Training Your Horse - Using Trot Rails

 Using trot rails to spice up your riding routine is easy.  The rails don't have to be painted or fancy but they should be placed correctly to get the maximum training benefit.

Safety  -

• Round rails roll  if a horse steps on them so using square rails is safer.  Sometimes people use planks but often the horse stops respecting them and just starts to step on them and they should be avoided.  The lowest level of a caveletti is another good option. Round rails are the norm but they do move when they get hit. If possible find some squared rails or use caveletti.

Distances between poles

• Depending on the horse's size, level of training and level of training of the rider and what you  are trying to accomplish depends on where you place the poles.  Ponies have shorter strides so the distances should be adjusted for ponies.  For larger horses the distances between the poles should be greater to allow for the longer stride length.  You would not expect the ponies and large horses to have the same stride length.  Sample distances For the: Walk - place poles at 3 feet apart. Trot - place poles at 4 to 4 1/2 feet apart. Canter - place poles at 9 feet apart.
• Placing random poles is a good way to vary your routine. Place poles at various locations around your riding area and practice trotting and cantering over the middle of each pole. If you want to place poles in a row they should be placed at a certain distances.

***HINT - I use 9 feet between  each poles.  This  way I can walk, trot and canter through them without have to dismount and move the poles.  Remember 3 for walk, so I ride 3 walk steps, 2 trot steps and 1 canter step between each 9 foot rail!

*** HINT - The horse should step inbetween the middle of each pole.  If the hoof print is not in the middle the distance is not correct.