Setting up poles for walk, trot, and canter using human strides is a great way to create a customized training course for your horse. Here’s how to do it:
- Measure your stride length. To measure your stride length, walk or jog in a straight line, and mark the ground where your feet land with small cones or markers. Measure the distance between the two markers to determine your stride length.
- Determine the desired distance between poles. For walk and trot, a good rule of thumb is to place the poles at a distance equal to two of your stride lengths apart. For canter, you can increase the distance to three of your stride lengths.
- Set up the poles. Once you have determined the desired distance between the poles, you can begin setting them up. Start by placing the first pole on the ground, and then measure out the desired distance to the second pole. Continue setting up the poles in this way until you have completed the course.
- Practice with your horse. Once you have set up the poles, it’s time to practice with your horse. Start at the walk and gradually increase the speed as you and your horse become more comfortable with the course. Be sure to use your body language and verbal cues to communicate with your horse and guide them over the poles.
By setting up poles for walk, trot, and canter using your own stride length, you can create a training course that is tailored to your horse’s individual needs and abilities. This can help to improve their balance, coordination, and overall performance.