Are you and your pony finding the training schedule a bit dull? If so why not spice it up with some trotting poles or Cavallettis placed at their lowest level?
Spacing the poles: You can accomplish variety in the routine by putting the poles in a random manner. Have the poles at different points in the riding area. Practice different gaits over each of the poles. Poles in a row should be set at minimum distances to enable the horse to negotiate them safely. Have at least 3 feet between poles for walks, 4 or 4 1/2 feet gaps for trots and 9 feet gaps for canters.
Naturally, these distances are flexible, and will change with the horse's size, the rider's experience and the exercise level desired. Ponies have shorter strides, and therefore , can do with shorter openings. Larger horses with longer strides would need longer gaps.
I take the easy way out. I use gaps of 9 feet for all gaits, just because it saves me the bother of having to move the poles for each gait.
These are some of the exercises possible with poles:
Poles in a circle: This is definitely a great way to exercise. Have poles at the 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock, 9 o'clock and 12 o'clock positions on a circle of about 20 m diameter. Try and meet each pole in the middle when riding the circle.
Stop your horse from drifting off the circle by utilizing your outside leg. You can make the exercise tougher by reducing the diameter of the circle.
Wheel spokes: Spread three or five rails so they radiate out like wheel spokes. The distance from the center of one pole to the next should be 4 1/2 feet for the trot. Make certain that all the poles point at the same center. Your circle can be of 20 m, 15 m and 10 m diameters. The littler the circle, the harder the exercise will be to handle.
As mentioned above, use the outer leg to keep the pony on course.
Count strides: Set up 2 poles at a distance of 60 ft. This is a terrific way to count how many strides your horse takes between poles. You can decrease or increase that number by shortening or extending your horse's stride. Note that random pole placement can be disastrous, so take care to place poles correctly.
Spacing the poles: You can accomplish variety in the routine by putting the poles in a random manner. Have the poles at different points in the riding area. Practice different gaits over each of the poles. Poles in a row should be set at minimum distances to enable the horse to negotiate them safely. Have at least 3 feet between poles for walks, 4 or 4 1/2 feet gaps for trots and 9 feet gaps for canters.
Naturally, these distances are flexible, and will change with the horse's size, the rider's experience and the exercise level desired. Ponies have shorter strides, and therefore , can do with shorter openings. Larger horses with longer strides would need longer gaps.
I take the easy way out. I use gaps of 9 feet for all gaits, just because it saves me the bother of having to move the poles for each gait.
These are some of the exercises possible with poles:
Poles in a circle: This is definitely a great way to exercise. Have poles at the 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock, 9 o'clock and 12 o'clock positions on a circle of about 20 m diameter. Try and meet each pole in the middle when riding the circle.
Stop your horse from drifting off the circle by utilizing your outside leg. You can make the exercise tougher by reducing the diameter of the circle.
Wheel spokes: Spread three or five rails so they radiate out like wheel spokes. The distance from the center of one pole to the next should be 4 1/2 feet for the trot. Make certain that all the poles point at the same center. Your circle can be of 20 m, 15 m and 10 m diameters. The littler the circle, the harder the exercise will be to handle.
As mentioned above, use the outer leg to keep the pony on course.
Count strides: Set up 2 poles at a distance of 60 ft. This is a terrific way to count how many strides your horse takes between poles. You can decrease or increase that number by shortening or extending your horse's stride. Note that random pole placement can be disastrous, so take care to place poles correctly.
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Horses are Heather Toms
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