Questions, complaints or info?  Send it to: info@alpahorse.de

advertisement

 a division of Aglia Limited

Your Internet Information Source for European Warmbloods in  International Showjumping

JIm Geibel, the writer of this column, is a trainer in Belmar, NJ

Other articles:

Using Single Rails         Heels Down

Rider’s Eyes

Using Cavalletti

Cavalletti is a series of poles, set in a line on the ground that horses step over at the walk and trot. Cavalletti exercises are used to increase a horse’s flexibility, strength, and to help teach a rhythmic short stride as well as a lengthened stride. Cavalletti exercises will stabilize the rhythem of the walk and trot.

 A beginner, novice rider will find these exercises helpful in improving balance, strength and rhythm.

 Cavalletti were first introduced to the world in the early 1900’s. Fredrico Caprilli invented the use of cavalletti along with his then revolutionary new riding style, the forward jumping seat.

 The use of cavalletti helps horses learn to shift their balance forwards and back quickly, while remaining relaxed and calm. The horse learns to lower the head by putting their neck forward from the shoulder to see where they are placing their feet.

 This is also called teaching the horse to dive, or showing the horse the ground, to use an old horse master’s phrases. In modern language, we say going long and low. However you say it, it is the beginning of stretching the horse’s topline.

 Cavalletti is used to loosen up, strengthen, and help prepare the horse for cross-country work and dressage. Cavalletti also are invaluable in the preparation of young hunters and jumpers. Bert DeNemathy made a science of cavalletti back in the mid 1950s and has written extensively on the uses of the exercise.

 The extra effort the horse uses in lifting his legs higher over each pole increases the process of strengthening of muscles and tendons, the whole equine body.

 The horse will, when relaxed, concentrate on stepping over the cavalletti poles and will develop better rhythm and a stabilized way of going. The poles will set the length of stride. Remember to custom fit the distances at first to create confidence in your horse.

 Cavalletti can be poles 8-12 ft. long with an x at each end so the pole can be set at several different heights, or regular poles laid on the ground. Interchangeable heights are handy but not mandatory. Poles that are heavy will stay put when hit better than small flimsy poles.

 I prefer to start green horses over a single pole at the walk, on a loose rein, if possible. Only a loose rein gives the horse complete freedom to stretch down toward the poles with the neck and head.

 The rider should stay in a very light crotch seat, so as not to interfere with the horses back at all, remain quiet and ride over the center of the poles.

 If the horse is calm with one pole, at the walk, add the second at about 3-ft. from the first and continue to add as many as six in a row. Don’t add more than seven poles or add them too fast. The sight of a long row of poles can excite some horses. Once the horse is used to doing these exercises you can start with a few in a row without a problem.

 Once the horse is walking calmly over the cavalletti, the trot is next. If your horse is nervous about the poles, you may be better off going directly to the trot and proceed the same as if at the walk.

 The trot exercise goes just like the walk. The trot poles will be set 4 to 5 ft. apart; depending on the stride of your horse.4’6” is a “normal” stride. If you can set the poles at different heights, don’t go much over 10” or you risk the horse jumping the pole instead of stepping over them.

 The loose-rein approach should be used, if possible, to encourage the relaxed topline. As the horse gets relaxed the rider can establish a feel of the horse’s mouth with a straight line from the rider’s elbow to the horse's mouth. The contact will increase as the horse gains strength and confidence.

 The rider must be certain to keep the horse straight and going forward. Stay in the middle of the horse, posting or in a light galloping position.

 Proper impulsion, the energy the horse uses to step over the poles, is another important element of cavalletti exercises. A horse can have a long stride with little impulsion or what is sometimes called “ping” or “bounce". The horse can also go the other way, short stride and too much impulsion. Cavalletti require a happy medium. The benefit of cavalletti exercises is recognizing the differences and learning to change the way the horse is going. Working with little impulsion is sloppy and crooked. Don’t mistake speed for impulsion.

 The rider benefits from doing cavalletti as well as the horse. By using the cavalletti exercises often the rider gains strength, flexibility, timing and the ability to place the horse at the proper takeoff distance to jumps. The repetition of trotting poles gradually develops a rider’s ability to regulate a horse’s stride. Accurate distances to jumps are not unlike proper distances to poles on the ground. With concentration and a good plan the rider will get the feel of getting too close or too big, the feel of a medium distance to a pole, and soon to a small jump.

 Using cavalletti can add some change to your ring routine and help any equine athlete to do the job better. Stay calm, keep it uncomplicated and enjoy your time with your horses.

written by Jim Geibel