Whatever your level of schooling, the right jumping equipment plays a huge role in the success and safety of your schooling session. Whether you’re bringing on a young horse, learning the ropes with a more experienced one, or keeping a competition horse tuned up for shows, you need the confidence that your equipment is going to work for you every step of the way.

Good schooling isn’t about jumping bigger and bigger, or about increasing the complexity. It is about building confidence, establishing balance, and improving rhythm and adjustability - all important scales of training. Having well-made, versatile equipment that allows you to set up and alter a myriad of different training exercises, whilst keeping safety at the heart of your schooling.

That’s where PolyJumps comes in…

From lightweight jump blocks to adjustable wings, cavalettis, and even safety cups, all our equipment is designed to make setting up and switching up straightforward. Made with durable, high-quality materials designed to withstand regular use and immune to the British weather, you have the confidence that your PolyJumps equipment is going to have your back every day of the week.

Safe Set Up

A safe setup is just as important as a safe execution when it comes to schooling your horse. Before you get to work with your schooling exercises, there are a few steps you need to tick off.

First, survey the surface. If you’re in an arena, make sure the surface is suitable for what you’re asking your horse to do. Very deep or very hard surfaces can increase the risk of injury and make the schooling exercises harder for your horse. If you’re setting up on grass, make sure it’s not too hard or too wet to prevent your horse from slipping or injuring themselves, and always make sure you’re setting your exercises up on flat ground.

Your warmup is the foundation to your schooling session, so don’t overlook it when you’re getting ready. Dedicate plenty of time to getting your horse supple and warmed up, taking time to assess how they are feeling. The goal of a warmup isn’t just to prepare the muscles for exertion, it is also about relaxing them and engaging their brains ready for a challenge. A horse that is tense and preoccupied will get less out of a schooling session than one that is soft and working with their rider.

Why Does Quality Matter?

We all understand the risks involved with riding horses, but when it comes to schooling, safety should be a top priority - we know it is for us! Old and worn equipment will lose ability to produce the intended results over time and is more likely to break under pressure. Wooden equipment is susceptible to the elements, and can splinter and rot, leading to nasty injuries.

Everybody makes mistakes, even the pros! When it comes to a productive schooling session, you need to have the confidence to get it wrong, knowing your tools are going to support you, even in the event of a mishap.

Not all plastics are created equal. Plastic manufactured for equestrian equipment must be strong and durable, with special consideration on how it responds when knocked or impacted. At PolyJumps we are involved in the entire plastic production process, from start to finish, so we know just what goes into creating safe schooling equipment. All our products are specially manufactured to be durable and withstand exposure to the British weather all year round.

That doesn’t mean plastic equipment is impossible to damage. It is an essential part of schooling safely to check your equipment before you get started, even if it’s as strong as PolyJumps!

Lightweight Also Means Safe 

The common misconception is that strong, safe equipment must be super heavy… we’re here to debunk that myth. At PolyJumps, we pride ourselves on maintaining lightweight equipment without compromising the durability of our products.

Heavy equipment is hard to manoeuvre around the arena and makes setting up and schooling by yourself more difficult if you need to jump off and alter something. Unnecessarily heavy equipment to lift and move is often overlooked as a risk factor, but it can increase the risk of injury to you. And we all know how frustrating it is to have to miss out on riding time from a preventable injury!

There are many riders out there for whom heavy equipment is inaccessible. We create products with inclusivity in mind, meaning most people can make the most of our products because of their lightweight and manoeuvrable designs. PolyJumps are proud supporters of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), and our products are popular among many RDA centres, making them a safe and accessible choice for their riders.

It isn’t just our jumping equipment that makes schooling safe, mounting your horse is just as important! Our 4-step mounting block has been ergonomically designed to be simultaneously strong and robust, whilst staying lightweight and easily transportable around the yard. Its wide steps and non-slip surface have made it another popular choice amongst RDA stables, allowing their riders to safely mount their horses.

Tips For Safe Schooling

The arena is set up, your equipment’s been checked, it’s time to get schooling underway. There are a few things you can implement to ensure you’re keeping both yours and your horse’s safety at the heart of your schooling session. 

·        Check and double check your distances. The wrong distance between poles and jumps can cause a nasty accident, so always walk and adjust your poles. Once you get started you might find they need adjusting again, so don’t be shy about hopping off and moving them to accommodate your horse’s stride.

·        Choose good schooling exercises. The best schooling sessions work on balance, rhythm, and rideability, no matter how old or experienced the horse is. We have a whole library of pole work, dressage, and jumping exercises available, so if you need some schooling inspiration, click here.

·        Don’t overdo it. Knowing when to call it a day is the number one way to stay safe while schooling. A good schooling session isn’t about jumping bigger or making it more technical. A good schooling session builds confidence in both horse and rider. PolyJumps wings and blocks accommodate riders and horses of all levels, with jumps from 15cm and upwards, so you don’t feel any pressure to make the jumps too big!

·        Build healthy schooling habits. Incorporating a good warmup and cool-down into your schooling session is the safest way to get the most out of your horse and ensure they’re feeling good in themselves for the next one. Prioritise regular breaks throughout the session to give them a breather and allow them to process what they’re learning. Remember to give them lots of praise throughout the session and finish off with some relaxing stretches to reset their body and mind. 

      The role of your equipment is to create a safe training environment where you can develop your horse and your skills, without worrying about the equipment itself. The best schooling sessions are the ones where your horse finishes feeling confident, relaxed, and ready to do it again. 

      PolyJumps plastic poles, wings, blocks, and other training equipment provide a versatile alternative to traditional wooden equipment, and their lightweight design makes them accessible and easy to set up, for everyone.