Double Bounce Poles - Riding Exercise

Poles Set 9’ apart or Bounce poles.
I like this set up for several reasons;
1. It can be used in all 3 gaits without needing to change the distances.
2. It can be tailored to most skill sets, level of fitness and ability.
3. Can be ridden, lunged or worked in-hand.
Why;
1. Stepping over ground poles set at a pre-determined distance encourages the horse to take even, straight steps.
2. Polework can increase strength and stability of the topline, core stabilizers and abdominal muscles.
3. Increase range of motion in joints and myofascia.
4. Improve your horse’s spatial awareness/kinesthesia.
5. Improve horse and rider’s timing and balance.
6. Develop rhythm within the gaits.
7. Improve mental focus by asking the horse to look ahead at where it’s feet will go and to plan accordingly.
8. Supple shoulder sling, ribs, lumbar, SI and hips both longitudinally and laterally.
9. Improve footwork and body control. This is an old Eventing challenge, but has benefits for any horse. It can be adapted and built up into trot, canter or small jumps as the horse becomes educated.
How to;
1. Set up 3 poles approximately 9’ apart (adjust to suit your horse) in a line. I’m using XL poles in the video but you can use regular size, too.
2. Make sure you have plenty of room for a long, straight approach and landing line.
3. Walk the entire line, approach, poles and landing 3x each way. Repeating an exercise 3x allows the horse to understand, anticipate and adapt it’s technique and helps develop confidence and attention span.
Gait Progression;
1. Walk - This distance repeated ask for the horse to use alternating legs in walk to step up and over to challenge coordination. Walking poles increases muscle activity in both the longissimus dorsi (major back muscle group running along the spine) and the abdominal muscles. Ride on a long rein make optimal use of your walk warm up with this low concussion activity that builds skills and suppleness while the horse warms up and prepares itself for more intense exercise.
2. Trot - Requires straight, even, rhythmic steps. Ground poles at the trot increase muscle activity of the abdominal muscles.
3. Trot in canter out - Ask for canter over the 2nd pole so the horse doesn’t have to worry about getting a good distance to the first pole while it gains confidence cantering poles.
4. Canter - Requires lift, control, balance and rhythm. Engages the core, dorsal and ventral myofascial chains for “sit, carry and push”.
5. This exercise goes from easy to advanced very quickly. Choose your gait wisely. The young horse in the video spent several months walking the exercise 2-3x, 1-2x/week gaining strength and confidence before progressing into trot. Many horses and riders will benefit most from this exercise in walk only.
*Caution;
1. Horses can be injured working over poles and there are many contra-indicated conditions so please discuss your plans with your vet before you introduce them to your horse.
2. Use poles that will not be easily moved if knocked. The poles in the video are XL (5”diameter to 8”) which makes them heavy and unlikely to roll if knocked but also require more effort.
3. Use poles with rounded edges which will be more forgiving if the horse knocks them when stepping over.
4. This is an exercise where less is definitely more. Too much or too much, too soon will sap confidence and make the horse sore and unhappy.
Koper Equine, LLC
Equine Massage and Bodywork
Happy, healthy horses.
Simple ways to Improve Straightness, Swing and Bend
• Simple ways to Improve...
The Lateral Core Exercise + Alternative Bonus Method
• The Lateral Core Exerc...
*Ask your Equine Veterinarian if massage might be right for your horse.