Ground poles

[MrsHhorses]

What can I do to help my horse pick up her feet over poles when riding & lunging?

Doesn’t matter if I’m lunging, leading her over or riding-which is better.
She is just clumsy over them.
I don’t want her to injure herself but I’m not sure how to help.

I’ve measured the distance out for them each time etc and she shouldn’t have any trouble but it’s almost as if she can’t be bothered to lift her feet so just knocks them instead.

I’ve watched countless videos on how to set the poles up etc & various exercises starting from the very basics but can see any pointers if the horse still won’t pick its feet up to avoid knocking the poles!?

I’ve only tried at walk. Would it be better to get this step before trotting or would that make her think about it more?

Any ideas on what I should work on?
Thank you

 

[Splash2310]

Sorry if this is an obvious question, but are you using plastic or wooden poles?

 

[Merry neddy man]

Instead of 10cm (4") poles see if you can get some 22.5cm (9") telegraph poles, check on a good site that the distances you are using are correct.

 

[MrsHhorses]

They are plain wooden brown posts.
Not sure of the size.

 

[SEL]

I've got one with back issues who demolishes poles - much better after physio. If they're being kicked everywhere it's usually a sign she needs some work. Check your horse is looking down, is straight and try to see if it's a particular leg that is knocking them.

If you're doing it as a physio exercise then I find getting some chunky logs helps exaggerate the stepping over action more so than poles.

 

[Red-1]

I would use heavy wooden poles, the long ones for added weight. I find that, especially thicker set horses, as youngsters, don't really see the urgency to clear them. I had a big Clydesdale cross ID who was particularly bad. I used to call the poles Edward's roller-skates until he got the hang of them

I would start with a single pole. Make sure it is a heavy one. Make sure the walk or trot is active and the horse goes with head lowered (not exaggeratedly so) so he can see the pole.

First time with more than one pole, I would use double distance and not be too greedy as to how big a stride they have to take. For 17.2 Edward, it was around 9ft. For a smaller horse, I would start smaller. 3 poles.

If the horse really doesn't get the hang, then I would involve the vet for eye test and also performance work up.

Plain wooden brown posts would not have been of interest to Edward. Mere matchsticks to be moved out of the way. No issues to him!

After some work, he ended up an educated, light, well schooled ride. He could do shoulder in, traverse, walk/canter/walk etc. He became careful as to where his feet were and was reasonable to jump. You just had to meet him where he was initially, a big galump.