Engagement through pole-work with Alex Hua Tian

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Chinese event rider Alex Hua Tian, made his Olympic debut in Beijing, age 18. Working at home with Irish Fiddle (who has recently returned from a year off) Alex explains he's naturally a lazy horse who is long in the back and stiff. As a result, Fiddle finds it difficult to engage on the flat and is not keen on his dressage, though he is a superb jumper. Alex says it's better to find an exercise that which will achieve collection, engagement and softness than get into conflict. So he begins with a line of poles set at one stride and progresses to poles on a circle. Alex finishes with raised poles on a circle, while Fiddle is soft and happy in his work!

Comments

Pud 7 May 2010 Great video. I have this exact problem with my youngster, who just finds it soOOOOOO difficult to engage in the canter and becomes very resistant. He was getting better, but since I have started asking for more engagement in the trot, the canter has regressed! I think in anticipation of what I might start to ask in the canter! Unfortunately this has now affected his jumping as the canter just isn't there. I will try this and hopefully it will help! Thanks Alex.

csharrocks 6 May 2010 Great video Alex, but a quick question - do you have any advice for a horse that tries to jump raised poles? My horse is very enthusiastic about jumping and even if I raise the poles just slightly he always tries jumping them.

thehorseloader 14 Feb 2010 Really interesting training clip.

Alex Hua Tian 13 Feb 2010 Thanks for the encouragement! I always have a standard distance of 3 yards between each pole but obviously this depends on the stride of your horse. On the circle, centre to centre of each pole needs to be the same standard but you can make the inside as tight and the outside as long as you want.

rush60 10 Feb 2010 Great video. I have been using this technique on the longeline also. I mostly have been trotting over the poles. Also since it is horrible outside and I do not have an indoor I put poles in my barn aisle and just lead the horses over them.