Why Use Canter Poles?
For Groundwork
Riding over correctly-spaced poles can help your horse develop his co-ordination, as he has to take care where he's putting his legs. It's also a good exercise to improve balance and will help keep a sluggish horse interested in his work. Polework will help your horse develop a rhythm and consistent stride, which is useful in all disciplines. Young horses can also be introduced to colored poles in a safe environment.
For Jumping
Using canter poles for jumping will help to slow down a horse that rushes, and encourage the rider to regain a balanced position immediately after the jump. They are also useful to improve straightness over a jump, as the rider can aim for a particular part of a colored pole.
If you have a horse that rushes jumps very badly, using one canter pole on its own can help to settle him down. Ride over the pole until he stops expecting to jump, and canters over it in a controlled fashion. Gradually introduce more poles, and eventually add a small jump at the end of the sequence.
How to Use Canter Poles
Canter poles are simply poles laid on the ground at set intervals. They can be used in groundwork, to help your horse develop a bouncy, consistent canter stride, or in jumping, to encourage concentration and correct striding. They are particularly useful when working with young, inexperienced, or unbalanced horses. However, it's important to get the spacing right, or you may actually unbalance your horse.
When using canter poles, heavy, wooden poles are better than lightweight plastic ones. If a horse accidentally clips a lightweight pole, it will roll out of position and possibly cause the horse to spook. It's fine to make your own canter poles, but you will need a very straight, sturdy, heavy piece of wood about 7 to 8 feet long, with no sharp edges. Poles are normally painted in bands of colors, to make it easier to ride for a specific part of the pole and practice a straight approach.
Canter poles should initially be placed exactly 12 feet apart. Choose a level area to place the poles, and measure the distances exactly with a tape measure. Use a series of four poles for maximum effect, and take care that all the poles are exactly parallel to each other, so that your distances are accurate. As your horse's balance improves, you can move the poles a little closer together to encourage him to take a shorter stride if required, but always keep the same distance between each pole.
When using canter poles for jumping, place one pole 12 feet in front of the fence, and one 12 feet after the fence.
Canter poles are a very useful training aid, but take care with to use them properly to avoid unbalancing or confusing your horse.
Sara Walker - I graduated from the University of Liverpool with a BA in English and French, and spent many years working as a software trainer and then ...
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