Ready to Test Your Precision? Try This Week’s New Pole Exercise - The Precision Square!

Intro:
This week’s exercise is a simple but versatile one, using just 4 poles and a flat area. With a focus on precision and control, it challenges both horse and rider, helping test straightness, balance, and line accuracy.

Why:
If you’re working with limited space and limited equipment, this exercise is perfect. It has many beneficial applications, including:

• Testing your horse’s straightness

• Identifying bulging on turns or bends

• Assessing your own riding position

• Planning and riding accurate lines

• Comparing left vs. right bend and coordination

• Increasing precision in your aids and riding decisions

Setting up:
In the middle of your work area, place 4 standard jumping poles (3.6m long) in a square, with the ends touching. If you have a smaller arena or restricted space, orient the poles in a diamond shape (i.e., not parallel to the arena walls). See the diagram for clarification. You need a space at least 20m wide, and preferably twice as long.

How to progress:
Start by riding straight over the poles (if you're in an arena, approach across the diagonal) you'll approach the square perpendicular to the nearest pole. Do this in:

• Walk

• Trot

• Canter

As you ride, keep in mind that the poles may not always be the ideal distance apart for your horse’s natural paces. This is entirely normal and part of the challenge! If your horse takes a longer or shorter step, it should not unbalance you. As long as your position is stable and your hands are allowing, your horse will have the freedom to make the necessary adjustments without interference. Remember, just like with jumping, do not interfere on final approach - this is a great way to form that habit!

Once you and your horse are comfortable with straight lines on perpendicular approaches, try the following:

• Ride from point to point across the poles.

  

  When approaching the corners, take note of whether your horse has a natural tendency to drift left or right. This drift may vary depending on the gait. It can be particularly noticeable when riding from corner to corner (i.e., across the widest diagonal line of the square). For an additional challenge, try riding the same line but shifting a metre to the left and a metre to the right. This will bring you over the pole at a 45-degree angle. Does your horse stay straight on both reins and at both angles?

  As you ride, depending which line you take, keep in mind that the poles will probably NOT be the ideal distance apart for your horse’s natural paces. This is entirely normal and part of the challenge! If your horse takes a longer or shorter step, it should not unbalance you. As long as your position is stable and your hands are allowing, your horse will have the freedom to make the necessary adjustments without interference. Remember, just like with jumping, do not interfere on final approach - this is a great way to form that habit! (YES, I repeated that - it's important!)

  Once you and your horse are comfortable with that:

  • Ride circles over the corners of the square/diamond.

Tips:
Remember, the smallest possible circle a well-educated and balanced horse can do on one track is 6m in diameter. Be cautious not to ask for turns that are too tight, as it will create tension and unbalance your horse.

Challenge:
For an extra challenge, with the second part of the exercise (the angled lines where you approach at 45 degrees) see if you can place a single hoof in the corner of the square or diamond as you ride over it. Precision is key!

Reminder:
Work over poles can be mentally and physically demanding for your horse. If your horse becomes confused or hits the poles, or if you lose your balance and position, more repetition is never the solution. Instead, take a break, reassess the problem, and find another way to address it. Pole exercises like these often highlight issues you may not have been aware of before. Repeating the exercise without addressing the root cause will compound the issue. Use video review—either through me or your own coach—and always ensure you are correcting the root problem. Remember, little and often will get you better results.

More:
We have more "Exercise of the Week" blogs on our website. Head over to the blog to explore more exercises designed to help you and your horse succeed!

Thank you so much for being here!
Until next time,
Merindah