Pole work
The bar work is in equestrian sport an important exercise for horse and rider. This promotes the horse's muscles, especially the back muscles. It shows a greater cadence and develops a better beat in all three gaits .
Goal setting
Pole work is useful for both dressage horses and show jumpers and, with certain modifications, can also be used by beginners or young horses. In addition to gymnastics, it serves to increase the horse's attention, the variety (for horse and rider) in training and the lifting of the legs in the sense of increasing cadence and finally to get used to a possible later jumping training. In addition, a clock shift in the step in the direction of the pass can be counteracted with bar work. When used right at the beginning of a training session, the bars have a loosening effect and can calm high-spirited or very temperamental horses.
execution
Usually several poles are placed one behind the other at defined intervals. The distances depend on the gait, the gait of the horse and the purpose of the exercise (gathering or loosening exercises). Walk approx. 80 cm, trot approx. 110 - 130 cm, gallop approx. 240 - 350 cm. Longer distances serve to increase the tempo , for example to extend the trot steps or gallop jumps. Shorter distances are more for assembly and cadencing. For the latter, it is also helpful to hang the poles in stands so that - like the "floor tricks" - they are about 20 to 40 cm away from the floor. It is important to note that the horse should not jump, but should continue its trot or gallop in rhythm.
If horses with very different stride lengths are to walk over the same row of bars, then the bars can be placed in rays on the circle line . Horses with shorter strides can now walk a slightly smaller circle, horses with large strides a larger circle. The number of bars in a row must correspond to the level of training of the horses.
Poles are used instead of Cavalettis because they are easier to use. They are used both for dressage work and in jumping training when the horses are to be loosened up at the beginning of the lesson. The course is then gradually built up from the poles that are already in the lane.
So that the bars do not roll away when a horse hits or steps on them, they can be placed on small double wedges made of wood or plastic. The bars should stand out in color from the floor covering and be clearly visible to the horses.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Guidelines for Riding and Driving. Vol. 1: Basic training for rider and horse . Published by the German Equestrian Association (FNverlag), 26th edition, Warendorf 1994, ISBN 3-88542-262-X , p. 129