6 secrets to tackling raised poles

Polework not only brings variety to schooling sessions, it can do wonders for your horse’s posture and performance, too.

By raising the bar a little, you will encourage your horse to make more of an effort in his training while having fun, and the good news is there are so many different exercises to try.

Make a little time in your weekly schooling schedule to try out some of our favourite ways to enjoy raised poles. They could take your horse’s training to a whole new level. 

Secret one: Know your distances

Distances vary depending on your horse’s size and stride length, but it’s good to get an idea of where to start and then, once your exercise is set up, you can adjust your striding accordingly.

Of course, poles can be tackled in walk, trot or canter, so if there’s space in your arena you might want to set out one pattern for each pace.

Between poles on the ground the distances are as follows, and remember, where poles are set on a curved line or in a zig-zag, these distances will apply from centre to centre.

• walk poles: 0.8–1m
• trot poles: 1.2–1.7m
• canter poles: 2.7–3.4m

Top tip

Measure the length and width of the sole of your boots – this will make it much easier to know how many foot lengths, or widths, apart to space your poles.

Secret two: Try different formations

While polework can be kept as simple or made as complicated as you wish, here are some layouts to try. Simple layouts work well when you’re short of time or have to put poles away after each use…

• easy polework formations can be set in a straight line, on a curve or as a zig-zag, so take your pick or set up one of each if you have enough poles
• raising alternate ends of each pole will encourage your horse to lift through each side of his body. You could begin by raising only the middle pole and progress to raising alternate ends of each one if all goes to plan
• try raising just the outer or inner edges of each pole so your horse has to create lift in his stride. Start by working over the lower ends, then the middle and progress to the higher ends to get more expression and effort from your horse
• raise both ends of the poles to make very small uprights. This exercise works well set at canter distances as it turns into a tiny gymnastic grid, which is a great suppling exercise for any horse 

Top tip

If you don’t have pole raisers, invest in some cheap potties. With their curved sides they’re the perfect shape to rest poles on. 

Secret three: Go with groundwork

If your horse hasn’t done much polework before – or even if he has – there’s nothing to stop you walking him over poles in-hand. You could lie the poles flat on the ground at first and progress to raising them on one or both sides.

In-hand polework can improve your horse’s proprioception (the body’s ability to sense its location, movements and actions without needing to think about it). It also helps with suppleness and hindleg engagement, and it’s a great way to improve your bond, too.

Top tip

Looking for more inspiration and ideas with poles? Check out the polework journal.

Top tip

If you wish to use a training aid for lungeing, ensure it’s correctly fitted and won’t restrict your horse’s range of movement.

Secret four: Get on board

If you’re doing polework under saddle, ensure you’re a comfortable load for your horse to carry by staying in good balance.

Whatever pace you’re approaching the poles, look up and to the other side of the poles, using both reins and legs to channel him in a straight line.

In simple terms, set your horse up well, making sure he’s working forward with plenty of energy and in a good rhythm, then leave the rest to him.

With poles on a curved line, use your outside aids to prevent him drifting out as he turns. Look for the line you need to ride and stick to it!

Secret five: Take the lunge

Lungeing your horse over raised poles allows him to adopt a good posture without the weight – and sometimes hindrance – of the rider.

You can set your poles out down the long side or on a circle, then be sure to lunge your horse equally on both reins.

Raised poles set out on a curved line give you the option to work on shortening and lengthening your horse’s stride by lungeing him more towards the inside (shortening) and then further towards the outside of the poles (lengthening).

Whatever lungeing exercises you do over poles be careful not to make things too difficult for your horse and offer him plenty of breaks so he doesn’t get tired. Try to keep sessions fun for you both.

Secret six: Encourage stretching

As your horse develops better core strength and confidence over raised poles, see if you can encourage him to adopt a longer outline to really engage his core and improve his balance.

To help him do this you’ll need to ensure he’s working actively forward into a longer, but not looser, rein contact. Keeping your hands low and wide will help him to find a lower head and neck carriage, but be ready to maintain energy levels with your legs. You may find your horse stretches better without a rider, in which case improves his ability to stretch over poles on the lunge.