Training Tip: Must-Have Obstacles: Log Circle

Having obstacles to work your horse over keeps training sessions fun and interesting for you and him. Plus, it allows you to work on practical skills you’ll need when you’re out exploring trails.

If you’ve got a set budget to work with or only a limited area in which to build a course, there are six obstacles that’ll get you the most bang for your training. First up, is a circle of logs or poles.

Exposes: Your horse’s ability to pick his feet up and step over an object. The log circle is a great way to get any horse of any age started on obstacles.

Cold-blooded, lazy horses often trip over the logs because they don’t pick up their feet. Hotblooded horses tend to race around the circle, which results in them falling over the logs. Your goal is to get the horse to trot energetically with an even cadence around the circle, picking up his feet so that he doesn’t touch the logs. He should be relaxed and using the thinking side of his brain. The horse should also be able to calmly walk the circle, which is more of a challenge for a hot horse.

Because the obstacle isn’t intimidating, and you can work on just one log or the entire circle, it’s a great way to get a horse started on obstacles and to build his confidence.

Dimensions: My log circle is made out of 12 logs that measure 10 feet long and 9 inches in diameter. They are evenly spaced 5 feet apart. Permanently held in place by footers at each end, every log is raised off the ground to stand 1 foot and 2 inches high.

Practical Application: If you ride your horse outside of the arena, you’re sure to encounter an obstacle for him to step over. By teaching him how to be responsible for his feet in a controlled environment at home, he’ll be confident and know how to handle the situation while out on the trail.