How Do You Make DIY Ground Poles (Trot Poles)?
Ground poles (also called trot poles) are lengths of wood laid flat in the arena for a horse to walk, trot, or canter over, and you can build a set of 10 from landscape timbers, primer, and caulk for under $60, ready to ride over the next day.
Ground poles and trot poles are the same item; the term trot poles simply refers to ground poles spaced specifically for trotting exercises. Making your own ground poles creates versatile equipment that you can use as walk poles, trot poles, canter poles, and small jumps. A caulking gun, sander, and paintbrush provide all the basic tools you need, and a typical set of 10 poles uses standard 8-foot landscape timbers.
On non-riding days, building ground poles keeps training progress moving forward while giving the horse a break and expanding the schooling toolkit for future sessions.
At a Glance: DIY Ground Poles & Trot Pole Spacing
- Build 10 ground poles for under $60 using 8 ft landscape timbers, primer, and caulk.
- Use pressure-treated or exterior-rated landscape timbers for durability outdoors.
- Follow 5 main build steps: remove tags, sand, caulk splits, prime in thin coats, dry overnight.
- Space poles about 2.5-3 ft apart for walk work, 4-4.5 ft for trot, and 9-11 ft for canter.
- Use the same poles flat as ground poles or on jump cups and blocks as low jump rails.
Ideal Ground Pole Spacing for Walk, Trot, and Canter
Use closer spacing for walk, medium spacing for trot, and wide spacing for canter so the horse can step or stride comfortably through the line.
Average distances provide a starting point, and you adjust a few inches closer or farther based on the individual horse, stride length, and gait quality.
| Use | Typical Spacing Between Poles | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Walk poles | 2.5-3 ft (0.75-0.9 m) | Encourage careful foot placement, improve rhythm at the walk, and build strength. |
| Trot poles | 4-4.5 ft (1.2-1.35 m) | Regulate trot rhythm, lengthen or shorten stride slightly, and improve suspension. |
| Canter poles | 9-11 ft (2.75-3.35 m) | Help the horse find a consistent canter stride, improve balance, and prepare for jumps. |
| Placing pole before a small jump | 8-9 ft (about 1 stride for trot-in) | Guide takeoff distance and help the horse stay straight to the fence. |
Most landscape timbers are 8 ft long, which makes them easy to handle and long enough to ride over in straight lines, curves, and small grid exercises.
Choosing Materials for Your Ground Poles
Use pressure-treated or exterior-rated landscape timbers, because they are inexpensive, easy to handle, and resist weather when stored outdoors.
Most home improvement stores keep 8 ft landscape timbers in stock, and these work very well as ground poles and low jump rails. Choosing a primer designed for exterior use, such as a water-based stain-blocking primer, helps protect the wood and extends the life of the poles.
What You Will Need
Gather all materials and tools before starting so you can complete the build in one day.
- 10 landscape timbers (typically 8 ft long)
- 1 gallon Kilz 2 primer (water based)
- 4 tubes of acrylic painter’s caulk
- 1 package of sandpaper (for use with a sanding block or power sander)
- Caulking gun
- Paintbrush suitable for exterior primer
If you plan to make more poles or other jump components, buy a 2 gallon bucket of Kilz 2 primer so you have enough product on hand for future projects and a better price per gallon.
How to Set Up Your Workspace
Raise the timbers off the ground on sturdy, movable supports so you can sand, caulk, and paint all sides efficiently.
Use saw horses, jump standards, stacked blocks, or paint cans to support the poles. Space the supports so the timber does not sag in the middle and so you can easily walk around each pole. A flat, well-ventilated area makes sanding and painting easier and helps the primer dry evenly.
Step-by-Step: How to Build DIY Ground Poles
Follow a simple sequence of five steps so the ground poles are ready to ride over the next day.
- Remove the staple and tag from the end of each timber.
- Sand down all rough areas and sharp edges on every pole.
- Fill splits and cracks with acrylic painter’s caulk, using about 1 tube for every 3 to 5 poles.
- Apply 3 to 4 thin coats of Kilz 2 primer, allowing about 1 hour between coats.
- Let the primed ground poles dry overnight so they are safe to use in the arena the next day.
How to Sand the Timbers Safely
Sand each timber until rough patches and sharp splinters are smoothed, while keeping the overall shape of the pole.
