Horses, Training

What is the importance / benefits of doing work with cavaletti as a jumper?

by Laura

Why should we use cavaletti?

Let’s break that down.

Cavaletti are small jumps set up at certain distances to help develop your horse’s way of going. So we should use cavaletti to help our horse devlop strength and suppleness.

Using Cavaletti Can Improve Your Horse’s Form Over Fences

For the horse

  1. It a strengthen and suppleness exercise.
    Generally speaking the horse develops in 2 ways,
    The PUSHING/running muscles – think of thoroughbred race horses that run fast and flat.
    And
    The holding muscle – those that propel the horse forward but upward. Think of those times when your horse is spooked and doing that “floaty” suspended trot.
    Cavaletti help develop and strengthen both of those muscles.

The horse has to push upward and also forward. 

How to use cavaletti in a straight line, cavaletti set up, how to set up cavaletti, Laura Kelland-May, Horse training exercises

Cavaletti also TARGET the muscle and joints the horse needs for jumping.
The horse has to flex and use the muscles it needs to jump
For example their shoulders have to raise up, their elbows and knees, and fetlocks
Hips, stifles hocks and fetlocks in the back.

  1. It’s an agility exercise. And Educate the horse’s eye
    The horse has to think of where to place their hooves. Proprioception.  – Proprioception refers to the body’s ability to perceive its own position in space. For example, proprioception enables a person to close their eyes and touch their nose with their index finger.
    [Question] – Krystal – have you ridden a horse through a set a poles for the first time?

Related resource: – Using Cavaletti
Anyone who has sat on a young horse their first time through a set of trotting poles can relate. They have to think of where they are putting their ‘feet’.

  1. It’s a suppleness exercise
    The horse has to flex the joints they need for jumping.
  2. It’s fun and builds confidence.
    Lifts the boredom from endless circles around the arena.

For the Rider

For the rider they are a great tool for development of your coordination, your eye and your security in the saddle.

  1. You are able to feel the horse better understanding the movement of the horse. As the horse steps over the poles the rider will feel the horse as it moves.
  2. Strengthen your riding and balance– when the horse steps over cavaletti it accentuates the horses movements which in turn allows the riders to feel the horse but also practice their correct riding position.
  3. Helps develop the riders eye for a distance.
  4. It’s fun and builds confidence in the rider.

Related Resources: Best Cavaletti Exercises

Breaks up those arena blahs… going around and around,

Spice up your arena program, use cavelitti.