BONUS: Pole Bending Horsemanship Principles for Success at Pole Bending and Barrel Racing
We hold the belief that a solid foundation in good horsemanship is crucial for achieving success in pole bending and barrel racing. Those who excel in these events are not anomalies; rather, they exemplify the effectiveness of adhering to set principles. Our philosophy centers around the importance of teamwork, emphasizing the unity of horse and rider. To truly succeed, both the horse and the rider must individually attain mastery of the fundamental principles.
Our preferred technique is to use a zig-zag pattern, similar to a slalom in skiing. This approach is favored because it prompts the horse to follow its nose and position its shoulders and hips away from the poles as it moves through the pattern. On the other hand, the alternative method is the lateral or side-pass, which is not suitable for most horses as it encourages them to move with their shoulders and hips inward, leading to a compromised gait. Moreover, a side-pass also requires more space, approximately 21 feet, and often results in the rider’s knee or horse’s hip knocking over the poles. Therefore, it is advisable to adhere to the zig-zag slalom for optimal results.
Application of the Technique
When looking at the video clip from above, it is evident that the rider’s mental image is a zig-zag pattern, which can also be observed in the overhead view. However, an observer standing at ground level may perceive the pattern as a seamless weave. To ride successfully, the rider must move from one significant point to another, known as key spots. The key spot is indicated by the rider’s knee position being beyond the pole. The widest segment of the pattern occurs at the key spot.
Once the horse crosses the pole line, your objective is to move away from the pole line until you reach the key spot. At any point in the pattern, your goal is to reach the subsequent key spot. It is crucial to aim for crossing the pole line at the midpoint.
When riding horses, it is important to keep in mind that they often have a tendency to anticipate. This means they may be eager to start crossing the line early and to reach the pole line before reaching the midpoint. To manage this, utilize your aids to make them wait until reaching the designated spot, and then guide them in a straight line (avoid forcing them) from that spot, passing through the midpoint, towards the next designated spot, with their head leading the way.
Causes of Downed Poles
1) The lack of respect shown towards the poles is of utmost importance. After conducting countless clinics nationwide, we have come to the realization that this is unequivocally the primary reason for downed poles. In my perspective, the majority of riders handle the poles too casually. What this means is that during practice, they treat a fallen pole as if it holds no significant importance. It appears that they believe they only need to give attention to downed poles during competitions, but by then it is already too late!
Let me explain the concept of pole bending. It is considered the most challenging and complex speed event, resembling precision dressage performed at high speed. It can be seen as a synchronized dance between the rider and horse. The pace of this event is incredibly fast, making barrel racing seem slow in comparison. Although our goal is perfection, it is unrealistic for the rider to maintain perfect positioning throughout the entire course. That is why having a cooperative and understanding horse is crucial. Your horse should be able to compensate for any mistakes you make. Therefore, it is important for your horse to have a deep respect for the poles. We like to imagine that each pole carries an intense charge of 20,000 volts, and any contact with them will result in both the rider and the horse getting shocked. Therefore, you must question whether you have successfully taught your horse to value and respect the poles or if your horse has learned from you that they are not significant. It is crucial to remember that horses are constantly learning. Let me break it down for you: the first downed pole is considered a mistake, the second downed pole is seen as a problem, and the third downed pole becomes a habitual issue.
A lack of direction change is sometimes observed in horses. Some horses resist being guided through bending segments by stiffening their bodies. This resistance often leads to the horse running too straight and too close to the pole line, resulting in the rider’s knee knocking down the pole. To address this issue, the horse should be ridden to each key spot and reminded to flex his body, not just his head and neck, to the left and right. When a horse is on an arc, his spine should be curved to match the arc, although few horses do this perfectly. Just like humans, horses are either right-handed or left-handed. Most horses are okay when turning to the right, but their rib section is stiff when turning to the left (although a few are the opposite!). These horses need to be suppled. To achieve the desired flexion to match the shape of the circle, the horses must move their ribs off the rider’s inside leg. We encourage this flexion by shaping our own body to the left or right and using our body to look in the direction we are going, as if we had eyes in the front of our shoulders.
Improper patterning occurs when horses attempt to learn to run poles at speed without first practicing slow work at the walk and trot. It is important to remember that slow work is essential for horses to determine where to place their feet. When a horse is running and leaning while passing a pole, they require additional space, so it is crucial to allow more room during slow work. A suitable distance to keep between your knee and the poles when trotting the pattern would be approximately 3 or 4 feet. Additionally, ensure that the horse’s shoulder is slightly out, aim for the key spot, cross at the mid-point, and ask for a slight outward movement of the hip.
