06/09/2025
Exactly this 👏 Observing how your horse moves around and over poles, or other obstacles, is a really important part of any training or rehab programme. Just 'doing' the pole work can cause more harm than good if there are compensatory or incorrect movement patterns.
Ground poles are one of the most versatile tools we have for both rehab and conditioning.
From the outside, they can seem so simple - just a few rails on the ground.
But done well, they can dramatically improve a horse’s proprioception, strength, balance, and coordination.
Here’s the key though: it’s not really about the poles...
✨ It’s about how the horse moves through the poles.
You can set up the most intricate zig-zag of cavaletti, but if your horse is rushing, hollow in the back, and braced through the neck, the exercise isn’t therapeutic. In fact, it may reinforce exactly the patterns we’re trying to change.
Effective pole work emphasizes:
🌱 Good spinal posture (back lifted, core engaged)
🌱 Steady rhythm (no rushing or hesitation)
🌱 Mental + physical relaxation (soft eye, swinging tail, fluid breathing)
With these qualities in place, a horse will get more benefit from four poles in a straight line than from the fanciest grid pattern done with tension.
In rehabilitation, poles are introduced slowly, usually at the walk, with careful spacing, to help horses relearn healthy movement after injury.
In conditioning, they can be raised or arranged more creatively to build strength, cadence, and athleticism.
Same tool, different goals.
But in every case, the quality of the movement matters more than the setup.
💡 Practical tip: start simple. One or two poles may be enough. Watch your horse’s posture and rhythm first, then add challenge gradually.
Because when it comes to healing and strengthening our horses, fancy doesn’t equal effective. Thoughtful does. 💜
💬 What’s your favorite way to use ground poles?
