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How To Walk Strides

The average horse has a 12 foot stride. This means that each stride a horse takes covers 12 feet of ground. When counting strides between jumps, not only do you need to count the strides between the jumps, but you must also allow 6 feet for the landing off the first jump, and 6 feet for the take off to the next jump.

Here are the basic steps to follow:

Get comfortable with making consistent 3 foot strides when walking.

Stand at the back of the first jump.

Walk using your 3 foot strides and count "3, 6, 9, 0". This is your first 12 feet in the line and we count it as 0 strides to account for the landing and take off.

Then count "3, 6, 9, 1". This is your second 12 foot stride which counts as 1 stride in the line so far.

Continue counting in this way until you reach the second jump, "3, 6, 9, 2, 3, 6, 9, 3...."

If you reach the second jump on a whole stride, the line is set for 12 foot strides. If it is just under, then the distance is set short. If it is just over, the line is set long.

Distances to walk for medium ponies are based on 11 foot strides, and for small - 10 foot strides.

So, if you want a 5 stride line, then you must have 72 feet between the jumps (6*12).

Distances for take off and landing poles (trotting - (based on horse size)):

6-8'

Distances for trotting poles (based on horse size):

3-4'

Distances for canter poles (based on horse size):

10-12'

Distances for bounces (based on horse size):

10-12'

For ponies, the above distances need to be reduced accordingly.

Written by Karen Monk