Polework – Starting Out Part 1 – with Maddi Burchell The Dressage Coach

First of two part polework article by Maddi Burchell – Dressage trainer and coach.

Polework – Let’s get started!

Polework is a great addition to your horses exercise and training plan.  Not only is it fun for horse and rider, but it has lots of benefits such as improving your horses core, coordination, rhythm, balance, fitness, plus much more! 

Poles can be used in several ways, including raised and semi-raised depending on you horses experience, strength and fitness.  You don’t have to have lots of poles to be able to do Polework effectively (4 is good enough!)

So, firstly, lets talk about what type of Polework you should be doing!  If you and/or your horse are new to Poles, then start simple. 

The best way to introduce your horse to Polework is from the ground.  Start by walking your horse over a single pole, and then gently increase the number of poles.  Remember, poles encourage engagement of your horses core, so don’t overdo it, let the horse get used to going over poles and build his strength and fitness.

You should keep poles on the ground until the horse can easily do the exercises on both reins.

It’s really important to make sure you have warmed your horse up properly for at least 10 minutes before starting Polework and please ensure that your horse cools down properly after doing the poles. 

Make sure that you are doing the exercises equally on both reins and that to start with you are keeping sessions to no longer than 15 minutes over the poles (this will of course increase as your horse does more Polework). 

Also, its best to keep your horse to a walk when you are starting out.

So, lets start with two basic pole exercises

The Four Point Circle

This requires 4 poles and they are placed North, East, South and West on circle.  The circle should be no smaller than 15m (ideally 20m, especially to start).  You can walk, trot and even canter over this pattern once the horse is established enough. 

This exercise helps to develop bend, balance and impulsion as well as developing coordination and a consistent rhythm.  You could develop this exercise by raising some or all of the poles. 

This exercise is great for introducing horses to walking, trotting and cantering over poles.