If you are looking to keep your horse in the best possible health so they can perform optimally, treatments by a qualified equine therapist are only the beginning — follow them up with targeted strengthening exercises at home and you’ll be amazed with the results. The following polework exercises for horses have been suggested by veterinary physiotherapist Hayley Marsh, as they are designed to help strengthen their core when done at home in between treatments.
How pole exercises for horses work
Polework for horses can increase the range of motion of the horse’s limbs and joints, engage the hindquarters, increase stride length and core stability, and improve balance and proprioception (the sense of position and movement). The following exercises can be done under saddle, in-hand, on the lunge or on long-reins. NB: If your horse is coming back into work following an injury, or if you have any concerns about your horse’s physical state, we recommend you speak to your vet or physio before adding these exercises into your horse’s work.
Three pole exercises for horses to strengthen their core
1. Raised poles
Set out six poles in a line, spaced so that there is one footfall between each pole, and work through them in walk first, followed by trot once you’ve amended the distance. Next, raise alternate ends of the poles (beginning with one pole at a time for inexperienced horses), starting with just a few inches in height, to increase the range of motion in the joints. On approach, make sure that the horse is balanced and straight, and let him find his own way through the poles. Don’t hold him together. Once the horse is performing this exercise well you can gradually increase the height of the poles, but they should not exceed about a foot on one side, with the other end resting on the ground.
Set of four Pole Pods at Amazon Use these stackable pods to raise ground poles for flatwork and rehab. Can be used one or two pods high.
Agrihealth Jump Blocks at Viovet These mini blocks offer two heights for raised poles – 15cm and 25cm – to tailor your work to your horse.
2. The maze
Set up a maze, as in the video. Walk through in a forward, balanced walk. As you turn each corner, open your inside hand to encourage the horse to bend through his body in the direction of travel and place your inside leg slightly behind the girth, encouraging him to step under and cross over with his hindlegs. If you are doing this exercise in-hand, then use your body positioning, line and stick to encourage the horse to bend to the inside and step under with the hindleg. Once set up, you can also use this exercise to walk and trot over the poles (see arrows on diagram below).
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
3. Fan of poles
Set out five poles in a fan shape with a foot’s width between the poles at the narrow end of the fan, and about five to six feet wide at the widest. Ask the horse to work his way through the poles in balance, ensuring he is active. You can encourage him to shorten and lengthen his stride by choosing which line he takes over the poles. Ensure he has a slight inside bend through his body.
Important things to note when using pole exercises with your horse
Walk is the most effective pace to perform polework in when trying to build a horse’s core strength as there is no moment of suspension, so all movement is achieved through muscular effort
The closer the poles are together, the more the horse has to sit back and developing his carrying capacity and, alternatively, the further they are set apart, the more the horse has to push forward to lengthen his stride — be aware that this can encourage the horse to fall onto his forehand
Working horses over poles without a rider allows the horse to move more through his back and core, while also giving the rider the chance to see how the horse is moving
About Hayley Marsh
Hayley is a fully qualified and insured veterinary physiotherapy with a BSc in Equine Sports Science and a PgDip in Veterinary Physiotherapy. She is a member of the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP), RAMP and is recognised and covered by equine insurance companies. Find out more…
Stephanie Bateman began her career working for Horse & Hound’s sister title HORSE magazine in 2009 after studying a BSc Equine Science degree at Hartpury university. After a few years working in-house for a national equestrian title, she went freelance in 2011, and now writes for a variety of print and online platforms, editing sections of national monthly magazines and contributing regular features and event reports to Horse & Hound. She juggles working with being a mummy and wife, and riding her coloured mare Matilda.
