This class can be for any horse too young to ride, too small to ride, a
saddle horse that is having issues with training, or one that has missed out on the ground work basics.
We will teach the basics of moving the horse's feet. Leading by a loose
lead rope. Facing you. Backing up. Ground driving (similar to lunging) which I call "sending".
Lateral flextion, disengaging the hindquarters, and moving the front shoulders over.
Working your horse "off line". How to use your eyes and body language to comunicate
with your horse.
The importance of the sending exercises is that later on when in the saddle, you can
only "send" your horse. You can't lead him. So you need to "send" him from the ground first. It is also safer
for you if you can stand back from your horse when sending them through or past obstacles.
Ground work also helps them build confidence in doing things without you being
out front. When you are leading, you are their "comfort shield" or "teddy bear". Some of this is fine in the beginning,
but your horse needs confidence of his own to be a safe mount.
GROUND WORK (WHICH CONSISTS OF FACING, SENDING,
TURNING, PIVOTING, BACKING, JUMPING, SIDEPASSING, STANDING, PASSING UNDER, SQUEEZING, CROSSING, ENTERING, LEAVING,
SENSITIZING, DESENSITIZING, WALKING, TROTTING, LOPING, LATERAL NECK FLEXION, VERTICAL NECK FLEXTION, AND BEING LED
ON A LOOSE LINE) IS THE BASIS FOR A WELL BEHAVED AND RELAXED HORSE.
GROUND WORK SHOULD BE JUST AS ENJOYABLE AS RIDING IS. AFTER A LONG
DAY AT WORK YOU MAY NOT HAVE THE TIME OR ENERGY FOR A TRAIL RIDE. BUT 15 MINUTES OF GROUND WORK IS A FUN AND RELAXING
WAY TO SPEND A LITTLE QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR HORSE. WHAT YOUR HORSE ATTAINS IN THE ROUND PEN IS ONLY LIMITED
BY YOUR IMAGINATION.
IT ALSO HELPS IN FORMING THAT BOND BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR HORSE AS YOU LEARN TO
BETTER COMUNICATE WITH HIM.
