Ah, cavalettis. I have a few very specific memories of them. The first time I used them, my trainer had me trot over poles and then added a cavaletti under alternating sides of the poles, encouraging the thoroughbred cross I was riding to bounce over them gently while I held the two point position. It was the first time I did anything remotely like jumping, I remember having the biggest smile on my face and thinking it was the best feeling ever.
And then I was going over cavalettis the first time I ever fell off. It was the same horse, an absolute gentleman of a gelding. But I had put the poles and cavalettis a little too close together, so he leaped over two of them at once instead of taking a stride in between. I wasn’t expecting it, so I slid off, falling squarely on my butt.
Anyway, cavalettis are a helpful training tool and if you don’t yet have your own stories with them, it’s likely you at some point will over the course of your equestrian journey!
What are Cavalettis?
Cavalettis are a type of training equipment used in horseback riding. They consist of a series of small jumps or obstacles that are placed on the ground in a line or pattern. They are typically made of wood or plastic and come in various sizes and heights.
Why Should Horses and Riders Use Cavalettis?
The main reason to incorporate cavalettis into your arena work is to improve your horse’s balance, coordination, and overall fitness. By riding over cavalettis, your horse must engage its core muscles and lift its legs higher than it would when just walking or trotting on level ground. This helps to strengthen its muscles and improve its overall fitness. Additionally, cavalettis can also be used to improve your horse’s overall flexibility, as well as to help improve its jumping technique and form.
Cavalettis can also help you as a rider to improve your balance, seat, and strength, as well as your horse’s responsiveness to your cues. It is a very versatile tool to improve many aspects of riding and horse training. Furthermore, cavalettis can be used in many different ways, such as in patterns, sequences, and combinations with other obstacles, which can make training more interesting and challenging for both horse and rider.
A History of Cavalettis
Cavalettis were invented by Frederico Caprilli. They originate from the Italian word cavaletto, which means little horse. The most traditional form of a cavaletti is a wooden pole secured to a wooden X at both its ends. The Xs can be rotated to create jumps or obstacles of different heights. Today you can also find them in the form of plastic rectangular blocks.
Example Exercises for Your Horse with Cavalettis
Here are a few exercises you can do with cavalettis and poles to improve your horse riding:
Trotting over cavalettis: Set up cavalettis at a trotting distance apart and ride your horse over them, focusing on maintaining a steady rhythm and keeping your horse’s balance.
Serpentines: Set up poles in a zig-zag pattern and ride your horse through them, making sure to turn sharply and maintain control of your horse’s direction.
Shoulder-in and haunches-in: Set up poles in a line and ride your horse along them, performing shoulder-in and haunches-in movements as you go. These exercises help to improve your horse’s flexibility and balance.
Ground poles: Set up poles on the ground and ride your horse over them, focusing on maintaining a steady pace and keeping your horse’s balance.
Pole weaving: Set up poles in a line and ride your horse between them, weaving in and out. This exercise helps to improve your horse’s agility and responsiveness to your cues.
When performing these exercises, it’s important to start at a slow speed and gradually increase the speed and difficulty as your horse becomes more comfortable and confident. Also make sure to vary the exercises and don’t overdo it, as your horse may get bored with repetitive exercises.
Always make sure to keep safety in mind, and never push your horse beyond its mental and physical limits.
How to Introduce Your Horse to Cavalettis
When using cavalettis while riding, it is important to start with basic exercises and gradually increase the difficulty as your horse becomes more comfortable and confident. It is also important to maintain proper form and control of your horse at all times.
Here are a few tips on how to use cavalettis when riding:
Begin by setting up the cavalettis at a comfortable distance apart, starting with a low height. This will help your horse to become accustomed to the obstacle and build its confidence.
Start by walking over the cavalettis, focusing on maintaining a steady pace and keeping your horse’s balance. As your horse becomes more comfortable, you can gradually increase the speed to a trot.
When your horse is comfortable trotting over the cavalettis, you can begin to incorporate turns and changes of direction. This will help to improve your horse’s agility and responsiveness to your cues.
As your horse becomes more experienced with cavalettis, you can begin to increase the height and difficulty of the obstacles. This will help to further improve your horse’s balance, coordination, and overall fitness.
It’s important to note that cavalettis can be used in many different ways, such as in patterns, sequences, and combinations with other obstacles, which can make training more interesting and challenging for both horse and rider.
It’s always a good idea to consult with a professional instructor if you’re new to using cavalettis, to ensure that you are using them correctly and safely.
Precautions to Take When Using Cavalettis
First and foremost, it’s important to ensure that the cavalettis are set up securely and are not likely to move or tip over during use. This can be dangerous for the horse and rider.
It’s also important to start with low cavaletti and gradually increase the height as the horse becomes more confident and skilled. Jumping over cavalettis that are too high can be overwhelming for the horse and cause them to become uneasy or hesitant.
Another important factor to consider is the surface on which the cavalettis are set up. It’s best to avoid uneven or slippery surfaces, as these can be dangerous for the horse and rider.
Another factor to consider is the horse’s fitness level, if the horse is not physically prepared for jumping, it can cause injury.
It’s also important to be aware of the horse’s individual jumping ability and adjust the height of the cavalettis accordingly. A horse with a longer stride will be able to jump over higher cavalettis than a horse with a shorter stride.
Additionally, it’s always best to work with a professional trainer or instructor when working with cavalettis for the first time, especially if you’re working with a young or inexperienced horse. They can help you determine the appropriate height for your horse and guide you through the process of adjusting the cavalettis as the horse’s skill level improves, and help you spot and prevent potential risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you set up cavalettis for a horse to jump over?
To set up cavalettis for a horse to jump over, you will need a set of cavaletti poles and a level, open space. Start by selecting a location that is flat and free of obstacles, such as rocks or holes. After the poles are in place, you can adjust the height of the poles by placing wooden blocks or other materials under the poles, if necessary.
How do you adjust the height of the cavalettis for different skill levels of horses?
For beginners or less experienced horses, the cavalettis should be set at a lower height, typically around 6 inches. As the horse becomes more confident and skilled, the height can be gradually increased.
It’s important to note that the increase in height should be gradual and not too fast, as this can be overwhelming for the horse and cause them to become uneasy or hesitant.
How often should cavalettis be used in a horse’s training routine?
The frequency of using cavalettis in a horse’s training routine will depend on the individual horse’s skill level and fitness level.
For beginners or less experienced horses, it’s generally recommended to start with shorter sessions, such as once a week, and gradually increase the frequency as the horse becomes more confident and skilled.
It’s also important to consider the horse’s overall training program, and how cavalettis fit into that program. Cavalettis can be a great way to improve a horse’s balance, coordination and athleticism, but it’s important to not neglect other aspects of training, such as flatwork, trail riding, and other exercises to maintain a well-rounded horse.
Are cavalettis used by Western or English Riders?
Both English and Western riders benefit from cavalettis! Although for most people they conjure up images of English riders preparing for jump work, Western riders would also benefit since they provide great physical and mental benefits for horses.