Poles for performance

Polework – when it comes to tools that’ll improve your horse’s technique, this is certainly a firm favourite. Regardless of your discipline, level or goal, it’s widely reported that there are endless benefits to including poles in your horse’s routine. But what are these benefits? How can polework really boost your riding? And what’s involved in the perfect pole-based session? Let’s take a closer look at the answers to these all-important questions.

No limits

Straightness, balance, suppleness – these are all factors we look to improve in our horses with the aim of boosting their performance. But what if I told you that polework does even more than that? That’s right – polework can also help to enhance your horse’s paces, as well as develop his strength, co-ordination and flexibility.

By adding regular polework sessions to your horse’s routine, he’ll learn to think on his feet and will naturally become more responsive to your aids. Polework’s a great way to mentally stimulate any horse, and it’s useful for getting lazier ones working more actively, too.

TOP TIP

Using your voice as well as your physical aids can give a young or inexperienced horse the extra encouragement he might need.

Reap the rewards

The positives of polework don’t start and end with your horse. Working over poles will provide you with a whole host of skills to improve your general riding. What’s more, you’ll have a lot of fun while you’re doing it.

Riding for specific points will encourage you to become more accurate, a skill required in every discipline, and your reaction times will improve no end – helpful when you find yourself in sticky situations out on the cross-country course or during your showjumping round.

But one of the biggest benefits of polework for the rider is that it highlights weaknesses in your position. This might sound like a fun way to spend a session, but how can you improve without knowing where to make adjustments? You might realise you sit slightly to one side, causing your horse to drift, or you use your reins more than body for steering – either way, a tool that helps establish where you need to improve will help you get better in the long run.

TOP TIP

The more balanced you are, the easier your horse will find polework. So, outside of your riding sessions, have a go at some stability and strengthening exercises.

To find out more of Nina’s top tips for reaping the benefits of polework, get your copy of January Horse&Rider – on sale now!