Poling (horse)
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Poling or Rapping is the practice of hitting a horse on the legs as it goes over a jump, to make it think it hit the fence hard (due to the pain), so the animal will pick his legs up higher the next time. It is usually performed using a long bamboo stick, which is smacked on the cannon bones of the horse.
Poling is illegal under FEI rules, as well as under many national rules.[1] Show jumpers and hunt seat competitors were the most common users of this technique, as a rail down is often a deciding factor in winning a class. However, the practice is sometimes seen today.
In popular culture
Poling can be seen in a scene of the movie National Velvet, when Mi Taylor hits the Pie on the legs as Velvet rides him over an obstacle in a training session.
It can also be seen being used by Harry DeLeyer while working with his son's horse in the documentary Harry and Snowman.
References
- Footnotes