Equestrian Life is an online community for horse people.
We bring together horse people across all disciplines, breeds and sports.
We invite you to connect with others who love horses as much as you do.
What are some of your favorite ground exercises? I'm working on putting together a program of sorts for my new boy. I won't be riding him for a few months (he needs about 200lbs. put on him first) and would like to do lots of groundwork with him. I want to teach him carrot stretches for sure, but I'm not sure what else yet. We're definitely going to work on just basic ground training and things he should know. Just want to do something with him until I get to know him and I am able to ride him.
Obstacles - they are fun and make both of you think. Tarps, water hazard, bridge, sending the horse thru a narrow place (scary!) maybe over a tarp. Once he has all the basics down of course...
I usually work any of my horses over ground poles, it helps them to collect themselves. and loungeing them up a grade helps build up their stamina and chest muscles. Good luck.
I like to set things up in random spots and get them to go around them in random orders. I might do a figure 8 on one and serpentine through others. I like to do this Parelli style with a long line and get the horse to read your body language to figure out which ones to go around (or over) next. Sometimes you can go backwards or sideways too. It really is a lot of fun and it also develops a great relationship.
Spending lots of time de-sensitising on the ground is fab whether it be plastic bags, plastic bottles tied on a rope, tarps on the ground, strings on a stick. Lots of repetition and reward. Disengaing the hinds, turns on the forehand, backing up, side-passing etc.
Long walks around the district but making sure the horse stays switched on to you.
You need to become the 1 your horse looks to and respects on the ground. Will make the whole riding experience sweet.
