Product Review: Pole Work For Dressage Riders
Sometimes working in the dressage ring can start to feel… a bit monotonous. Circles, half circles, laterally left, right… you get my drift. Luckily for us, author Ann Katrin Querbach has a new book that aims to build concentration, coordination, and strength in the horse with a series of pole work exercises tailored just for dressage riders.
Even if jumping isn’t your thing, there are exercises in pole work that can benefit any horse, no matter their fitness or riding level. “Pole Work for Dressage Riders” concisely explains the benefits of pole work for horses and expertly describes exercises that are easily replicated at home. Each exercise is tailored to aid in a number of training themes – from rhythm and tempo to creating forwardness, straightness, ease of transitions, collection and lengthening, building the abs and hind end, and more.
Ann answers questions like, “Why is trotting over poles good for horses?” and offers solutions to common problems like losing rhythm over poles or lifting the forehand instead of the chest. Some exercises can be done on a lunge line while others are meant for under saddle work. There are exercises tailored for the walk, trot and canter.
Maybe you’ve heard of the author before – Ann Katrin Querbach also published “50 Best Arena Exercises and Patterns.” “Pole Work for Dressage Riders” is a great read for any rider looking to add new training tools to their personal kits. All the exercises can be performed at home in a field or an arena. Interested in a copy for yourself? “Pole Work for Dressage Riders” is available at horseandriderbooks.com.