Training Tip: Must-Have Obstacles: Stationary Bridge

Having obstacles to work your horse over keeps training sessions fun and interesting for you and him. Plus, it allows you to work on practical skills you’ll need when you’re out exploring trails.

If you’ve got a set budget to work with or only a limited area in which to build a course, there are six obstacles that’ll get you the most bang for your training. The first obstacle I recommend is a log circle, the second is a small gully, the third is a curtain, the fourth is a staircase, all of which we’ve covered in previous tips, and the fifth is a stationary bridge.

Exposes: How your horse handles stepping on and off an object that moves and makes a noise. Most horses are initially wary of stepping onto a bridge, so it’s a great obstacle to incorporate into your training program to teach your horse to use the thinking side of his brain and trust you as a leader. Additionally, bridges are a great way to prepare a horse for loading onto trailers because the sound the bridge makes as the horse steps onto it and the way it moves under his weight resembles walking up the trailer ramp and onto the trailer itself.

Dimensions: My bridge measures 6 feet across and 15 feet long and stands 2½ feet off the ground. Along the top of the bridge, rubber strips (2½ inches wide) are secured in place by washers to offer extra footing for horses. Be sure to construct your bridge out of solid material that can hold the weight of your horse. Your horse could seriously injure himself and it could also wreck his confidence if his feet went through the bridge.

If you have the room, I’d also add in a teeter-totter bridge. While a stationary bridge will move a little bit under your horse’s feet as he steps on and off of it, the teeter-totter will challenge his confidence about an object moving under his feet.

Practical Application: If you do any sort of trail riding or competitive trail classes with your horse, at some point, you’ll encounter a bridge. Having done your homework will ensure that your horse has the confidence to willingly cross the obstacle.

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