1. Teach Trot Poles
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2. Teach Trot Poles Overview
Walking & Trotting Poles
Sequence of Progression
Teaching Trot Poles
Trot poles are an excellent way to introduce riders to jumping and improve flatwork. To begin with this workbook revises information about walk and trot poles, then progresses to explaining how to safely teach trot poles to a single rider (private or one on one lesson) at different stages of learning. Teaching trot poles to groups of riders will be covered in a future workbook.

3. Walk & Trotting Poles Benefits for the horse and rider:- Rider Horse
Develops co-ordination or the aids
Confidence building
Improves 2 and 3 point balance and security of the seat
Helps to develop an ‘eye’ for distances
Helps to develop ‘feel’
Obedience
Develops co-ordination, rhythm and balance
Helps to supple the horse
Improves quality of the paces
Useful as a cross-training exercise for dressage horses to prevent boredom
Walk and trot poles are beneficial exercises to introduce jumping to horse and rider. They can be used as a cross training exercise for dressage horses and when ridden correctly encourage cadence, engagement and impulsion. Walk and trot poles can be used progressively starting with one pole and building up to four poles for walk or four to six poles for trot.
Poles can be used in walk, trot and (at a more advanced level) canter. The distance they are set apart will vary depending on the pace, surface and stride length of the particular horse. The surrounding area, size and education of the horse or pony and even the colour of the poles can also have an effect of the distance.
Depending on the reason they are used, walk poles can be ridden in upright seat or forward seat (three or two point). Trot poles can be ridden in either rising trot or two point seat.
Individual horse step lengths and the type of surface being ridden on will affect the distance the walk and trot poles are set at. The average walk step length is around one metre (3ft 3in) but can vary greatly and trot step lengths of many horses can range from 1.1 to 1.5 metres (3.9ft to 4.9ft). For small ponies poles may need to be spaced at under 1 metre (3.2ft) and horses with a large stride who are confident going over trot poles may need them set at over 1.5 metres (4.9ft).
When progressively building up the number of walk and trot poles being worked over there is a correct sequence to adding the walk and trot poles to ensure the rider’s safety and the horse’s confidence are not compromised.
It is essential that the poles are secure and do not roll. If you are riding on sand or ‘worked’ surface the poles can be ‘pushed’ a little deeper into the surface. If you are riding on a grass surface sand can be used on either side at either end of the pole to decrease the likelihood of the pole rolling. This sand is easily spread into the grass after the pole is removed.
Alternatively there may be a physical device to secure the poles, like witches hats or another ‘horse proof’ object.

4. Sequence of Progression
If the rider and/or the horse have not had any training over poles they may be introduced to walk poles first. Although the distances are different, the sequence of progression is the same.
Firstly after warming up over one pole, the second pole is placed in the position of the fourth (approx. 3 – 4.5 metres from the first pole) so that when it is ridden the horse will put in three steps between the two poles (this applies for riding poles in walk and trot; keep in mind that the distance of the poles will need to be altered for each pace/gait).
The reason for this is safety, when two poles are placed too close together, a horse may try to jump over both poles together (like they are going over a ditch). If the second pole is placed in the position of the third pole the horse may attempt to use the exercise as canter poles.
By counting the three steps between each pole, it also gives you the added benefit of being able to gauge a comfortable distance for the horse before more poles are added.
Progressing from one to two poles

5. Sequence of Progression (cont.)
The progression to three and four poles is much less complex. When three is required the poles will go in the positions of the first, second and third pole, then finally when the fourth is added it goes into fourth position.
Any further poles can be placed onto the end.
It is important to remember the following things when riding trot poles:-
The turn before and after the trot poles as well as the approach and departure lines are just as important as the trot poles themselves.
Trot poles on the centre line of a dressage arena are more difficult to ride because it requires a 10m circle to be ridden onto the approach/departure line. This may be difficult for some horses causing them to lose regularity and rhythm.
When working in a dressage arena, poles can be placed on the three quarter line (not the outside track) or on the diagonal
The horse’s rhythm and tempo should remain the same on the approach, departure and over all poles (if not the distance of the poles may need to be re-evaluated).
It is important to perform the exercise on both reins to work the muscle groups evenly on both sides of the horse.
At this stage, always ride over the middle of the trot poles.
From two to three poles
From three to four poles

