An overview of my dissertation: Effects of pole work on equine hindlimb muscle activity

Background behind the dissertation:

As part of my Masters degree I was required to complete a dissertation which included conducting an experimental trial in a topic of my choice to contribute to the research field surrounding veterinary physiotherapy. Having obtained many hours of researching in order to complete assignments over the last four years, a key area that appeared to lack scientific evidence was remedial exercise amongst animals. Pole work particularly stood out to me as its a commonly prescribed exercise both in rehabilitation and general maintenance to achieve musculoskeletal strengthening. However, its evidence primarily surrounds kinematic effects (effects of poles on movement) and not as much on its musculoskeletal effects, having been anecdotally suggested to increase core and hindlimb strength. Therefore, I proposed an experimental design which would look at the activity of two key hindlimb equine muscles during no poles, ground poles and raised poles, which was later excepted by ARU Writtle ethics panel allowing for this research to commence.

6 horses of varying breeds, age, height, weight and workload participated within this study. A surface electromyography device was used to measure muscle activity through electrode placement on the skins surface of the horse over one of the hamstring muscles (biceps femoris) and glute muscles (gluteus superficialis). Horses were then walked down the middle of 5 ground poles, 5 raised poles and between two cone markers for no poles in a randomised order.

Results

Average activity (activity over the entire stride cycle) of both muscles increased from no poles to ground poles but decreased from ground poles to raised poles (non-significant results).

Peak activity (highest level of activity recorded during the stride) increased from no poles to ground poles and further increased from ground poles to raised poles (only the gluteus superficialis was significant).

What does this mean?

• Pole work doesn't induce significant strain on the muscles studies which may suggest that it is suitable in early rehabilitation or where significant atrophy (muscle loss) has occured.

• Previous research has shown that stance time (the time spent with the limb in contact with the ground) decreased between ground poles and raised poles. Therefore, average activity of the biceps femoris may have decreased from ground poles to raised poles due to less need for muscle activation over the entire stride cycle. Moreover, swing time (the period when the leg is in the air) increased meaning that the gluteus superficialis would have been active over a longer period of time which may also explain the decrease in average activity between ground poles and raised poles.

• Muscles which are situated in the lower limb may experience more significant changes in muscle activity due to more distal joints such as fetlock joint range of motion being more greatly impacted than higher joints such as the hip which both the muscles act upon.

• The two muscles studied play a pivotal role in protraction (forwards movement) and retraction (backwards movement) of the hindlimb, therefore, the activity of the muscles within this study may experience greater activity when altering pole distance such as making pole spacing wider so the horse has to stretch further forwards with its hindlimbs.

With my research contributing to the evidence base, it provides an overview of the effects poles have on the horse. My results do indicate that pole work increases hindlimb muscle activity, however, other research found greater significant increase in muscle activty within core muscles over poles. Suggesting that pole work may be more beneficial in conditioning core musculature as oppose to hindlimb muscles. Furthermore, poles have shown to increase the range of motion of joints, allowing for greater movement (flexion and extension) which enhances performance. Finally, pole work has also shown to improve the entire stride length (increases ground coverage) and tracking distance (increases in the distance the hindlimb comes forwards). Therefore, its a fantastic versatile exercise for musculoskeletal strengthening and conditioning.

Presenting my findings to an audience/assessor back in March 2026: