TRAINING YOUR HORSE WITH CAVALETTI WORK

Riding a horse is something we love to do. But to ensure the horse can carry us properly, it’s important to train it in a way that builds the right muscles and reduces the risk of injury. One great way to train your horse in a dressage-oriented manner is through cavaletti work. It’s a fun method for strengthening the horse’s hindquarters. Additionally, it helps improve coordination, balance, and proprioception—meaning the horse becomes more aware of where its legs are without having to look. Varying your dressage training also provides mental stimulation, helping to keep your horse mentally fresh and focused.

Cavaletti work involves placing poles at a low height so your horse has to lift its legs higher to step over them. This can be done at the walk, trot, or canter—though trot is most commonly used. It’s a valuable part of training for both beginner and advanced riders.

Different Options Available

There are various ways to do cavaletti work. By using a cavaletti block you can easily lay out multiple poles in a row to create a track for your horse to step over. A major advantage of using a cavaletti block instead of a standard jump stand is that you can also do this type of training while lunging your horse, without the obstruction of taller equipment.

A cavaletti block can be used in several ways. You can insert the pole into the block for a low-height setup. By rotating the block or placing it on its side, you can vary the height. Placing a pole on top of the block allows you to introduce a small jump. At Nedlandic, we offer cavaletti blocks in three different height options. The cavaletti block large and maxi even allow for a jump at the highest setting. This way, you can start your training with simple ground poles and end with a low jump.

Our cavaletti blocks come in cheerful colors, making your training visually engaging as well.

Get Creative with Poles

The most well-known method of cavaletti training is trotting over poles in a straight line—but there are many more ways to work with cavaletti. Try changing the height by placing one end of a pole on a block and the other end on the ground. You can also lay out different patterns, such as a square, which allows you to approach the obstacle from all four sides.

Another idea is to place the poles in a circle and practice riding voltes (circles). Or set up two cavaletti blocks with a pole in between, and ride figure-eights around them to work on your horse’s bending and flexibility.

With a little creativity, there are endless possibilities—and you can get the most out of your training sessions.