Getting started
Walking is the most effective pace to perform pole work, as there is no moment of suspension, so all movement is performed through muscular effort.
I advise that the exercises are practiced from the ground as this allows the horse more flexibility to move through its back and core, whilst giving you a better view to see that your horse is moving correctly.
Finally, it is important to remember that your horse is an individual. The suggested distances of the poles when you begin to work over more than one pole at a time, are just that – suggestions.
The closer the poles are together, the more the horse has to sit back and push from behind and, alternatively, the further they are set apart, the more the horse has to lengthen his stride — be aware that this can encourage the horse to fall onto his forehand.
The poles must be adjusted to your horse’s stride, and not vice versa. You can use the suggested distance to build the initial exercise, however, once you see how your horse handles it, it is vitally important that you adjust the poles to suit your horse’s stride. Your horse will not have the strength, the confidence or the ability to adjust his stride at the beginning stages of working over poles, yet once it is comfortable, you can choose to raise several corners or poles to increase limb flexion and cadence throughout the horse’s body.
For ground poles to be an effective schooling aid, your horse must have confidence in what it is doing and allowing it to feel comfortable going over them is the key to creating this.
The following exercises are used to increase the range of motion of the limbs and joints, engage the hindquarters, increase stride length and core stability, and improve balance. All of these can be performed under saddle, in-hand, on the lunge or in long-reins.
Exercise One - Single Ground Pole
To start, I suggest beginning by teaching your horse to walk over a single pole to help build your horse’s confidence and introduce him to pole work. Ground poles will test your balance and independence of seat, whether it is over ground poles or over raised poles.
Remaining balanced while your horse navigates the pole is often easier said than done, especially if it is the first time you are riding over a pole. This is because your horse is using itself, particularly its back end, more, causing its hind legs to lift higher up and under itself in order to successfully clear the pole.
With this in mind, It is vital that you make sure your knees and ankles are free to absorb the extra bounce and movement as any excess tension or ‘fixed positions will cause you to become stiff and rigid. This is what leads to you becoming the proverbial ‘sack of potatoes’ on your poor horse’s back, resulting in it falling on its fore hand - something which we are trying to avoid.
Exercise Two - Raised poles
Once your horse is comfortable with the single pole, set out six poles in a line, spaced so that there is one footstep between each pole, and work through them in walk first, followed by trot once you’ve amended the distance. Next, raise alternate ends of the poles to about a foot to increase the range of motion in the joints. On approach, make sure that the horse is balanced and straight, and let it find its own way through the poles - don’t direct it!
Exercise Three - The Maze
Walk through in a forward, balanced walk. As you turn each corner, open your inside hand to encourage the horse to bend through its body in the direction of travel and place your inside leg behind the girth, encouraging it to step under and cross over with its hind legs. Once set up, you can also use this exercise to walk and trot over the poles.
Please mention Central Horse News What’s On when responding to advertisements THE WINTER SPECIAL 2019 21
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