From simple triangles to challenging bending lines, polework expert Nina Gill revealed in a demonstration at Your Horse Live 2026 how a handful of poles can transform your schooling sessions, improve your horses way of going and keep them thinking.Polework is one of the most versatile tools in a riders training arsenal. Whether you want to improve suppleness, develop strength or sharpen your horses reactions, a few strategically placed poles can make a big difference.During her demonstration with rider Sharon and her horse Flora, Nina showed how a simple triangle of poles could be transformed into a series of increasingly challenging exercises.And the good news? You dont need an arena full of equipment to reap the benefits.1. Never underestimate walking over polesWhile it can be tempting to get straight into trot, Nina stresses that spending time walking over poles is particularly valuable.Walk is actually the most beneficial pace for polework, explains Nina. They work harder in the walk than they do in trot or canter because theres not that natural lift.Walking gives horses time to understand the question, while encouraging them to lift their limbs through muscular effort.Dont ever think that any time spent walking over poles is wasted, she adds.Nina also recommends taking your time when introducing new exercises, particularly with horses that become tense or distracted in unfamiliar environments.Every time that you introduce something new, I like to spend lots of time in walk, she says. It gives them time to work out the question thats in front of them, and they can come up with their answer.2. Try the triangle challenge Arrange three 3m poles into a triangle, creating an exercise that can be approached from several directions.I always use the three-metre poles because theyre a really good length, Nina explains. They make up a nice distance that the horse can walk, trot and canter through, and it works for most size horses as well.Entering through the base gives the horse a wider, more inviting space, whereas approaching through the point requires greater precision.The triangle can also be incorporated into circles, encouraging riders to control the shoulders and maintain bend.Think about using your shoulders and your upper body to help to steer, advises Nina, rather than relying on the inside rein.Importantly, horses dont need to work in a perfect outline to benefit.Dont feel that you cant do polework if you cant get your horse on the bit, because thats not the case at all, she says.3. Get your distances rightUnsure how far apart to place trotting poles? Nina recommends starting with four poles and having someone video your horse travelling through them.Were aiming for the horses footfall to land midway between two poles, she explains.If the horse lands too close to the next pole, increase the distance. If the gap is too long, shorten it.Once youve established a comfortable distance, measure it so you can reproduce the exercise.The easiest way of doing it is to put out four poles when youre trying to work out your horses stride length, says Nina.4. Use poles to perfect transitions Two parallel poles can become useful markers for improving accuracy.Try trotting towards a triangle, making a transition to walk between the guide poles, then walking through the triangle.As your horse progresses, introduce canter-to-trot transitions.Sometimes were all guilty when were riding of saying, Oh, I need to do a transition. Ill just do it there, Nina explains.Having poles as markers encourages riders to be more precise about where they ask for transitions, while also helping horses maintain straightness.Nina emphasises that mistakes are part of learning.Remember, were training. Were not in competition, she reassures riders.5. Introduce angled and bending lines Adding angled poles to your triangle encourages greater body awareness and can highlight weaknesses in straightness.This is really, really good for their spatial awareness, explains Nina.She points out that angled poles can also encourage a more expressive trot without needing to raise the poles.You very often get a raised pole effect without even having to raise your poles, she says.Fan-shaped arrangements are equally useful for developing suppleness and engagement.Ride towards the narrower end to encourage shorter strides, or take a wider line to allow the horse to open its stride.You can see how well horses use poles on a bending line, Nina says. It really does help with bend, with engagement.6. Know when to stopPolework is mentally demanding as well as physically challenging, so recognising fatigue is essential.When youre tired, your reflex reactions are so much slower, Nina warns, explaining that tired horses can struggle to correct themselves if they misjudge a pole.Do listen to your horse. The second you start to feel theyre getting tired, then just call it a day.And remember, polework neednt take over your entire session.You can work on other things, Nina says, and then incorporate the triangle for a couple of minutes. 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