After removing staples and tags, use sandpaper or a power sander to work along the length of each pole. Focus on knots, corners, and any lifted grain that could catch a boot or leg wrap. When you finish sanding all the poles, set them aside on the supports so they stay clean for caulking and priming.
How to Fill Cracks in the Timbers
Use acrylic painter’s caulk to fill splits and cracks so the poles are smoother, sealed, and more weather resistant.
Landscape timbers often have long splits and end cracks, especially near the edges. Run a bead of caulk along each split, then smooth it with a gloved finger or a caulk tool so it sits flush with the wood. One tube of caulk usually covers about 3 to 5 poles, depending on the number and size of the splits. The caulk helps seal the wood against moisture, which is especially useful when the poles live outside on jump fields or arena edges.
How to Prime and Paint the Ground Poles
Apply several thin coats of exterior-rated primer to seal the wood, improve durability, and create a bright, visible surface.
Once all the poles are caulked and dry to the touch, use a paintbrush to apply the first thin coat of Kilz 2 primer. Brush along the length of the timber and rotate the pole on its supports so you cover every side. Allow about 1 hour of drying time between coats. Thinner coats dry faster and resist drips and runs more effectively than heavy coats.
If you start priming in the morning, you can usually apply 3 to 4 coats in a single day. After the final coat, leave the ground poles on their supports overnight to dry fully before moving them into the arena.
Using Your New Ground Poles in Training
Use your new ground poles for walk, trot, and canter exercises, as well as for planning and setting jump courses.
For basic lines, set 4 to 6 poles in a straight row. Use about 2.5-3 ft spacing for walk work to encourage careful stepping, 4-4.5 ft spacing for trot pole lines to regulate rhythm and stride, and 9-11 ft spacing for canter poles to help the horse find a consistent canter stride. Adjust the distances slightly based on the horse’s size and natural stride length.
There are a lot of different exercises you can do with your new ground poles. You can find inspiration in 10 fun ground pole exercises you can set up at home.
To add variety, ride over poles on a bending line or half circle, or raise one or both ends of a pole using blocks for an extra strength challenge. You can also use the same poles as templates for a jump course: lay out pole lines first, ride the horse over the pattern as ground poles, and adjust the layout until the track rides well.
Making your own ground poles can also double as jump rails, so you can use these in simple grids and then follow a guide on DIY horse jump poles to build out the rest of your arena set.
Setting the course with ground poles first makes it easier to fine-tune turns, distances, and approaches before lifting the poles into full jump standards, which saves time and effort when rearranging the arena.
How Long Until Ground Poles Are Ready to Use?
Ground poles built with primer and caulk are typically safe to ride over the day after you finish the last coat of primer.
When you complete sanding, caulking, and 3-4 thin primer coats in the morning or afternoon, the poles usually have enough drying time overnight to become firm and non-tacky. Before putting them in the arena, check each pole by pressing a thumb into the surface; if no mark appears and the pole feels dry, you can begin schooling exercises over the new ground poles during the next ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
Riders often ask specific questions about trot pole spacing, cost, and how to use DIY ground poles safely and effectively.
- How far apart should trot poles be? Trot poles should typically be spaced 4-4.5 ft (about 1.2-1.35 m) apart, then adjusted a few inches to suit the horse’s stride.
- How much does it cost to make ground poles? A basic set of 10 ground poles usually costs under $60 when you use 8 ft landscape timbers, a gallon of primer, sandpaper, and painter’s caulk.
- Can ground poles be used as jump rails? Yes, the same 8 ft ground poles can be lifted onto blocks or jump cups and used as low jump rails or crossrails.
- How long should ground poles be? Ground poles for most arenas work best at about 8 ft long, which matches standard landscape timbers and fits well even in smaller spaces.
- Are ground poles and trot poles the same thing? Ground poles and trot poles are the same physical poles, and riders use the term trot poles when the ground poles are spaced specifically for trotting exercises.
Today is a little bit different. Riders are taking a break from being in the saddle, and if you like to film your schooling sessions you can pair your arena setup with auto-tracking Pivo pods for riders to capture every pass over the poles.
Many riders love creating different pieces of equipment that they can use when working with horses and riders, whether that is new poles, creative exercises, or tools like a wireless mic and headset for clearer coaching in the arena.