6. Teaching Trot Poles Beginner riders
Trot poles are a stepping stone for riders wishing to learn how to jump and for dressage riders that are a valuable training tool. No matter what level of rider or horse the first approach to a single trot pole should be done at walk in an upright or 3 point seat, this is for safety reasons to gauge the reaction of the horse to stepping over the pole.
Beginner riders
When introducing trot poles to this level of rider they should already know how to do 2 and 3 point seat and they should also be capable of riding and giving basic aids in canter in case the horse pops into canter over the pole (ideally it will unlikely that the season school horse will do this as they should be familiar with poles but even the season school horse can have exuberant days!).
Trot poles can be introduced on the circle or on a straight line in the arena but wherever they are set up you need to explain to the ride that they need to guide the horse over the centre of the pole, there are 2 reasons the middle is the best place to go over the pole; (1) once the pole becomes a jump it will have jump wings on the ends and if ridden too closely the rider will be likely to catch their leg and (2) the horse is less likely to try to go around the pole if they are ridden to the centre of it.
Beginner riders will need to be encouraged to ride an accurate line on entry and departure to the pole. An accurate line is one that leads straight to the middle of the pole without wavering. A longer entry and departure is suited to beginner riders as they generally need more time to organise themselves and the horse. Cones or markers can be useful in assisting the rider to maintain the correct line. Remember in the future the rider’s departure line from one jump is the approach line to the next.
Encourage the rider to get their 2 point seat early (this is because beginner riders lack the experience and ‘feel’ to be able to get their 2 point right before the pole) also to maintain the 2 point after the pole, this is a good way to check that the rider can keep their 2 point instead of losing balance as the horse’s hind legs come through.
Some likely riding faults at this level include:-
Problem
Action
Lack of preparation (e.g., not shortening the reins prior 2 point)
Provide regular, clear instruction on the preparation for coming into the trot poles.
Loss approach/departure line
Use cones or markers to assist the rider to see and follow the line.
Loss of 2 point seat over the poles
Practice in rising trot. Establish 2 point seat sooner before the pole. If consistent return to practicing 2 point on the flat and if necessary on the lunge.
Loss of rising trot rhythm over the poles
Practice rising trot in a faster trot (on the lunge if necessary), reduce the number of trot poles.

7. Teach Trot Poles (cont.)
Intermediate riders
Intermediate riders
With this level of rider you may be working towards refining their skills and starting to develop their ‘feel’ as they ride over trot poles, still focusing on the same foundations as you did with beginner riders (i.e., straight arrival and departure lines, 2 point seat, one rhythm and tempo, over the middle of the poles).
Intermediate riders may have developed enough timing and co-ordination to be able to get 2 point seat right before the poles. You will also be encouraging them to check and correct their trot diagonals on returning to rising trot. To make the exercise more challenging you can have the rider identify how many steps the horse puts between each pole, this is particularly good when at the stage of riding over 2 poles set in the 1st and 4th position (see diagram on page 7) as the horse should be getting 3 steps between the 2 poles. Another exercise is to have the rider focus on one of the horse’s legs and identify when it steps over the poles.
It is important to remember that the trot should be established prior to coming onto the approach line for the poles. Failure to do so where by the rider hurries the horse into trot before the poles can encourage the horse to rush or speed up into fences and also does not allow time to establish a consistent rhythm and tempo for stepping over the poles.
Some likely riding faults at this level include:-
Problem
Action
Lack of preparation (e.g., not shortening the reins prior 2 point)
Provide regular, clear instruction on the preparation for coming into the trot poles.
Loss approach/departure line
Use cones or markers to assist the rider to see and follow the line.
Horse ridden at a trot that is too fast or too slow
Identify reason for incorrect rhythm & tempo:- Is horse heading towards/away from gate? Is the distance of the poles suitable for the horse? How is the surface? How is the rider’s position? Is the horse lazy? Does the horse get excited over poles?
Doing a transition to trot in front of the trot poles
Establish the trot before coming onto approach line. Provide the rider with reasons for doing so.
Incorrect trot diagonal after the poles
Remind and assist the rider to obtain the correct diagonal

8. Teaching Trot Poles (cont.)
Experienced riders
Experienced riders
You may find this level of rider already has some knowledge and experience riding trot poles, for these riders you will be able to refine their skills and provide them with challenges such as riding over trot poles set at a shorter distance and longer distance to work towards developing quality in longer and shorter strides in the horse and recognition and ‘feel’ in the rider.
And then you may come across experienced riders whom have not ridden trot poles but will be capable of riding accurate lines and maintaining consistent rhythm and tempo. For these riders you will need to provide all the basic information regarding trot poles. They may be capable of riding over the poles in rising trot but may need some practice in maintaining 2 point on the flat (and possibly on the lunge) before attempting 2 point over the poles.
Other exercises suited for experienced riders riding over trot poles include identifying when a specific leg steps over the poles, identifying how many steps between each pole and setting up poles on a curved line (poles on a curved line can be ridden at shortened, lengthened and normal stride lengths because the distance between the poles varies at each end of the curved line).
Some likely riding faults at this level include:-
Problem
Action
Lack of preparation (e.g., not shortening the reins prior 2 point)
Provide regular, clear instruction on the preparation for coming into the trot poles.
Incorrect trot diagonal after the poles
Remind and assist the rider to obtain the correct diagonal
Loss of rein contact (e.g., floppy, loose rein over the poles)
Ensure the rider shortens the rein enough that they will not lose rein contact when they go into 2 point seat.
Cantering over the poles
The rider may need to slow the trot tempo down and apply regular half-halts. Check experience of horse. Check the distance of the trot poles.

9. For more information see your workbook.