I don't need no stinking.....
.....saw horses.
---------------------------------
I'm at the point where in the Parelli levels where a pedestal would be handy. I have tools. We have scrap wood. Hmmmm.....
Let's make a pedestal.
Horse pedestal, lazy-girl-style. (Full disclaimer: I am not known for my attention to detail and thoroughness in my home-projects. I tend to start hammering first and ask questions later).
See that square board in the photo? That's what I've been using for a pedestal. And actually, that has been about the right gradient for Dani's learning curve....Dani, who is terrorized by ground poles.
She put her foot squarely on that board yesterday....and left it there. Wow. MAJOR progress.
So, we are ready for a little pedestal. I just want something that will be more sturdy and a bit more of a challenge.
Being basically lazy, I mean adept at the conservation of energy, I thought I could just work with that little board and simply screw other boards to it. I quickly abandoned that idea and decided instead to start from scratch.
I cut 24" lengths from some deck boards we had left-over from one of my husband's projects---approx. 5 1/2" in width. (Good thing said husband doesn't read this blog....he DOES sketch out, measure and plan and would not be proud).
Even though I am a short-cutter, I am also a firm believer in drilling pilot holes and do this religiously now, having learned the hard way after splitting many fence boards. The extra step doesn't take long and also makes drilling the screws so much easier. Here I drilled pilot holes in the center of lengths of 2 x 4's that I laid cross-wise on the deck boards.
The pedestal is beginning to take shape here. Note my 'saw-horse' is a barrel from the arena. (Pay no attention to the gouge in the side of it where my saw blade tried to attack it as I fought to keep the boards from slipping. What do you mean I should have used saw-horses?!?!?)
Here it is, with just the two layers as I played with Dani using it. She went up on it on about the 4th or 5th try.
For her to put this foot on and LEAVE it there while I fiddled with my phone trying to get a picture was just amazing. I've seen this horse leap sideways twenty feet to avoid stepping on a kleenex. She doesn't like to step on anything, so to me, these pictures speak volumes. She did so well, I decided to go ahead and put another layer on. This will add needed strength and give just a bit more height.
Foreman "Tonka" asking why I didn't go up to the house and get the saw horses.....
On-the-job discussion about how to proceed.....
I added another series of screws to the 2nd layer before attaching this top layer of boards. This other layer really made it feel more sturdy. I sure don't want it toppling or tipping when a horse hoof goes near the edge.
Ta-da! This small pedestal should serve us well for awhile and will be a nice gradient for stepping up backwards --- getting the two hind feet to 'load' up on it when I get to that point.
My dog likes it too.
(This project is a perfect example of NOT taking the time it takes so it takes less time. I would have had a more precise finished result had I drug out the saw horses, formulated a plan, measured correctly, gotten a less coarse blade for the reciprocating saw or drug out the circular saw, extension cords, etc. When I make our 'real' pedestal that will be taller and with a wider base that tapers to the top, I will definitely do all of that proper planning and preparation. This will do for now though.)
Sue, sure wouldn't make it as a carpenter on This Old House, but getting by with crude skills, in Ohio
---------------------------------
I'm at the point where in the Parelli levels where a pedestal would be handy. I have tools. We have scrap wood. Hmmmm.....
Let's make a pedestal.
Horse pedestal, lazy-girl-style. (Full disclaimer: I am not known for my attention to detail and thoroughness in my home-projects. I tend to start hammering first and ask questions later).
See that square board in the photo? That's what I've been using for a pedestal. And actually, that has been about the right gradient for Dani's learning curve....Dani, who is terrorized by ground poles.
She put her foot squarely on that board yesterday....and left it there. Wow. MAJOR progress.
So, we are ready for a little pedestal. I just want something that will be more sturdy and a bit more of a challenge.
Being basically lazy, I mean adept at the conservation of energy, I thought I could just work with that little board and simply screw other boards to it. I quickly abandoned that idea and decided instead to start from scratch.
I cut 24" lengths from some deck boards we had left-over from one of my husband's projects---approx. 5 1/2" in width. (Good thing said husband doesn't read this blog....he DOES sketch out, measure and plan and would not be proud).
Even though I am a short-cutter, I am also a firm believer in drilling pilot holes and do this religiously now, having learned the hard way after splitting many fence boards. The extra step doesn't take long and also makes drilling the screws so much easier. Here I drilled pilot holes in the center of lengths of 2 x 4's that I laid cross-wise on the deck boards.
The pedestal is beginning to take shape here. Note my 'saw-horse' is a barrel from the arena. (Pay no attention to the gouge in the side of it where my saw blade tried to attack it as I fought to keep the boards from slipping. What do you mean I should have used saw-horses?!?!?)
Here it is, with just the two layers as I played with Dani using it. She went up on it on about the 4th or 5th try.
Foreman "Tonka" asking why I didn't go up to the house and get the saw horses.....
On-the-job discussion about how to proceed.....
Whatever, dude....I'm outta here.....by the way, she's not going to let you sit there.
I added another series of screws to the 2nd layer before attaching this top layer of boards. This other layer really made it feel more sturdy. I sure don't want it toppling or tipping when a horse hoof goes near the edge.
Ta-da! This small pedestal should serve us well for awhile and will be a nice gradient for stepping up backwards --- getting the two hind feet to 'load' up on it when I get to that point.
My dog likes it too.
(This project is a perfect example of NOT taking the time it takes so it takes less time. I would have had a more precise finished result had I drug out the saw horses, formulated a plan, measured correctly, gotten a less coarse blade for the reciprocating saw or drug out the circular saw, extension cords, etc. When I make our 'real' pedestal that will be taller and with a wider base that tapers to the top, I will definitely do all of that proper planning and preparation. This will do for now though.)
Sue, sure wouldn't make it as a carpenter on This Old House, but getting by with crude skills, in Ohio
Comments
Post a Comment