What Are The Benefits Of Pole Work For Horses?

‘Polework is good for improving balance, control and steering. It also requires precision, so it can help to refine your aids (and your horse’s reaction to those aids), which benefits everyday riding,’ explains Stef.

What are trotting poles good for?

Trotting poles help improve the way your pony moves, as they make him more aware of where he’s putting his hooves and how he’s using his legs, keeping him focused and creating impulsion. Set up four poles four pigeon steps (about 1-1.35 metres) apart.

Are Raised Poles good for horses?

Horses learn to balance themselves and gain confidence over raised poles. This is an excellent exercise for one-sided stiffness and identifying weak pelvic muscles.

How often should you do pole work with your horse?

Introduce one exercise at a time for five minutes only, two or three times a week, then build up to 15 minutes. Start with just two or three poles and only add in more when your horse doesn’t touch any of them. Repeat exercises equally on both reins and learn to lead from both sides. Allow a stretch between exercises.

What is pole work in horse riding?

This simple exercise encourages your horse to use his neck to stretch down and look where the poles are and where he’s putting his feet. As you ride through the poles, let your horse work it out. You just need to focus on riding to the middle of each pole and maintaining an even trot rhythm.

Can you canter over trotting poles?

You can also perform pole work at the lope or canter. Once again, you should start by cantering over a single pole so that your horse isn’t surprised by the exercise. When that is easy, you can add another pole several strides away. It is generally assumed that the average horse’s canter stride is about 12 feet long.

Should you canter over poles?

Working over raised poles is strenuous and shouldn’t be over done. Canter poles can be used if your horse is sufficiently balanced to canter on the lunge. Cantering over a single pole helps the horse negotiate a stride and multiple poles will improve rhythm.

What is the best surface for horses to walk on?

Rock products, also known as sand and gravel, are a great choice for paddock footing because they are extremely slow to break down, don’t hold moisture or bacteria, and can be supported for a stronger base.

What surface is best for horses?

Horse Stable Flooring Materials and Drainage

• Topsoil.
• Clay.
• Sand.
• Road Base Mix.
• Wood.
• Grid Mats.

What distance should trotting poles be set at?

4 feet apart
If you are setting up a sequential row of ground poles, which incidentally is a good place to start, place your poles approx. 2.5 feet apart for walking, 4 feet apart for trotting, and 9-11 feet apart of cantering. For most gaited horses, in lieu of trotting, space the poles 8 feet apart for your lateral gait.

What strength do you need for pole?

4. Leg muscles. Pole dancing works your upper body, core plus your legs. Lower body strength is required because pole exercise moves require primarily leg strength to hold yourself on the pole.

How long does it take to build a horse’s topline?

Providing protein right after exercise helps your horse build muscle – instead of ‘using’ muscle, and losing topline! Try it now – we guarantee the results, or your money back! Find out how to take the challenge now, and start seeing your horse build topline muscle within 3-6 weeks.

How long should a pole routine be?

A typical pole routine runs for 3-4 minutes, and they can be 3-4 INTENSE minutes. This is a fairly specific type of cardiovascular fitness.

What muscles does pole use?

Many pole dancing manoeuvres require you to lift and hold your own body weight, so it’s ideal for building strength in your back muscles, biceps, triceps, and forearms. Even if you come to a class without much upper body strength, you’ll soon build it up through pole dancing.

How can I improve my horse’s rhythm?

Ride a bounce grid on a curve
This is a progressive exercise, which starts with just poles on the ground building up to three fences. This gymnastic exercise helps your horse to develop a powerful and rhythmical canter. It’s also tests your ability to stay in balance over fences.

How do you train a horse to do Poles?

Follow his 10 tips to improve your pole bending runs.

1. Practice Circles. “You need to be able to lope a perfect circle before you can do barrels or poles,” Chad says.
2. Practice Running.
3. Slow Down.
4. Think Straight.
5. Get Your Leg Past the Pole.
6. Use Even Pressure.
7. End Turns are Like Barrels.
8. Stay Still.

How many steps is it for trotting poles?

You can also ride over 12ft poles in any pace – in walk, you’ll take three strides between 12ft poles. In trot, you’ll take two, and in canter, you’ll take just one stride between poles.

Why do you ask for canter in a corner?

Asking your horse to canter in the corner of the arena will help him because it encourages him to bend in the direction of travel, making it easier for him to pick up the correct lead. Choose a corner and think about doing your preparations on the long side before it.

How many human steps canter poles?

The spacing for canter poles will be around 6.4 metres, or 7 paces. If your horse is small or has a short stride, you can shorten it by one pace. The distance from the last canter pole to the jump should be an even one stride with 8 human paces or approximately 7.3 metres.

Is it OK to canter on hard ground?

If you’re worried about hard ground and the effect this could have on your horse, try to limit or avoid cantering on it where possible, we recommend maintaining a slower-paced gait – walk or trot, so the force going through your horse’s joints isn’t as strong.

Do you ask for canter with inside leg?

If the horse moves the haunches (“Traverses himself”) in, ask for the canter with your inside leg at the girth. This way, you will control the inside hind and stop the horse from coming inside the arena. Use the outside leg slightly behind the girth with straight horses.