Unmounted Fun With A Horse And A Ground Pole

1)      Lead the horse at a walk over the pole, trying not to ‘tick’ it.
2)      Lead the horse over the pole at a trot.
3)      Lead the horse up to the pole, stopping JUST in front of it… THEN proceed over the pole.
4)      Stop with the 2 front feet over the pole.  Back up without touching the pole.
5)      Stop with all 4 feet over the pole.  Back up without touching the pole.
6)      Side-pass the length of the pole.
7)      Walk the pole lengthwise, left feet on the left side, right feet on the right side.
8)      Halt parallel to the pole – front and hind feet an equal distance from the pole, focus on straightness.
9)      Walk parallel to the pole. When the front feet reach just past the end, do a turn on the forehand around the end and continue.
10)   Walk parallel to the pole. When the hind feet reach just past the end, do a turn on the haunches around the end and continue.

All very simple, but not necessarily EASY – especially if you focus on not ticking the pole, being light in the hand, fluid movement and correct foot placement. (i.e. motion should always contain a ‘forward’ thought: feet cross over in front of one another, not behind, etc)