Trotting poles: 5ft apart

Trotting poles are an excellent way to improve your horse’s rhythm and balance. John recommends setting out trotting poles at a distance of 5ft apart. Most soles on boots are around a foot long, so you can measure this by starting with your heel touching the first pole and finishing with your toe touching the next pole. “This is a little longer than other trainers recommend, but I find this takes your horse out of his comfort zone and helps him learn to think for himself,” explains John.

How many poles?

For your horse to feel the benefit and get into a steady rhythm, you’ll need to have at least four trotting poles in position, up to a maximum of eight.

Raised poles

The use of raised trotting poles encourages your horse to bend his joints. “I would have a maximum of six poles with a distance of 5ft between each one,” says John. “Start with them all on the ground and raise them progressively, from the middle pole outwards, to a maximum of 9 inches off the ground. “Also, I would suggest that your first and last pole stay on the ground, at a slightly shorter distance of 4ft 6in from the next pole. This makes it easier for your horse before he has to work harder.”

Poles on a circle

Riding over poles on a circle isn’t as easy as you may think, but it’s great discipline for you and your horse to stay in balance. It requires accuracy too, so you ride over the middle of each pole in an even rhythm. Set out your poles in a fan shape on the size of circle you’re riding. The distance between each pole should be 5ft, measured from the centre of each one.