall, there are several things to consider before you make your purchase. Depending on the size of your ring, you may want to go with a Trakehner, Liverpool, or Cross Rails fence. The design of your wall is as important as the fence itself, so make sure to choose a quality one that is safe for your horse.

Cross Rails

There are several considerations to make when selecting a horse jump wall. The wall should be a minimum of ten feet high and should not be more than twelve feet deep. Another consideration is stackability. Good show ring jump walls have blocks that slide off easily, making them safer to remove. If your horse is an advanced jumper, it may be better to use a wall lower than the fence, giving them more room to maneuver.

Make sure the jumps are in good condition. You can retrofit or cut them in half if damaged or wobbly. It is not advisable to purchase a wobbly jump since this will prevent your horse from exerting the necessary effort needed to clear it successfully. 

Weldon’s Wall

There are several different types of horse jump walls, but most are designed to be similar in appearance to a real brick wall. The main difference between these two kinds of walls is the design. While the Weldon’s Wall is shaped like a triple bar without the middle rail, the Trakehner’s Wall looks more like a Hogsback. This type of jump wall has a rail at the top and a ditch at the bottom. Often, a rider places a brush on top of the bank to encourage the horse to jump through it.

The height of the fence will affect the take-off distance of the horse. The take-off distance may be significantly different if the fence is taller than 4 ft. 6 inches. For that reason, it is important to select the wall that matches the fence’s height and the horse’s ability to jump it. The height of the fence also determines how long the horse can take off.

Trakehner

The first step in building a Trakehner horse jump wall is figuring out how high the fence is. You can buy a tarp at the hardware store and place it between two trees or use the natural rails and standards. You don’t need to get too fancy – you need something high enough to deter the horse from jumping and to make it safe for the animal to go around.

The fall of the Berlin wall gave the Trakehner breed a boost. Old Trakehner lines from East Prussia helped to improve the breed’s fortunes. Many of these horses were real jumping stars in former East Germany, and some competed in the Olympics like the legendary sire Hockey. The Trakehner horse by Hockey won the Grand Prix in Wiesbaden and Rotterdam in the 1990s. The wall’s fall also gave Trakehner breeders a chance to outcross genes.

Liverpool

While a Liverpool horse jump wall can be intimidating for a horse, there are many ways to make it more comfortable. Taking the time to eliminate the factors that make the Liverpool jump scary will give your horse more confidence and comfort when jumping it. Make sure your horse is schooling other types of fences without any problems before introducing this one. And remember, your temper is always too strong. 

A knockdown obstacle is where the horse lowers or changes its height. In the case of a Liverpool horse jump, the plastic element represents a small water obstacle and must be at least three feet 3 inches in front of the jump. Additionally, the height of the Liverpool at the vertical must not exceed the front plane of the jump.