Walk pole exercises?

[Cob Life]

I’m bringing a horse back into work, hopefully we Weill get out hacking next week but for now we are in the school.
we are sticking to walk purely to build Confidence, but are both getting bored in the school! Does anyone have any walk pole exercises? We have a few cones and barrels too

I’ve been setting up the poles like little “roads” so we have to go between them too etc

 

[sbloom]

I would highly recommend getting Jec Ballou 55 exercises, some pole exercises but also lots of other exercises to help with "rider carrying" muscles and posture which will help with long term soundness especially after time off when so many of us probably jump on too soon without doing this sort of preparation.

 

[Cob Life]

I would highly recommend getting Jec Ballou 55 exercises, some pole exercises but also lots of other exercises to help with "rider carrying" muscles and posture which will help with long term soundness especially after time off when so many of us probably jump on too soon without doing this sort of preparation.

Thank you, we did 8 weeks in hand work over poles, hills etc to fitten her before I got on, i think we are on week 4 now of 10 minutes of walk ridden 3 times a week.
I do like a book though!

 

[stangs]

Could you try some simple horse agility or in hand WE?

That would include halting with all four feet inside a hula hoop (you could do something similar with cones), reining back through pole ‘roads’, side passing along a pole, and walking through those tight S structures you can make with poles as well. If you have a mat or any strange surface, practising going over that. You could probably even make a ‘gate’ to go through with poles and cones. Then practicing going at different speeds in walk as well.

Not sure how useful this might be to build fitness, but it’d certainly give her and you something to think about.

 

[sbloom]

Thank you, we did 8 weeks in hand work over poles, hills etc to fitten her before I got on, i think we are on week 4 now of 10 minutes of walk ridden 3 times a week.
I do like a book though!

The thinking of those I like to follow the most is to get the thoracic sling lifted which almost always means straightening work - the pole work and fittening is great once they're straight and lifted in front. It's fascinating how much things are changing and it's good that you did that 8 weeks, so many don't, but you may find those exercises (and I can post a ton of other links to this sort of work) give you an extra layer of positive work for your horse

 

[Fransurrey]

Look up Trec obstacles and practise those. Ones I can think of off the top of my head are sideways over a pole, rein back between poles, fallen branches (rustic cavaletti I guess!), plus turn on the forehand with two poles at 90 degrees to each other (good for opening gates!).

 

[TPO]

Vet Physio Phyle is worth following on social media (Instagram / fb). Her website is good too and she had ebooks for groundwork and polework

https://vetphysiophyle.co.uk/shop-2/?amp=1

There's also Claire Lilleys book about pole exercises

200+ School Exercises With Poles https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/0851319939/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_5P5PVR4QXJX7F0B5SPVX

 

[MuddyMonster]

Have a look at Trec style obstacles too - S bend, corridor, weaves, road closed, rope gates, figure of 8, sidepass, turn about box, cloverleaf etc.

You can also play with getting a fast walk without breaking gait as you would for control of paces and immobility is another

For polework inspiration there is a great FB page but must confess I tend to repeat the same cycle ? I have a row of alternate ends raised, both ends raised, a box on a circle so everytime the horse in the box make a transition, a row of half diamonds (1 pole length wise then two poles to make a point) as it really helps accuracy.

I find placing poles on the diagonal really helps me focus on riding better corners too.

 

[HG95]

There's an app called Equi-Pole the Polework App. It's a couple of quid but has loads of different layouts that you can work through at different paces. I love the fact it doesn't need internet to work and with it being on my phone means that I can look at different exercises whilst sat on board

 

[Cob Life]

Thank you, lots of ideas!

My biggest aims with her are to get her fitter, get her confident with a rider again (she will let me get on but she needs LOTS of reassurance) and teach her that riding can be fun.
having not been ridden in years things like leg yields and turn on the fore hand are probably a little too much for her right now but she’s great at doing gates with me on the ground so i might give that a try ridden

 

[Cob Life]

The thinking of those I like to follow the most is to get the thoracic sling lifted which almost always means straightening work - the pole work and fittening is great once they're straight and lifted in front. It's fascinating how much things are changing and it's good that you did that 8 weeks, so many don't, but you may find those exercises (and I can post a ton of other links to this sort of work) give you an extra layer of positive work for your horse

I’d love some more links please!

 

[bouncing_ball]

Thank you, we did 8 weeks in hand work over poles, hills etc to fitten her before I got on, i think we are on week 4 now of 10 minutes of walk ridden 3 times a week.
I do like a book though!

IMO this book Jec Ballou 55 corrective exercises is a must have, and something you will dip into again and again. She has done you tube videos of many of the exercises too. And there is a FB discussing the exercises (not run by Jec)

 

[Cob Life]

IMO this book Jec Ballou 55 corrective exercises is a must have, and something you will dip into again and again. She has done you tube videos of many of the exercises too. And there is a FB discussing the exercises (not run by Jec)

It’s arriving tomorrow! I think I will be able to use exercises in it to benefit both the horses