Step up your dressage game with Tania Grantham’s polework creations

Many people are put off building polework exercises because they aren’t sure about how to set up the striding. However, the beauty of the shape-inspired layouts I use is that you don’t need to sort out distances and they’re easy enough for a helper to put together.

Over the next three issues, I’ll introduce you to three super-simple layouts that’ll help step up your dressage game while making flatwork more fun. Better still, they’re suitable for horses of all sizes and make schooling with friends possible without altering a single pole. This month, we’ll get started with a small but mighty six-pole layout.

Set it up

You’ll need

Six equal length poles, preferably standard 3m ones.

Build it

Construct two triangles on the centre line. This can be anywhere you wish, but it’s helpful to align the top triangle with the top of a 20m circle at A to help you practise accurate shapes, as shown in the diagram.

In his stride

Rather than trying to see a stride, aim for a consistent, balanced rhythm while sticking to the line through the poles – your horse should organise his own feet. That being said, the line you take dictates your horse’s pace…

Straight lines

base or side to point Most horses will fit in two working trot strides or one medium, or it can be ridden as a canter bounce distance

Curved lines

wide third This line is positioned towards the base of the top triangle and takes you over the fourth stripes. Your horse will fit in roughly two trot strides or a canter bounce. However, make sure you ride a continuous curve

narrow third This line, ridden in trot, takes you over the second stripe on the poles and your horse will step through one foot at time

These numbers will vary depending on your horse’s stride length and the extent to which you ask him to condense or open. If your horse struggles with a particular line, find a slightly wider or narrower one that’s more comfortable for him.

TOP TIP

Cantering through closed shapes such as triangles leads to less exuberance from your horse than poles in a straight line. However, if your horse gets particularly heated by canter poles, stick to the curved lines initially, as these will help to naturally collect him.

Read more of Tania’s polework exercise in September Horse&Rider – on sale now!