Good polework starts with the basics: rhythm, straightness, balance and clear responses to your aids. These exercises use relatively simple layouts to help you establish those foundations before adding more complicated turns, shapes or jumping questions.
From straightforward parallel poles and channels to related distances and exercises that ask you to adjust the stride, this section gives you plenty of ways to make simple polework more purposeful. The layouts can be adapted to suit different horses and levels, so start with the easiest route and add difficulty only when your horse is working calmly and confidently.
The aim is not simply to get from one end of the poles to the other. Use each exercise to notice the quality of the rhythm, how straight your horse stays and how easily you can make small adjustments without losing balance.
Setting up your poles?
Pole and gridwork distances should always be adjusted to suit the horse and the exercise. See our Pole & Gridwork Distance Guide for suggested starting measurements and advice on adjusting them for your horse.
THE T
Three poles are all you need for this neat little formation. The T is brilliant for sharpening your horse’s reactions to the leg, improving balance and encouraging them to place their feet with care. Begin in trot and allow plenty of room at the open end of the T. As your horse becomes more balanced, you can work through it in canter too; simply widen the exit if they need more space.
THE DISPLACED ONES
Offsetting the poles asks your horse to think more carefully about every step. Set the distances a little shorter than normal and ride quietly through, allowing your horse time to organise their feet. This is a lovely place to introduce gentle lateral work, such as leg-yielding across the poles. Take it slowly and keep the line clear so your horse never feels hurried or catches a pole.
THE H
The H uses nine poles and offers endless routes. You can ride it much like the T, or use the offset lines to ask for more careful footwork. Try travelling diagonally from one corner to the opposite corner, or ride a soft zig-zag through the shape to improve balance, responsiveness to the leg and weight aids, and straightness between the turns. Experiment with the lines that suit your horse best.
PARALLEL POLES
Parallel poles are a simple, useful staple: place several poles in a straight line so your horse steps over one with each stride. As a starting point, allow roughly 0.75 m (2 ft 6 in) for walk, 1.3 m (4 ft) for trot and 2.7–3.3 m (9–11 ft) for canter. Adjust for your individual horse.
The line encourages your horse to lift through their body, use their joints well and develop strength, rhythm and reach. Once the basic line is easy, use it to practise transitions before and after the poles. You can also alter the trot spacing to invite a shorter, more collected step or a longer, more expressive one. A useful guide is around 1.1 m (3 ft 6 in) for collected trot and 1.5 m (5 ft) for extended trot.
RAILROAD TRACKS
Railroad tracks are two parallel poles wide enough for your horse to travel between them in a straight line. Around 1.2 m (4 ft) is a useful starting width for most horses. They are excellent for checking that both of you are truly straight in walk, trot and canter, and they can also make rein-back clearer and more accurate. Narrow the channel gradually as your control improves.
THE DIAGONALS
Simple to set out and full of possibilities, the diagonals are a useful way to develop accuracy, direction and control. Use them for straight lines, changes of rein and careful approaches to the poles. The key is to choose your line early and ride it quietly from start to finish.
THE RELATED DISTANCE
This easy set-up is ideal for exploring the adjustability of your horse’s stride, particularly in canter. Ride the line with a quiet, consistent rhythm and notice whether you can lengthen or shorten without losing balance. Keep the question simple at first, then vary the approach only once your horse is waiting and listening.
THE RELATED DISTANCE CIRCLE
This exercise is especially helpful for horses that rush between fences or get ahead of themselves. The circular line encourages balance, patience and a more consistent rhythm. Keep the canter organised around the curve and resist the temptation to chase to the next fence.
Want to keep these exercises handy?
Download the complete NEIGHKED Pole Exercises Guide with all five exercise sections, layout diagrams and pole & gridwork distance guidance — ideal for saving to your phone or taking to the yard.