This zig-zag exercise is one I observed in California, and I think it challenges several key skills. The main goal is to develop precise control over your track, rhythm, and mental focus — much like when you’re on course. There will be moments of imbalance, but the only response is to realign with your track, regain control of your rhythm, and maintain steady focus at all times!
Set up: down the quarter line or center line, set poles an equal distance apart, or better yet, create a solid line of poles.
Goal: The goal is to cross the line of poles with a change of lead, then make an equal number of strides on each side as you go back and forth.
Initially, with any horse – green or experienced – I prefer not to focus on the number of strides, but rather focus on controlling the line, noticing if my horse pushes to one side more strongly than the other, and if she is willing to change leads more easily one direction over another. With a very green horse I may even start at the trot – or even walk – keeping the same theories in mind, as I will on a more experienced horse at the canter.
Once my horse is comfortable with the poles and the exercise, I will start to count my strides, likely starting with five strides in between. All horses and people have an easier side and a harder side; some horses shift off the ground or lean in, so this a great exercise for trying to even out the left and the right. Classical dressage master Paul Belasik once said to me, “We are trying to present a symmetrical horse, but it won’t be a symmetrical effort.”
Some horses really have a knack for this exercise and you can then start to decrease the number of strides and cross the poles on an increasing angle. I have only ever gotten down to three strides between each pole – but I have seen two strides done!
What you need to focus on is holding the landing line. The horse needs to come between the ‘new’ inside and outside leg, sort of like a funnel. As they bump into the sides of your funnel you can support them in or out as needed, back to the exact line you desire. The line you pick will determine the number of strides better than anything.
Inevitably something will happen to throw you off your line, and therefore your number. This is analogous to what can happen on course. We often have a little blip on course, but the most important part is getting back onto your plan.
In our exercise here, for example, say you miss a change and your line gets too wide and you end up doing one or two extra strides back to the next pole. The most common mistake I see here is that when the rider crosses back over the poles, they again do a wrong number, compensating for their mistake, either too wide a line or too aggressive a stride. The actual fix is to stay calm, remember the planned line that would make the right number of steps and try to get back to that on your next crossing, not hitting the panic button.
We all know that when we miss a change or have a disunited canter, the rider needs to get hyper focused on the rhythm, trying to stay on the true canter to make the line. You don’t automatically add if you miss a change, and you don’t get aggressive and over-make the canter to fix it, either.
This is really just a lesson on consistency and staying in the moment. There are no wrong answers and the consequences for any mistake are low with it only being poles, so it is a great exercise to learn real skills without fear. These can be such valuable learning moments, as we are free to experiment and try to find our way without a big penalty.
