Pole work assists in balance, coordination, bend, flexibility, suppleness, elasticity, rhythm and strengthening for your horse or pony.
Pole work is a great addition to your riding and training routine .
It is the perfect way to stretch and warm up your horse or pony and get them focused on riding and the session ahead.
Their head and neck are stretched out as they focus on the puzzle of poles that you have created on the ground for them to be able to go over and through.
They are getting connected to you as we engage them in the mental challenge as much as a physical challenge.
The physical aspect is brilliant for all horses and ponies whether they are supremely fit or in need of re building.
They have to lift their legs to go over the poles whilst their neck is stretched out which allows for a more stretched posture plus they need to lift their legs high enough to clear the poles which is a great warm up exercise.
The poles are usually set out at a set distance so that you horse or pony can step over the poles with the aim being of not knocking them.
The distance between the poles is reliant on the size of the horse or pony and to start with the aim is to walk over them and with experience a trot and then canter.
Also allow them to pass though the poles as this assists help balance and straightness.
We suggest you engage this process in 3 steps
- walk horse or pony over the poles with a halter and lead on to show them what you have created and allow them to experience the puzzle you have set up with you at their side. this is brilliant with young or new horses or ponies as you both get to know each other and get connected.
- this time place your saddle, saddle cloth and girth on so that your horse or pony can experience the puzzle with their saddle on. This is particularly relevant for when you have changed the saddle, girth and or saddle cloth. You have created a new environment or feel for them , so it is only fair that you allow them to feel the difference and get comfortable with it.
- then once you are comfortable that your horse or pony has this exercise under control you can get in the saddle and rider them over the puzzle as well
Alot of horses are in need of rehabilitation , the need to get more core strength and a more even balance between the front and hind legs.
Poles is the perfect environment for this as it allows them to make the horse or pony work more evenly.
Many horses need stronger core strength and especially in the area where the saddle is positioned .and pole work is perfect for this.
Do the exercise at a good pace so that it becomes an intensive work out for them.
The activity is like us walking up a flight of stairs, if you walked up 50 stairs in a row at a good pace without stopping you will appreciate what your horse or pony will be feeling.
The benefits are amazing and it is so simple.
To start with you only need to spend 5 minutes doing it and then you can build up from there.
The more fun you make it for you , the more fun it usually is for your horse or pony.
We are engaging them mentally as well as physically.
We have a variety of ideas attached but you can create your own and you really only need 4 or 5 poles to get started.
Take a photo of your horse or pony at the start of the pole work program and then again in 3 or 4 weeks, you will amazed at the difference.
Take your horse or pony through and over the poles at any angle to start with as they have so work their way through.
It allows them to work both sides of their body more evenly plus building up their pectoral muscles and assists them in getting better balance, for accuracy and control.
So get started today, make it fun for you and your horse or pony, you will be amazed at the positive difference it makes.
Happy riding from the team at Bonnetts Saddleworld