When it comes to improper flexion, remember to think “Shoulder Out!” A horse should be flexed in the direction they are going. In pole bending, the changes in direction are very minimal, almost straight, during a fast run. This is acceptable. What doesn’t work is when the horse’s body is flexed backwards to the arc they are traveling on, known as inverted flexion.
The horse becomes inverted when the rider tries to use a direct outside rein to prevent the horse from touching the pole. Unfortunately, this approach is ineffective as it causes the horse to push its shoulder into the turn, thus affecting its balance and position. Additionally, it should be noted that this technique is not effective for barrel racing either. To rectify this issue, it is necessary to utilize the inside aids, namely the inside leg and inside rein, to properly guide and control the horse.
A horse that lacks suppleness is another reason for inverted flexion. In such cases, the horse’s stiffness on one side results in a limited ability to flex in only one direction. While running, a horse with this issue may feel as though it is passing a pole correctly on one side, but on the other side, it feels like it is falling behind the line of the pole.
5) Absence of control. It is necessary for you to establish your key positions. The horse will establish a two-strided rhythm that ideally will guide him between the key positions, but the rider must prioritize the key positions and override the rhythm if the two principles become unsynchronized. You must have the capability to position your horse at every key spot!
Here is a step-by-step exercise that helps with control, done at slower gaits such as trot or lope. The goal is to be able to move the horse diagonally out of the pattern, a technique called “lateral marching,” whenever we want. This is achieved by shaping the horse for a pole passing stride, maintaining the right shape, and moving the horse forward and to the left on a diagonal line. We should be able to do this at any pole without disrupting the horse’s or rider’s position. The position for this move is similar to a “head-out” dressage move down the fence, using inside aids such as the inside leg and inside rein. When performed correctly, there should be no change in the shape of the horse or rider, and no noticeable movement of the hands. The purpose of this exercise is to prevent the horse from diving in early at the pole. It allows us to hold the horse if it hasn’t reached the key spot beside the pole yet. This exercise, when used occasionally, helps the horse remain honest and allows the rider to develop finesse with the reins.
The improper execution of a turn sets up the bending segment. The horse must complete the turn at the specific spot right next to the turning pole, with its body directed towards the next pole. The horse must then pass the next pole in three strides – the first stride being a powerful start as it departs, followed by a longer stride, and finally a full stride. This progression must take the horse all the way to the next crucial spot, where the rider’s knee is past the pole and the horse’s off-lead leg lands past the pole. If the rider turns the pole too much, which is a very common mistake, the horse will not reach that extremely important next spot.
A common issue that often occurs at the beginning is when the rider is unprepared while the horse is ready. The rider’s lack of readiness is sensed by the horse, causing a slight hesitation as the horse waits for the rider to catch up. As a consequence, the horse’s stride is shortened, resulting in the failure to reach the important point once more.
Another issue arises when the rider fails to hit the predetermined spot for the turn and proceeds to pass the end pole, either turning too far behind it or too wide. This, once again, leads to a disrupted stride pattern and the rider missing an important mark at the following pole.
The ‘Look’
The principle is that looking is not just about the eyes and the head, but it involves the entire body. You should look as if your eyes were located in your shoulders. By shaping your body in this way, several things happen: firstly, your shoulders rotate towards the direction of the turn. Secondly, your hands follow your shoulders and are positioned in the most effective way to control the horse. Thirdly, your weight shifts onto your seat bones, causing them to move in the saddle in a way that the horse can feel. Additionally, pay attention to your legs – your inside leg becomes active at the cinch, requesting flexion, while your outside leg is in an optimal position for maintaining control over the hindquarters. A diagonal is created towards the inside of the turn, allowing energy to flow in that direction, which is exactly where you want it.
Teaching our young horses to follow the look and consistently applying it is what we do. Give it a try with your horse and you may be surprised at how quickly they will grasp it.
Avoid the ‘Santa Claus’ Run Down
What exactly is the Santa Claus run down? It can be identified by its distinctive sound of “Ho!, Ho!, Ho!”, often accompanied by the horse’s mouth being pulled three times in succession. Each time the horse slows down and stops, it not only loses energy and speed but also wastes time. How much time, you may wonder? Well, by analyzing videos, it becomes evident that a conservative run down and run home can easily result in wasting over half a second.
To ensure the horse responds to your cues, teach them to follow your body position. Begin by riding towards or near the fifth pole and assume a seated position. Guide the horse in the desired direction by adjusting your own body posture. If necessary, use a single ‘whoa’ to slow down. Any excessive pressure on the horse’s mouth that results in a change in head position is excessive. Use your videos to monitor and evaluate this. Aim to efficiently utilize all your energy, directing the horse into, around, and out of the turn. By conserving energy for the exit, you will benefit from the momentum carried throughout the turn.
