Horse Jumping Obstacles - Oxer

An oxer is a type of horse jump with two rails that may be set even or uneven. The width between the poles may vary. Some shows do not have oxers in the lower show jumping divisions.

There are several types of oxers:

• Ascending: the front rail is lower than the back rail. This is the easiest for the horse to jump, as it naturally fits into the animal's bascule and encourages a round and powerful jump.
• Descending: the back rail is lower than the front rail. This type is not often used, as it can cause an optical illusion for the horse. It´s forbidden by the FEI because of the danger for the horse.
• Parallel: both the top front and back rail are even, but the jump is higher than it is wide.
• Square: a type of parallel oxer, where the jump's height is the same as its width. This is the hardest type of oxer seen in competition. This is a very rarely used jump.
• Swedish: a "cross-rail" type of oxer, the highest front and back rails of the oxer form an X when viewed head-on, so that one section of the jump is lower than the other sections.
• Triple Bar: similar to an ascending oxer, but rather than having two rails there are three, in graduating height. This is more difficult than an ascending oxer, however, because of the added width of the third rail.
• Hogsback: a type of oxer with three rails in which the tallest pole is in the center. Sometimes this kind of oxer is filled in to look like a barn or house, which is often used on cross country courses.