How do I train a horse for pole bending and what makes a great pole horse?

Pole bending is a discipline that demands a unique combination of speed and agility — the horse must accelerate hard down the pole line, make tight directional changes between each pole without touching them, and carry that athletic momentum all the way through the return pass and sprint to the finish. A great pole bending horse is typically quick-footed, naturally agile, and able to bend through its body with suppleness on both sides. The tight weaving pattern between poles requires the horse to flex and bend as it changes direction around each pole, and a horse that is stiff through its barrel or that does not bend naturally will be slower and less accurate through the pattern than a supple horse of equivalent speed. Lateral suppleness is a training priority for pole horses developed through circles, leg yields, and bending exercises rather than simply running the pattern repeatedly. Training the pole pattern begins at a slow pace — a walk and then a trot — where the horse can learn the path and develop the bending habit without the pressure of speed. A horse rushed into the pattern at competitive speed before understanding the line and the bending requirements will develop incorrect habits that are difficult to unwind later. Walking the pattern many times, with the rider actively bending the horse around each pole using inside leg and rein, teaches the horse the correct path and prepares its body for the bending work before speed is introduced. Speed is added gradually as the horse's accuracy and bending confirm at each pace level.