Troting Polls

[DD TO A TEE]

Just wondering what the distence between troting polls are suppose to be???

[TradeMark]

I usually space trotting poles 3 and a half feet apart (depending on the size of feet lol... I do one foot directly in front of the other -touching-.... I wear a size 10ish riding boot). I'm pretty sure it is the general distance.

[excelequine]

Trot poles should be spaced 4.5' apart for the average sized horse.

[DressageAndRhinestones]

I usually just take one big step and plunk the next pole down, and then I run through them and if I can do it then so can my horse...
>.>
<.<
Totally scientific I know.

[TradeMark]

LOL@scientific.... the best method on here I bet!

[EquineAlberta]

The poles should be set for your horse's stride. From there you can adjust them longer or closer depending on what you are trying to do. For my lesson horses I usually set them 3.5 feet apart to start, whereas for by warmbloods/dressage horses I start with them at 4.5 feet apart.

If you rake some footing smooth in your ring and then trot your horse along it, you will be able to see what your horse's natural stride is, and can set the poles accordingly.

Karen

[DD TO A TEE]

Thank You everyone!!!

[swancreek]

okay,I have a stupid question . But I could never understand nor thought to even ask what is or does trotting over poles do anyways? I`ve trained horses for over 20 years, had national Champions but never did any pole work. I`m serious, I see people having them out but as I said have never asked what for.
Did I ask that right?

[EquineAlberta]

With students it helps them learn to feel the horse use its back, and to regulate their step. For training, it can help prepare the horse for jumping (the idea of thinking about their feet), and in general can help encourage a horse to use its back better and encourage an increase in suspension at the trot. Lenthening and shortenning the distance between poles can help encourage the horse to maintain that suspension when shortenning and lengthing rather than just dragging its toes.

Karen

[Sponsored content]