The German Training Scale 2

Posted by Thathorse Admin on 01 Sep, 2010 Posted in Performance Horses, Jumps, Riding Tutorials

Cavalettis and Pole Work

The training scale is made up of six blocks, which interact with each other. Each word describes a stage in your horse's training and each step can't be achieved without completing the previous one. The German word describes each stage more in depth but the English translation is as good as it gets. Each step should be revisited in ongoing training as they also describe the process of warming up or preparation.

In the last issue, we featured the first three steps of the German Training Scale and exercises to help achieve them. Using poles, grids and cavalettis also helps your horse find rhythm and balance, which leads to relaxation and contact. It is also a fun way for the horse to stay focused and motivated in the arena.

Make sure your horse is relaxed and rhythmic in a stretched balanced outline. The poll should be at height of the wither, with a slightly rounded neck and back. The horse should accept the bit lightly and actively step forward from behind. If that is not the case, repeat the exercises from the last issue to get your horse loosened up and listening. The choice of which seat to have is yours, although it is recommended to either do a sitting trot or a two point position with your bum lightly resting in the saddle. Either of these will allow for more rhythm and stability.

Exercises to do:

Set the poles at a short distance to encourage shortening and collection of the stride. Have the poles set long to encourage lengthening of the stride. Put two sets of three poles on either side of the arena so your horse has to stretch and collect repeatedly.
Place seven poles on one side of a circle and ride the centre of the poles in a working trot, whereas the inside asks for collection and the outside for extension. Repeat this exercise on both reins and flex your horse in the direction you are going, combining the pole exercise with the one from the last issue.
Teach your horse an accurate round circle by placing poles at each quarter mark of the circle It helps your horse to focus as he will have to concentrate on the poles coming up - a great way to keep youngsters balanced and entertained!
Use poles for serpentines on the centre line to mark the exact point of changing direction. It will make you ride more precisely and will help your horse to concentrate.

When practising simple lead changes in canter, put two poles on X like a gateway facing from E to B. Start, for example, with a left hand canter and when cantering through the "gate", ask your horse to trot, flex it to the right and start a new circle in right hand canter. This is also the first step towards flying changes and increases balance, obedience and suppleness during a canter.

Remember to check your seat frequently or ask someone to correct you. Also, do not ask for jumps over 20 or 30 cms as those exercises are only meant to make your horse more balanced and rhythmic. Don't look down onto the poles as this will cause your weight to shift forward and hinders the horse in using his shoulder - always focus on something up and ahead. Some horses are experts in pole soccer and keep banging the poles no matter what you do. For those specialists, raise the poles to cavaletti height and place them in different distances. This will make your horse concentrate more and you can practice your "stop and go". Half halt between the small distances and speed up in the longer ones.

Do these exercises in all three gaits but allow your horse a walk break on a long rein in between.

Pole Distances

An average sized horse will make a 3.65m stride and you need to allow 1.9m for takeoff and landing when jumping. The sizes below are for an average horse and you might have to adjust the poles according to your horse's stride length. The surest way to determine your horse's stride length is to smooth out one side of the arena completely and canter over it. You can determine from the hoof prints; using a measure tape, how long your horse's stride is.