Here is a guideline to all of the Basic Groundwork Exercises. This checklist will tell you the order of the exercises, how long you should work on each exercise, and when you should move on or add another exercise. Continue reading Basic Groundwork Checklist
Category: Basic
A Balanced Horse
Having a balanced horse is not only a physical term but also a mental one. Mentally, horses need to be balanced in order for us to ride them correctly and safely. A horse who is not balanced will not be content where he is. Instead, he will be attracted to magnets such as the gate, barn, and other horses. When your horse is balanced mentally, he will be on your aids ready to do anything you ask while staying relaxed. Continue reading A Balanced Horse
Trail Training Part 1: Going Away From Home
The reason that many horses bolt, buck, rear, or balk on the trail is because they want to go back to the barn, other horses, their pasture, etc and you aren’t letting him. If the horse misbehaves by doing any one of these behaviors he learns that he can escape the pressure, go back to where he wants to be, or you may even end the ride, get off and take him home. You must start at the cause of the problem and figure out the source of your horse’s need to be at a certain place. Continue reading Trail Training Part 1: Going Away From Home
Sending On The Lunge Line
Teaching the horse to send between, through, onto, and over things allows you to maneuver him wherever you like. It is also the foundation for trailer loading, and prepares him for obstacles that he will encounter under saddle. Continue reading Sending On The Lunge Line
Groundwork: Backing Up
Teaching the horse to back up on cue is helpful for moving him out of your space, positioning him during groundwork or in cross ties, among other things. Continue reading Groundwork: Backing Up
Lunging: Yield The Hindquarters
Meaningful lunging is another great exercise essential to horse training. But chasing your horse in circles is not, there needs to be a purpose to all of your training. Continue reading Lunging: Yield The Hindquarters
Pre-Ride Groundwork
Groundwork is very important, but lots of people over look it. Without groundwork you can’t tell what kind of mood your horse is in each day; you’re taking the chance that he may buck, rear, or spook. Now I’m not going to say that those things are never going to happen they just have a much more unlikely chance that they will when you prepare your horse to be ridden. Continue reading Pre-Ride Groundwork
Round Pen Lessons
The round pen can be a very useful tool if used correctly. Other tools like whips, spurs, and bits are all other examples. Like these other tools, the round pen can be used poorly to chase horses around, but in the right hands it can become a place of learning and trust between horse and rider. Continue reading Round Pen Lessons
Desensitizing Part 3: Tarps
Getting your horse comfortable with as many objects and situations as possible will create a more confident horse and a greater connection between horse and rider. Continue reading Desensitizing Part 3: Tarps
Desensitizing Part 2: Plastic
Now that your horse is comfortable with pressure from your rope and stick it’s time to move on to plastic bags. Exposing your horse to plastic gives both you and your horse confidence. You never know when a piece of frightening plastic will fly into your path while on the trail or in the arena. These lessons will teach your horse that plastic is nothing to worry about and give you tips on how to desensitize him properly. Continue reading Desensitizing Part 2: Plastic