How To Set Pole And Jump Distances For Horses Like A Pro

Setting the right distances between poles and jumps keeps your horse balanced, confident, and safe. Whether you’re building grids at home, practicing for competition, or helping a green horse find rhythm, knowing how to set pole and jump distances — and when to adjust them — is key.

Below, you’ll find standard “by the book” competition distances, plus practical schooling distances you can use as a starting point. Remember: every horse is unique, so these numbers are guides — not rules.

Competition Distances: “By the Book”

For experienced horses and riders jumping 3’3″+ courses outdoors, standard distances are based on:

Assumption that the show jumping canter stride is about 12 feet
Roughly 6 feet before and after the jump for takeoff and landing

Typical jump distances on a standard course at a show:

One stride combination: 24 feet
Two stride combination: 36 feet
Three strides: 48 feet
Four strides: 60 feet
Five strides: 72 feet

👉 Tip: add 12 feet per stride when planning longer lines.

These distances help maintain forward rhythm and balance over bigger fences. But they often need to be shortened for greener horses, smaller fences, or tight indoor arenas (see below).

Even over bigger fences, schooling a 60’ line in five strides (instead of the standard four) can teach your horse to compress and wait to the base.

How To Set Pole And Jump Distances for Schooling

For greener horses, smaller fences, tight indoor arenas, or cantering into fences 3’3″ or smaller, distances are based on:

Assuming the Canter stride is 10–10.5 feet
Takeoff & landing spots: about 1–1.5 times fence height

Typical schooling jump distances at home:

One stride combination: 19–22 feet
Two stride combination: 31–34 feet
Three strides: 40–45 feet
Four strides: 48–56 feet
Five strides: 58–68 feet

When learning how to set pole and jump distances at home, adjust for your horse’s stride, experience, fence height, and arena size. Shorter distances can help horses wait, stay balanced, and gain confidence.

How To Set Pole And Jump Distances for Poles & Grids on the Flat

Poles on the ground help horses develop rhythm, adjustability, and focus. Here’s how to set pole distances for flatwork:

Trot poles: 3’6”–4’6” apart
Canter poles: 10’–11’6” apart
Trot pole before a jump: 7’–9’
Trot into a one-stride grid: 18’–20’
Canter into a one-stride grid: 19’–24’
Bounce: 9–14 feet (closer to 9′ if trotting in, closer to 12′ or more if cantering in)

Start with these measurements, then adjust based on your horse’s size, stride, and confidence.

Why distances aren’t one-size-fits-all

The real goal isn’t to memorize numbers — it’s to understand how to set pole and jump distances that suit your horse and training goals. Factors that change distances include:

Arena size (indoor vs. outdoor)
- Indoor will require shorter distances
- Outdoor can accommodate longer distances
Fence height and width
- Bigger the fence the more room needed to take off and land
Horse’s stride length, balance, and type
Speed, approach, and rider experience
Whether you’re teaching the horse to lengthen, shorten, or stay steady

📌 Important: These are starting points, not perfect numbers! Good riding is about observing, adjusting, and keeping schooling safe and positive.

Why it matters

Learning how to set pole and jump distances helps you:

Build your horse’s rhythm and confidence
Improve adjustability and rideability
Prevent rushing, awkward takeoffs, or chipping
Keep schooling fun, effective, and safe

If you’re unsure, measure the distances with a tape measure and then learn to walk the distances yourself: a 12′ canter stride is roughly four human steps (if each human step is 3 feet x 4 = 12 feet). This requires practice to get it consistent. Over time, you’ll develop a consistent 3′ step, an eye for what each distance looks like — and feel — for what works.

Final tip

Every horse is different. Use these distances as a guide, not a rulebook. Keep notes on what works best in your arena, and be ready to adapt as your horse develops.