Training Feature
Carlos took a huge leap over the alternately raised poles first time round...
...but then he jumped them well
After a few more attempts, Carlos and Lizzie started to get the idea, with Lizzie telling Kitty that this kind of work was completely new for this horse.
When it was Aimee and Joey’s turn, Kitty placed the first and third poles on the ground, leaving just the middle one raised, which Joey tackled well. Once all three were raised, he put in a few big leaps while working out where to place his feet, but soon got the hang of it.
Look up and beyond the poles to where you want to go, Kitty told the riders Exercise three – Alternate raised poles
Kitty’s next challenge for Lizzie and Aimee was the three alternately raised poles at M exercise, which stumped both the horses and riders at first. Carlos leapt over the first pole, causing him to crash through the second and run out at the third, but Kitty said Lizzie shouldn’t worry about that. “You’re not in competition so it doesn’t matter if you knock anything down. What we are doing today is developing the horses’ training, making them think about where they put their feet. Carlos is a bit ‘stilted’ in his canter sometimes, so you need to allow him to travel forward and open his stride up a bit.”
“In a way, it’s easier for Aimee than it is Lizzie,” said Kitty. “This is because Carlos is more experienced and thinks he knows best, so he will tend to take over and do what he thinks, whereas young Joey has no preconceived ideas about what
he needs to do, so he’s more guided by his rider.”
Soon Joey is confident enough to go over the alternately raised poles in a relaxed manner
Polework checklist Pick a line and stay on it.
Make sure the canter is travelling forwards in a good rhythm.
Use your outside rein and inside leg to keep the horse straight and prevent him from drifting in or out over the poles.
Look up and beyond the poles, not at them.
Ride away from the poles so the horses don’t learn to stop after an exercise.
Pick a line and stay on it over the poles
Next month, Kitty incorporates these polework exercises into jumping courses Thanks to TopSpec for setting up this feature with Kitty. Visit:
www.topspec.com for more information.
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