Horse jumping is a component of English riding that involves maneuvering your horse through a series of raised obstacles. Horse jumping is a competitive event that takes place at equestrian horse shows as well as the Olympics. If you're planning to train your horse to be a competitive jumper, you will need a durable set of horse jumps to practice with. Horse jumps are typically made of wood or plastic and each offers different benefits.
Construction
Wood and plastic horse jumps are constructed differently. Typically, jumps made of plastic are constructed using PVC material, which is composed of various plastic polymers. Wood jumps are generally made of exterior-grade lumber and certain companies finish their jumps with decking stains to prolong the life of the wood. Both wood and plastic jumps are painted using white or brightly colored paint to make them more visible.
Durability
Plastic and wood horse jumps offer different levels of durability, depending on how they're made and how they're cared for. Depending on the type of PVC used, plastic jumps can withstand more impact than wood jumps and, oftentimes, the paint is molded into the plastic, meaning they are less resistant to fading over time. Wood jumps may fade and/or crack over time, depending on use, humidity, changes in temperature and exposure to weather.
Portability
One consideration when purchasing horse jumps is your ability to transport them and/or rearrange them. If you frequently change the layout of your horse's jumps, PVC jumps tend to be more lightweight than wood, making them easier to move. For some riders, wood's heavier weight is preferable because it makes it more difficult for the horse to dislodge the bar from the frame.
Cost
The cost of wood versus plastic jumps typically varies based on the quality of the material and the manufacturer. In general, PVC material is more costly to produce than wood, making plastic jumps more expensive. For example, as of November 2010, East Coast Jumps offers a complete wood starter set for $1,375. Comparable PVC sets offered by Jumps West range from approximately $2,600 to more than $12,000. You can also expect to pay more if your sets are custom-built, regardless of the material used.
Potential
Recent innovations in horse jump technology may lead to an increase in popularity for jumps made from hybrid materials. For example, the Jumps West company offers a PVC/wood hybrid horse jump that combines the benefits of plastic's durability with the weight and color choices of wood. These composite jumps typically feature PVC wings with wood slats and PVC rails.
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