3 THE DIAGONALS
This pole layout can be ridden on multiple different lines to improve straightness, elevation, changes of rein, accuracy, bending lines, mental stimulation, control, gymnastic ability and core strength.
It uses 26 poles, four blocks/wings and up to ten pole raisers in a 20x60m arena, but it can be adapted to suit the size arena or field you have using fewer poles.
■ How to ride it
Place your poles as shown in the diagram (below). Begin by building a square (the box) at X, with the four sets of poles sitting on the diagonal lines.
First walk through all of the line options — there are four, riding both diagonal lines in either direction — to familiarise your horse with each of the questions. Then do the same in trot. Be sure to incorporate lots of breaks for your horse as this is a mental and physical workout.
■ Next steps
Introduce curving lines as well as straight lines. Choose one of the exercises and when you enter the box, ride a curving line out of it instead of carrying on along the diagonal.
When you and your horse are ready (this might not be in the first session), raise the poles in the diamond and gradually lift the other poles onto any pole raisers. Correct the horse if he wavers off his line, but do not try to hold him together: let him think for himself.
■ Why it works
Riding curving lines in this exercise encourages your horse to be quick thinking, listen to you and react quickly when you tell him which way to go as he will not know where to go once inside the box. It is also a challenge for the rider to stay in balance and keep communicating direction to the horse.
Raising poles encourages lift and elevation in the trot, while crossing over the points of triangle and Vs tests your accuracy and the horse’s ability to stay straight.