Groundwork
Intermediate
20 min
Leading Over Ground Poles at the Canter
Focus: Awareness, Coordination, Confidence
Equipment: 4 ground poles, Halter and leadrope
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Lay 4 ground poles in a row, spaced 3 feet apart (comfortable canter stride for the horse).
- Lead your horse at the canter straight through the poles. Canter beside the horse, not through the poles yourself.
- The horse should canter calmly through the poles, picking up its feet and placing them deliberately.
- If the horse rushes, halt before the poles and try again. If it balks, use gentle encouragement.
- Repeat 4-6 times until the horse canters through calmly without hesitation.
- Progress to canterting through the poles in-hand once the canter is confident.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- The horse stepping on or tripping over the poles because it's not paying attention.
- Rushing through the poles from nervousness rather than walking deliberately.
- The handler walking too fast and pulling the horse through before it's ready.
- Not giving the horse enough rope to lower its head and look at the poles.
Variations & Progressions
- Raise alternate poles to 4-6 inches for more engagement.
- Set up poles on a curve for a bending ground pole exercise.
- Lead over poles in different configurations: L-shape, fan, random scatter.
Tip: Ground poles teach body awareness from the ground up. A horse that's careful with its feet in-hand will be more careful under saddle.
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