Pole Exercises!! Raised Fan Poles

With this series, I hope to give you something fun to try with your horse, while also helping you understand exactly how these exercises benefit them physically.

(Make sure you do your warm-up and cool-down routines!!)

Raised Fan Poles

Purpose: Improve stride awereness, symmertry and body control.

This exercise is a powerhouse for developing full-body symmetry. By challenging the horse to shift between their extensor and flexor muscle chains, it builds strength in the thoracic sling, stabilises the pelvis, and conditions the stifle.

Don't be surprised if things get a little clunky at first—tripping or knocking poles is common until the horse’s proprioception (body awareness) catches up. While it looks simple, this routine is deceptively demanding and significantly improves stride awareness and motor control.

Key Points:

Key Targets: Thoracic sling, stifles, and pelvic stability.

Focus: Core switching and limb coordination.

Versatility: Effective both in-hand or under saddle.

Whether you are working from the ground or in the saddle, the goal is to help the horse adjust their stride length while maintaining a consistent lateral bend.

1. Set-Up: With the inside edge of the poles raised to a height of 12–16 inches, set up four to six poles in a fan shape. Space the raised inside ends approximately 1 foot apart and the wider ends 4 ½ feet apart.

2. The Collection Phase: Begin by travelling around the narrow, raised end of the poles at a walk. Ask your horse to take just a single step between each pole.

   1. Under saddle: Use your seat to steady the tempo.

   2. In-hand: Shorten your own stride to guide them.

3. Maintain Bend: Ensure a clear bend to the inside.

   1. Under saddle: Apply light pressure with your inside leg;

   2. In-hand: Ensure the horse is yielding their ribcage away from you and staying soft in the halter or bridle.

4. The Extension Phase: Circle around to cross the poles again, but now move over to the wider end of the fan.

5. Expand the Stride: Ask for two steps between each set of poles. Really encourage your horse to extend their stride and reach forward as you cross this end, all while maintaining that inside bend.

6. The Transition: Circle around again, returning to the raised, narrow end. Adjust the horse's balance back to get just a single step between each pole.

7. Symmetry & Control: Continue circling, alternating between the narrow and wide ends. This constant shifting between a "collected" single step and an "extended" double step builds incredible awareness and pelvic stability.

Here is a checklist of fatigue signs to watch for during pole work:

We want to stop as soon as we see any of these signs and go into your cool-down routine:

Physical Signs

• "Clinking" or Tripping: Regularly hitting poles they previously cleared.

• Dragging Toes: Hind legs trailing or scuffing the ground instead of stepping under.

• Hollowing: Dropping the back and lifting the head to avoid core engagement.

• Loss of "Snap": Movement becomes heavy and flat rather than springy.

Movement & Balance

• Rushing: Speeding up to use momentum instead of muscle strength.

• Leaning: Becoming heavy in your hand or on the bit for balance.

• Drifting: Bulging the shoulder or falling in to avoid the effort of the bend

  
  

Vital Signs

• Laboured Breathing: Heavy breathing that doesn't settle quickly.

• Nostril Flaring: Excessive flaring even during walk breaks.

Rule of thumb: If the quality of the movement drops, the horse is likely tired. It's better to end on one "clean" pass than to push for more.