11/01/2025
POLE WORK EXERCISES: The hand-mirror
Use as long poles as you have, a minimum of 3m.
Practice in a gait suitable for your horse's size and level of collection/balance.
A: Ride a circle over the three poles. Focus on a slow, steady, and balanced pace and to make the circle as even as possible. The "trick" here is to keep the horse rounded on the inside, bent around your inner leg.
B: Ride straight over the pole and over the corner. This route challenges you to keep your horse straight and to place him exactly where you planned. When this works, try the other way and ride straight over the corner and then the pole. That direction is a bit trickier.
C: This is a nice one to practice in canter if the distance between the poles matches your horse's stride length. Ride in a short collected canter or a working canter.
(You'll, of course, need to ride a bigger loop than illustrated.)
You can also ride the route in a walk or trot.
💛🧡© Lina Zachanox
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