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Ground pole exercises for greenies

11K views 8 replies 8 participants last post by  fuadteagan 
#1 ·
Yes, another tread by me. I just keep having questions. Anyways, I have a 3yo mare that will hopefully end-up as my working hunter/eq over horse, bought with the potential to compete at a much higher level than I have previously. Obviously she is too young to jump, and we have been working on basic dressage things, and getting her ready for a hunter under saddle class. She is getting the basics down with driving into the bit, transitions, proper bending and some basic play in the length of her stride. I am starting to introduce ground poles to her as a way to get her used to her own feet/coordination and to help prevent boredom in our sessions. Do you guys have any specific configurations or exercises you like to do with your horses over poles? I'm just looking for ideas. Thanks, Kimberly.
 
#2 ·
My favorite is one of the most basic. Two ground poles placed 33' apart. (any 11' stride distance will work) Trot over the first pole, make a nice round circle of any size you choose, and trot back over the same pole to finish the circle. Proceed onto the next pole and do the same thing. You can mix it up by trotting one and cantering the other, changing the size of your circles, whatever keeps it fresh.
 
#3 ·
With a basic set of 4-5 groundpoles, I like to raise one side and not the other. I put a plastic jump block at each pole all on the same side, and put the edge of the pole on the lowest setting (so the jump block is laying flat on it's side). Then you start near the lowest height, and slowly work your way up to near the block. It's a good introduction if you want to do cavaletti in the future.
 
#4 ·
i like to set a 60ft line [this works with poles or fences] a practice cantering in & getting 4, 5, or 6 strides.
 
#6 ·
I highly reccomend "101 jumping exercises for horse and rider".
If you can find a copy, I would get it.
I'm starting my 3 year old in their ground pole exercises. Something fun to break up flat work and challenge them.
There are exercises to use to keep them straigh, get them bending properly for jumping etc. The exercises in the book go from ground poles to high level show jumping.
 
#7 ·
My instructer is using that book with me and my two friends, and I agree that it is excellent. It will take you back to the very very basics, and then gradually build you back up to the correct way of jumping. I would seriously recommend that book for any showjumper! :smile:
 
#8 ·
I space 2 poles at say 20 feet apart i then canter up and down it extending and collecting my strides each time to try get different each time. Its very challenging on the horse but works really well.
 
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