Building Stronger Horses

step at a time lead him forward with the pole under his midline.
Stop when he is fully straddling the pole and give him a pause to settle in that position
Now ask him to take one step backwards continuing to straddle the pole. Then bring him one step forward again.
Continue this motion of stepping him backwards and forwards while straddling the pole.
Rather than using inertia by traveling straight across a horse needs more joint control when crossing poles at a diagonal angle. In this exercise poles can either be flat on the ground or raised to a height of four inches. It can be performed ridden or from the ground.
Place four to six poles as shown spaced for walking 2 5 to 3 feet apart.
Walk your horse in a diagonal angle across the poles.
Maintain a lively tempo your horse should take just one step between each pole not
Quick changes of direction combined with lateral spinal flexion to recruit the abdominals helps increase sidetoside balance or symmetry in the horses movement. The steady rhythm of this exercise along with the frequent postural adjustments provides constant stimulus to the horses balance and coordination. Practiced consistently this motor control becomes a habit.
Place two 10 to 12foot poles spaced 3 feet apart and raised to a height of eight inches.
Ride your horse in a marching walk making a figureofeight as shown.
Concentrate on bending your horses body around the ends of your figureofeight.
Be sure to cross over the poles at a diagonal angle as shown. Many horses will try to shift their bodies to walk straight across the poles. Be very exact with your geometry.
The action of pulling his scapula deliberately backwards counteracts the horses natural tendency which is to fall forward with his weight on this front legs. For that reason this exercise provides novelty and stimulus to the horses deep shoulder muscles that are otherwise often locked in unhelpful patterns of movement. You can do this exercise from the saddle or from the ground although I always introduce it first from the ground to ensure correctly relaxed movement.
Most horses initially step on top of the pole when backing over it. This resolves within a few repetitions so stick with the exercise even if it gets a little disorganized at first. Remember disorganization is often a result of novel stimulus that leads to positive changes.
Place a single pole on the ground.
Stand your horse perpendicular to
the pole as though you are going to walk across it.
Ask the horse to step just his front feet across the pole then pause. The pole will be under his belly at this point.
Now ask him to step backwards with both front feet back across the pole.
Again ask just for his front feet to step over the pole and then pause briefly. Repeat this sequence walking just the front feet back and forth over the pole