Grid work and trot/canter poles- how to?? Help needed!

[JustKickOn]

3 questions, one post.

Would like to do some grid work with the horse I ride, to help both me and A, but have a limitation on jumps.

2 poly blocks, 2 poles, and about 20 tyres. Possibly more wood for poles, but will have to check with owner to see if the poles/wood can actually be used or not.

So, any ideas on how some gridwork can be done with the polyblocks, (2) poles and tyres??

Also, how many strides would you suggest for a 14.3 cob type?
Would you do the grid work with a stride inbetween, or as bounce fences?
If so, how many human paces would you put in? I'm thinking 7, but have no idea!

Also, if I can get more poles, how many human paces is it for regular trot poles? And how many for extended and collected trot poles?
And the same for canter poles?

Many thanks,
Lizzie

 

[DuckToller]

This is a really hard one to answer, so I will break it down first!

I am struggling trying to suggest a grid with just two poles and two polyblocks TBH! You do really need to find some more wood, and how about some small blocks (oil drums?) to rest them on?

Can't really envisage the tyres being much use at this stage, unless maybe you could put three or four in a pile and use them as blocks? But do make sure the wood is balanced towards the edge so they knock off easily, the poles should always fall so the horse doesn't trip or get the pole caught (does that make sense?).

Has the horse got some previous experience jumping? You don't want to build up a massive long grid (not that you can!) if he is green so a placing pole to cross or little upright is a nice start. Bounces require more coordination and athleticism, so I would not start with a bounce.

A placing pole doesn't need to be full width, so if any of the other wood is a bit short, use the two longest poles as a cross and any shorter wood as placing pole in front. Similarly for trot poles you could use a long pole then a shorter pole.

As for trot poles you should always use odd numbers, if you just do two then the horse might jump them. Start with one, once he trots over that then go straight to three.

Distances are really hard to dictate, so much depends on his stride length. You can do more harm getting the distances wrong so the ideal situation would be get a friend, or instructor if you can afford it, to help the first few times.

When I have had a cup of tea I will tackle suggested distances if no-one else does first

. Perhaps someone else would like to help me out here?!

 

[JustKickOn]

Horse is experienced at jumping.
I was hoping to do some grid work (after I posted in PG and somebody suggested it) to help my seat, and I also think it might make A more forward going and get her using her backend more effectively. She capeable of clearing 3ft+ and I know she can do grids.
There are some milk crates near the yard gate, so will see if I can use these if I can get hold of some wood.
I know about not using 2 poles for pole work ect, though I have ridden a horse who jumped over 5 with me

Next time I go to ride, I'll ask about wood for some more poles, if not, shall have to work something else out.

Thanks Llewelyn.

 

[DuckToller]

If you get more wood, then you could easily do trot pole to cross, then two strides to a pole balanced on the tyres and they would be quite easy to keep raising by adding another tyre! If you want to get back end working, then you need to trot in to first bit, then canter away, that really gets them on their hocks.

But it is such a pain keep getting on and off doing a grid, can you not bribe a friend to shift things about?

Going to hay my nags so back later with some distance suggestions.

ps how are the pigs? as in guinea