Choosing the correct cavaletti height for different goals
In a previous post, we reviewed the spacing of cavalettis, but what about the height? The height is just as important as spacing to ensure our pets and patients are set up to achieve our goals in as little time as possible.
If the cavalettis are too high, the pet will knock them or tick them with their nails. Their stride will also shorten to accommodate the height and it can be discouraging. But if the cavalettis are too low, we may not be able to achieve our goals.
As a reminder, we can use cavalettis to:
Strengthen the trunk and limb muscles
Increase balance in puppies, adults, athletes, geriatric, neurological patients
Improve proprioception for puppies, adults, athletes, geriatric, neurological patients
Increase reach and drive for confirmation dogs and athletes
Improve equal-limb weight bearing post surgery or injury
Eliminate pacing for confirmation dogs and athletes
Reduce the risk of contralateral cruciate injury
Reduce the risk of patella luxation
Be sure to watch the video above – we discuss the importance of starting low, teaching dogs the rules of the game, and then changing the height to achieve our goal in the least amount of time needed.
Shortcut on Cavaletti Heights
General heights are carpus or below, carpus to midway up to the elbow, and the highest chosen height is close to the elbow. If we set the cavaletti poles above elbow height the chest gets in the way and we don’t want them jumping over the bars so they do not hit their chest. We want them to have fun and succeed; work hard and play hard.
CAVALETTI EXERCISES ARE GREAT FOR:
Body awareness, balance, and proprioception (knowing where their body is in space)
Strength
Enhancing cognitive ability
Increasing reach and drive
Picking up, rather than sliding their feet while walking
Increasing flexion of the limb joints (think marching)
WHAT KIND OF DOG CAN BENEFIT FROM CAVALETTI EXERCISES? EVERY KIND.
Puppies – they can all benefit from exposure to proprioception exercises
Geriatric dogs or others that have weakness
Dogs that have had surgery and are less weight bearing on one or more limbs that is a habit (pain is controlled)
Working dogs that need better proprioception
Athletes that require intense foot-eye coordination
Dogs with patella luxation
Show dogs that need more reach and drive
Dogs that need neurological stimulation to stop or slow down cognitive decline
Dogs that slide their feet
Dogs with neurological disease or ataxia
A good exercise program teaches you a lot of simple activities, allowing you to tie them together into an exercise that is tailored to the specific needs of a dog. Ideally you want exercises that challenge every area of the body and enhance balance, proprioception, and cognitive function.
THE MOST VERSATILE CAVALETTIS ON THE MARKET – OPV CAVALETTI JACKS
Cavaletti Jacks are lightweight, durable, portable cavalettis designed for the Rehab Therapist or Pet Parent working on proprioception, strength, balance, weight bearing, flexion, and so much more. Quickly adjustable from 2” up to 11” with color coding for exercising fun.
Made to order in the USA.
Order today and get your own amazing dog gym pieces!