One pole? There is still plenty to do.
- Encourage your horse to walk up the hill with a low and stretched neck position and with animated steps.
- Cross the pole and proceed a few more metres. The goal is to step across the pole without any interruption in his stride rhythm.
- Then immediately turn around and head back down the slope crossing over the centre of the pole. Proceed a few more metres and then stop and turn around again, facing uphill.
- Repeat this sequence at least 10 times. Aim for the same speed and stride lengths heading up and down the hill
- Stand your horse parallel to a pole. Ask him to stand as close as possible to the pole, the closer the better.
- Now ask him to keep his hind feet planted beside the pole while making a half turn on the haunches.
- He should end up facing the new direction but still parallel to the pole.
- Ask him to step forward a couple of steps, remaining closely positioned next to the pole.
- Now halt and repeat a half turn on the haunches to change direction again.
Some horses are very mindful of the pole’s presence, in which case there is no need to raise it off the ground. If, however, your horse repeatedly trips or swings in to the pole, it can help to raise the pole on risers.
- Stand your horse parallel to a pole. Ask him to stand as close as possible to the pole, the closer the better.
- Now ask him to keep his hind feet planted beside the pole while making a half turn on the haunches.
- He should end up facing the new direction but still parallel to the pole.
- Ask him to step forward a couple of steps, remaining closely positioned next to the pole.
- Now halt and repeat a half turn on the haunches to change direction again.
Some horses are very mindful of the pole’s presence, in which case there is no need to raise it off the ground. If, however, your horse repeatedly trips or swings in to the pole, it can help to raise the pole on risers.