How to introduce and progress pole work in your horse’s training routine.
Pole work is a versatile and beneficial training method for horses that offers a range of physical and mental benefits. From improving balance and coordination to enhancing strength and flexibility, pole work exercises engage the horse's body and mind in a dynamic way.
I always recommend starting pole work in the walk, preferably in-hand. As it’s a slower pace, it requires the horse to keep their core engaged for longer. Progress to trot in hand before reverting back to the walk under saddle. Here’s how to introduce pole work into your horse’s routine:
Start with a single pole, ensuring your horse approaches it with calmness and straightness.
Place a second pole 3-4 strides away. When your horse is calm through this combination, reduce the number of strides between the poles.
Place 3-4 consecutive poles one walk step apart. Once mastered, progress the number of poles to 6-8. When your horse can travel through without hitting the poles and with straightness, challenge them by putting the poles on a curved line (e.g. 20m circle). This increases the requirement for lateral bend as well as core and hindlimb engagement.
Raise one end or alternate ends of the poles in a straight line. This can be done with jump wings, cavaletti blocks or curved potty’s work well also! Then progress to raising one end on a curved line.
Raise both ends of the pole to increase the hindlimb flexion. You can alternate one pole high, one ground level to increase the proprioceptive challenge.
Pole distances:
Walk poles: 0.8m-1m apart.
Trot poles: 1.2-1.5m apart.
Adjust the distance so your horse can comfortably land each hoof in the middle of the poles.
Remember if you’re performing pole work exercises for strength, complete low set numbers (3-5) with low reps (4-6) three to four times per week. For the best strength gains, horses should have adequate rest between sets to allow for muscle recovery and avoid fatigue. When your horse fatigues, they will use ‘cheat’ strategies to perform the exercise (such as hallowing through the back). There is no point training an exercise if it’s not done with good form and posture! There is no need to rush through the process, completing steps 1-4 over a 12-week period is enough input for most horses to develop good core engagement and topline.