Why pole work should be in every horses exercise program
Pole work
Pole work, the use of ground and raised poles in a horse’s exercise routine, is a highly effective yet often underutilized tool in equine fitness and rehabilitation programs. Scientific studies have highlighted its numerous benefits, from enhancing muscle activation and core strength to improving joint range of motion (ROM) and limb kinematics. Let's explore the insights from three key studies that demonstrate why pole work should be a staple in every horse's exercise program.
1. Enhanced Core and Epaxial Muscle Engagement
A study titled “The Effect of Ground Poles and Elastic Resistance Bands on Longissimus Dorsi and Rectus Abdominus Muscle Activity During Equine Walk and Trot” (Shaw et al., 2021) examined muscle activation in horses using ground poles and resistance bands. The study found that walking and trotting over ground poles significantly increased the activity of the longissimus dorsi (a major back muscle) and rectus abdominus (a core muscle). When horses walked over poles, there was a notable increase in muscle activation bilaterally in these muscle groups, with specific increases in the rectus abdominus muscles and the right longissimus dorsi muscle. Trotting over poles also significantly increased core muscle activation in the rectus abdominus muscles.
The findings suggest that pole work can be a powerful tool for engaging the core and epaxial muscles, which are essential for maintaining stability, posture, and overall strength in horses. Strong core muscles are crucial for a horse's balance, coordination, and ability to perform athletic movements. Incorporating pole work into a horse's exercise program can thus enhance its overall physical condition and performance.
2. Increased Joint Range of Motion (ROM) Without Vertical Excursion of the Trunk
Another study, titled “Effect of Ground and Raised Poles on Kinematics of the Walk” (Walker et al., 2022), explored the effects of ground poles (GP) and raised poles (RP) on limb kinematics and the range of motion of the poll, withers, and pelvis at a walk. The study found that walking over poles increased limb joint ROM through greater swing phase flexion. Notably, raised poles had a more pronounced effect than ground poles.
Interestingly, this study also showed that while limb joint range of motion increased, there was a reduction in the range of motion of the withers and pelvis over both ground and raised poles. Mediolateral ROM of the tuber coxae (the point of the hip) and sacrum increased over poles, particularly raised poles, indicating more lateral stability and balance.
This finding is crucial for equine rehabilitation programs, as increasing joint ROM without excessive vertical trunk movement reduces the risk of injury. It allows for a more controlled and focused exercise, which can be especially beneficial for horses recovering from injury or those needing to improve flexibility and coordination.
3. Improved Flexor Muscle Activation and Visuomotor Coordination
The study “Swing Phase Kinematics of Horses Trotting Over Poles” (Brown et al., 2014) focused on the kinematics of horses trotting over different pole heights. It found that peak hoof heights of both the fore and hind limbs increased progressively when horses trotted over low and high poles, compared to no poles. This increase in hoof height was achieved through greater joint flexion during the swing phase, rather than by raising the body higher during suspension phases.
The consistent need to raise the limbs to clear the poles effectively activates and strengthens the flexor muscles, which are essential for propulsion and overall movement efficiency. Furthermore, this exercise promotes visuomotor coordination as horses must carefully gauge the placement and height of their limbs to avoid hitting the poles. This aspect is particularly beneficial in rehabilitating horses with neurological conditions, as it encourages them to develop better limb control and body awareness.
Why Every Horse Needs Pole Work
Based on the insights from these studies, incorporating pole work into a horse’s exercise program offers many benefits:
Muscle Activation and Strength: Pole work significantly engages the core, back, and flexor muscles, contributing to a stronger, more balanced horse capable of executing a wider range of movements.
Joint Flexibility and Stability: By increasing joint ROM without compromising stability, pole work helps horses improve flexibility and control, which is vital for both performance and injury prevention.
Neurological Benefits: The visuomotor coordination required during pole work helps improve a horse's spatial awareness and proprioception, making it particularly useful in rehabilitation settings. This is particurly important for jumping or eventing horses.
Adding pole work into your routine
Adding pole work effectively into your horse’s exercise program, take a look at the following:
Begin with Ground Poles: Begin with ground poles spaced appropriately for the horse's gait— 80 - 90 cm apart for walk and 120-140cm for trot (keep an eye on your distances if they need to be altered for your horses stride).
Gradually Introduce Raised Poles: As the horse becomes more comfortable and confident with ground poles, introduce raised poles to further challenge joint flexion and coordination. This should be done gradually to prevent overstressing the joints and muscles, again keeping an eye on your distances now that the poles are raised.
Combine with Elastic Resistance Bands: For advanced conditioning, incorporating elastic resistance bands can provide additional resistance to activate the core muscles even more, as indicated by the increase in rectus abdominus activation observed in Study 1.
Monitor and Adapt: Always monitor the horse's response to pole work. Adjust the height, spacing, and number of repetitions based on the horse's fitness level, age, and any existing conditions.
Conclusion
Pole work is a versatile and highly beneficial exercise that can enhance muscle activation, joint flexibility, coordination, and overall fitness in horses. Supported by scientific evidence, adding in ground and raised poles into your horse's routine can lead to a better-performing equine athlete. Whether for conditioning, performance enhancement, or rehabilitation, pole work deserves a place in every horse’s exercise program.
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References
Brown, S., Stubbs, N.C., Kaiser, L.J., Lavagnino, M. and Clayton, H.M. (2014). Swing phase kinematics of horses trotting over poles. Equine Veterinary Journal, [online] 47(1), pp.107–112. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12253.
Shaw, K., Ursini, T., Levine, D., Richards, J. and Adair, S. (2021). The Effect of Ground Poles and Elastic Resistance Bands on Longissimus Dorsi and Rectus Abdominus Muscle Activity during Equine Walk and Trot. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 107, p.103772. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103772.
Walker, V.A., Tranquillle, C.A., MacKechnie-Guire, R., Spear, J., Newton, R. and Murray, R.C. (2022). Effect of ground and raised poles on kinematics of the walk. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 115, p.104005. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104005.