| What are trotting poles? | | | | before you start showjumping. |
| Trotting poles are often a set of 4-6 showjumping rails | | | | How do you set up a series of trotting poles that are |
| that are laid out at ground level. Generally, they are | | | | good for your horse's training? |
| used to trot over. Of course, if your horse is just | | | | Find 4-6 showjumping rails that you can use as a set |
| starting out, you can walk over the poles. Then | | | | to make trotting poles. Most times if you start with a |
| progress to trotting your horse over the poles. And | | | | distance of 1.4 metres between the rails you will be |
| later in your training, and with an adjusted distance, you | | | | pretty close to an 'average' horses trot stride. |
| could canter over the poles | | | | Of course if you already know you are riding a pony |
| Do they become 'canter poles' then?! | | | | you could start at 1.1 metres or if you are riding a big |
| Trotting poles are used at various distances to | | | | warmblood horse you could start off from 1.5 metres. |
| develop a series of training exercises for both horse | | | | From where ever you start, know that you are aiming |
| and rider. Plain rails can be used but the colours of | | | | for your horse to go forward in trot with an even |
| showjumping rails are an ideal introduction to the world | | | | rhythm and no change in tempo. Your horse should |
| of showjumping for your horse. | | | | place a hoofprint halfway between the rails. Adjust the |
| Do you use something different or something else as | | | | distance between the rails to suit your horses stride. |
| trotting poles in your training? | | | | Feel the different trot strides that your horse has. |
| Why use trotting poles before you start | | | | It is important to find your horses 'natural' stride. Then |
| show-jumping? | | | | you can make the adjustments that you want to |
| As a rider, the benefits are: | | | | shorten your horses stride or lengthen your horses |
| - Improve your balance as a rider | | | | stride. The set of trotting poles will help you get a feel |
| - Improve your rhythm in your riding | | | | for your horse's natural stride as well as adjusting the |
| - Find a focus and an 'eye' for distance | | | | stride shorter or longer. In showjumping, you need to |
| - Develop the discipline of riding a line (for | | | | train your horse to be able to have a shorter or longer |
| showjumping) | | | | stride where necessary, that is part of the art of |
| - Be able to ride and adjust your horse's stride | | | | showjumping! |
| For your horse, the benefits are: | | | | Once you and your horse have mastered the basic |
| - Improve their balance as a horse carrying a rider | | | | set up of trotting poles, you can do lots more |
| - Improve their rhythm and ability to lift off the ground | | | | exercises to develop your riding skills in showjumping |
| - Give your horse confidence in approaching an | | | | training. Like setting up the trotting poles on a curved |
| obstacle | | | | line. The distance at one end is wider than the other |
| - Develop their jumping style for showjumping | | | | end and it is your job as a rider to stay on the line that |
| - Find a focus when approaching their next obstacle | | | | takes you through the centre of the rails. Not as easy |
| - Develop an ability to adjust their stride | | | | to ride as when the trotting poles are in a straight line, |
| So you can see why trotting poles are so important | | | | that is for sure! |