Ground Poles at a Jump.

[Silver]

Am an old time BHSAI, don't really teach much nowadays but just registered as an accredited coach and on the safeguarding course someone mentioned that at a jump ground poles are no longer placed flat on the ground. When I asked why no one could give me an answer.

Would be great if someone could educate me and let me know.

Thanks.

 

[ihatework]

I'm not sure I even understand what you mean?
If a ground pole isn't on the ground then surely it's not a ground pole, or have I missed something?

What organisation was running the course?

 

[PorkChop]

They still are in my world!

The clue is in the name surely, it is to define the ground.

Ground poles are not used in SJ competitions, is this what you mean?

 

[Silver]

Was at a course run by the BHS.
They said a ground polo at a jump should never be flat on the ground but one side raised.

 

[ihatework]

Was at a course run by the BHS.
They said a ground polo at a jump should never be flat on the ground but one side raised.

So what they are really saying is don't use ground poles. Typical blumming BHS. A rider somewhere under tuition has probably fallen or something when their horse trod on a pole and then tried claiming off a BHS instructors insurance.

 

[stencilface]

This sounds crazy, do they not do pole work either? If you're worried too much about your horse tripping over a pole that you should stay at home on the sofa.

 

[Shay]

I think it is to reduce the risk of a horse not seeing it / tripping on it. At least if one side is slightly raised and the horse catches it with a foot the pole will move away rather than the horse being able to put part of a hoof on top of a pole that then shifts and wenches the lower limb structures. However I understand the use of foam poles (they squish) and flat plank like bars (but not planks which would be too wide) are also "allowed". ihatework is probably right - it will be an insurance exclusion!

 

[be positive]

I think it is to reduce the risk of a horse not seeing it / tripping on it. At least if one side is slightly raised and the horse catches it with a foot the pole will move away rather than the horse being able to put part of a hoof on top of a pole that then shifts and wenches the lower limb structures. However I understand the use of foam poles (they squish) and flat plank like bars (but not planks which would be too wide) are also "allowed". ihatework is probably right - it will be an insurance exclusion!

If they are close enough to trip over a correctly placed ground pole they are not going to clear the actual fence so that theory cannot be right, placing poles are more of a tripping hazard but the whole point of training is to teach the horse to look and learn where to place it's feet, as long as poles are used correctly the only real risk is that the horse has either not looked or failed to learn that stage of it's training, not the same as knocking a fence down which is a different part of the equation.

That said having one side raised does give a better focus point to a fence, I tend to mix things up as you rarely see a pole flat on the ground in a competition.

 

[teapot]

So what they are really saying is don't use ground poles. Typical blumming BHS. A rider somewhere under tuition has probably fallen or something when their horse trod on a pole and then tried claiming off a BHS instructors insurance.

Don't think it's BHS country wide, not going by the lessons I've seen over past few weeks at a reputable BHS rs! More like one person has a bee in their bonnet about something. RDA certainly has policies regarding who can use poles within sessions, ie anything even an inch off the ground or riders in a light seat are only allowed if you're an 'approved jumping group'...

 

[Rowreach]

I think that "placing poles" are still on the ground and that what they mean is a pole at the actual base of the fence (ie between the front pair of stands) must be raised at least at one end.