Heavy or light poles for improving proprioception?

Casey76

Casey76

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My youngster is a bit of an oaf. He's a heavy set 16hh 4-yo who is definitely more whoa than go and does the minimum to get by (like a lot of adolescent males I imagine ;) )

He has an amazing trot when he's showing off, so I know he's got it in him, but trying to encourage that under everyday circumstances is proving to be difficult.

I've started lunging/long reining over poles to try and get him to pick his feet up a bit, and while poles on the ground are usually avoided after the 3rd or 4th pass, if I raise one it's clonked every single time, and with some force too. I've tred having the raised pole at the end of a line of 4, in the middle, using a placing pole (despite the raised pole being only 20cm)

I've been using my light J4J practice poles as they are light enough to ferry about with one hand, but I'm wondering if they aren't making enough impact if he does clonk them.

Any ideas?
 
Heavy square ones so they don't roll under the horses feet.
If you have to get some new poles you might like to try using planks rather than poles. They don't move, are cheap and horses tend to be far less inclined to stand on them.
 
Heavy ones all the way - and if possible take off the boots a couple of times. Nothing like a little knock without the protection of the boots to wake them up a bit!
 
OK. Square poles I can do. Off to the timber merchant this weekend (who annoyingly doesn't sell anything sturdy enough to be used as round jump poles, but square yes).

Thanks!
 
Heavy ones definitely, and dare I say it scaffold poles .... Nothing like a nice metallic clink to raise awareness!
 
Hi MOC, yes, we're currently working with 3 poles either in a straight line, or a small fan.

I did experiement with the raised pole as an extra one at the end of the line, and quickly realised that wasn't going to work, so went back to three.

I also think I'm going to have to raise them very slowly - a natural jumper he is not ;) I have some mini blocks somewhere - if I can find them - when means I could raise them7.5-10cm only.
 
It should be arriving in about 4 weeks (as they are made to order)

The one I tried was super comfortable, and it felt very secure with the thigh rolls and high cantle.

I fully intend to do a full review once mine has arrived and I've had a chance to test it out properly ;)
 
So just to update this... I just finished painting my poles last night, and can't wait to get them to the yard!

Not bad (even if i do say so myself ;) )

ground%20poles.jpg
 
@Tern, he doesn't wear any boots at all at the moment. Only if he starts interfereing when he starts more advanced lateral work wil he have brushing boots on.

@lucemoose, they are fencing panel uprights, 1.8m long. (cost 5.69€ each!) one coat of undercoat and 2 coats of exterior satin multipurpose paint.
 
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