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middle of the arena. Cones can be placeda few feet off the wall or fenceline, to ensure that riders ride their turns deeply topass between the cones and the wall. Thisexercise trains the eye to look aheadaround turns, develops accuracy (perhapsenhanced because cavalletti, with minimalwings, invite a run-out a little more easilythan would a crossrail with standards),and can be made more complex with theaddition of more cavalletti on the centerline, to create more serpentine loops.Gradually increase the height of the cavalletti to make the exercise more challenging.If you think it sounds too easy, try it atcanter rather than at trot Five or six rollback turns in a standard-sized arena are achallenge for even the most advancedrider!A second cavalletti course requires fivecavalletti, and demonstrates just howmuch you can accomplish with limitedspace and lumber. Place one in the centerof your arena, and arrange two, in a Vshape, at either end of your central cavalletto, creating an elongated X pattern.You now have five %u201cfences%u201d and a widevariety of bending lines to choose from.Use your imagination to come up withhunter-like smooth turns as well as rollback turning questions worthy of the nastiest jump-off. This exercise is adaptablefrom novice to grand prix, and the smallsize of the cavalletti makes it much saferto make mistakes.A bounce (or no-stride) is another exercise tailor-made for introduction via cavalletti. Incorporate your young horse%u2019s(or young rider%u2019s) first bounce attemptinto a familiar gymnastic. For example,go from three trotting poles and a cavalletto, to three trotting poles and two cavalletti at a bounce distance - 10 to 12 feetfor most horses. The cavalletti are smallenough to make the bounce inviting instead of intimidating, and with the athleticeffort that bounces require, you will notwant to add any height for some time. Once your horse is comfortable withthe mechanics of a bounce, encouragestraightness and accuracy by building a%u201csquare%u201d of four cavalletti, on the diagonallines of the arena (KXM and HXF, if youhave dressage letters set up as references).Space them about 10 to 12 feet apart, leaving small spaces between them as an escape route. Riding a straight line before,during, and especially after the bounce isthe key to this exercise, which can also beadapted to a one- or two-stride distance.The expanded distances also allow you touse the square for more complicated bending lines - for example, you can ridestraight through both jumping efforts, orskip the first cavalletto and jump the second, or jump the first and steer around thesecond.Cavalletti can also, of course, be incorporated into grids and gymnastics, andused as filler or front rails for small oxersor verticals made from standards andpoles. The variety of patterns and exercises in which they can be employed arelimited only by your imagination.Cavalletti For DreSSageWhile most of us are aware of the valueof trotting poles in encouraging athleticism and rhythm in young horses, a greatmany of us also never bother to haul outthe lumber once our horses are a little further along in their training. But trottingpoles and cavalletti can accomplish a gooddeal more in an older horse%u2019s schoolingthan we give them credit for.The principle of ground poles is thatthey encourage a horse to drop his head,round his topline, and lift and flex athletVIBE - PEMF%u201cpocket%u201d pemF therapy for Arthritis,Wound Healing, Relax and Balance,Grounding, Immune Boosting, Allergies and MORe!4 For Horses, people and pets4 over 120 Settings to use4 travel friendly and portable4 no drugs or prescriptions4 no monthly subscriptions4 no apps to downloadLearn more at https://resona.health?ap_id=cgaravettoInteractive Equine Bodywork928-308-2829 %u2022 cgaravetto@gmail.com44 Arizona Horse Connection March, 2026continued on page 46