12/10/2025
GROUND POLES
A recent study from the University of Tennessee has provided clear evidence of something trainers and recovery practitioners have long observed:
ground poles significantly increase muscle activation in key postural and core muscles.
What the Study Found
1. Walking over ground poles increases activity in:
• Longissimus dorsi (the major spinal extensor and topline muscle)
• Abdominal muscles (critical for core stability and back support)
This means that even at the walk, poles ask the horse to lift the limbs higher, stabilize the trunk, and coordinate posture more actively.
2. Trotting over ground poles increases activity in:
• Abdominal muscles
Trotting requires more dynamic stabilization, and the increased limb elevation over poles demands stronger engagement of the horse’s core to control the back and pelvis.
What This Means for Training and Rehab
These findings confirm what many practitioners have recommended for years:
Cavaletti and ground poles are one of the most effective, low-impact ways to:
• Strengthen the topline
• Activate and tone the abdominal muscles
• Improve back stability
• Enhance proprioception and coordination
• Encourage better posture and self-carriage
Because poles promote both spinal extensor activation (longissimus) and ventral line activation (abdominals), they help balance the horse’s musculoskeletal system — a key element in developing a healthy, strong, functional topline.
Why This Matters for Every Horse
Regular use of poles can help:
• Young horses develop correct movement patterns
• Performance horses maintain strength and prevent injury
• Horses in rehabilitation rebuild core control
• Older horses stay mobile and symmetrical
Best of all, the benefits occur even at the walk, making this exercise accessible for horses of all ages and fitness levels.
Maximizing Your Horse’s Warm-Up: Enhancing Mobility and Skills with Right Angle Poles - Koper
