Age for groundwork?

[Somewhat Off The Way]

What age would you start more than basic groundwork with a youngster? I'm thinking horse agility/trec type things in-hand, not lunging or long-reining.

He leads nicely, ties up for the farrier and will halt/walk/back-up in hand. I don't do anything with him other than that at the moment. Lives out 24/7 in a herd of 6.

Just looking for some opinions, so not saying what age he is.

 

[JBM]

For in hand I think as soon as your horse is comfortable I’m sure he will let you know when it’s too much
Nothing wrong with walking through forests and over obstacles to get his brain working and expose him to new things
I’d do it all at walk tho
1+
The same amount you would show a youngster all experiences
I am assuming he’s somewhere between 1-3 with this opinion

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Not before they are 3 I think before then they are better off just being in a field being a baby, as long as they can happily do the basics that's enough.

 

[TPO]

What age would you start more than basic groundwork with a youngster? I'm thinking horse agility/trec type things in-hand, not lunging or long-reining.

He leads nicely, ties up for the farrier and will halt/walk/back-up in hand. I don't do anything with him other than that at the moment. Lives out 24/7 in a herd of 6.

Just looking for some opinions, so not saying what age he is.

Have a look at Joe Midgley Horsemanship FB page and Good Horsemanship website.

There's a video series on youngster handling featuring a weanling/yearling he had (Picnic).

 

[SEL]

I'd happily start playing around at 2. Not too much of anything but the earlier they see the world the better IMO

 

[dorsetladette]

Mine have both been out on little adventures from coming to me at 9 months.

They live out 24/7 but for a couple of hours in the week (broken into slots) we do 'stuff'. sometimes wearing tack, some times walking over things. sometimes out in the lorry for a trip round the block. We learn manners on the ground from day one, simple stuff like moving over and backing up. This makes the bargy terrible 2s so much easier.

Our guys find the world one big adventure so while they are inquisitive we teach them about life. My 3yr old has been sat on a couple of times this summer and will be hacked lightly over winter (literally once a week due to work commitments) and the 2yr old will continue to walk out in hand and work on his ground manners.

I don't believe in leaving them 'to be a horse' until they are 4 is the best thing for the horse or the owners (my opinion obviously).

 

[SEL]

Mine have both been out on little adventures from coming to me at 9 months.

They live out 24/7 but for a couple of hours in the week (broken into slots) we do 'stuff'. sometimes wearing tack, some times walking over things. sometimes out in the lorry for a trip round the block. We learn manners on the ground from day one, simple stuff like moving over and backing up. This makes the bargy terrible 2s so much easier.

Our guys find the world one big adventure so while they are inquisitive we teach them about life. My 3yr old has been sat on a couple of times this summer and will be hacked lightly over winter (literally once a week due to work commitments) and the 2yr old will continue to walk out in hand and work on his ground manners.

I don't believe in leaving them 'to be a horse' until they are 4 is the best thing for the horse or the owners (my opinion obviously).

I agree - the best adjusted horses I have known were those that one way or another saw bits of the world as youngsters. Showing isn't everyone's cup of tea but it does introduce young horses to all kinds of things (other horses, funny noises, wavy banners, smelly burger vans, lorry parks etc etc).

The worst adjusted horse I know is one of mine who was dragged from a field at 5 having seen absolutely nothing of the world. We've never really managed to persuade her that the world is a nice, safe place to explore even 8 years later.

 

[Horseysheepy]

There is no right or wrong.

Leave in the field to play off their energy with their mates or a bit of fun stuff leading about and experiencing the world a bit, as long as they aren't allowed to get sour.

 

[dorsetladette]

I agree - the best adjusted horses I have known were those that one way or another saw bits of the world as youngsters. Showing isn't everyone's cup of tea but it does introduce young horses to all kinds of things (other horses, funny noises, wavy banners, smelly burger vans, lorry parks etc etc).

The worst adjusted horse I know is one of mine who was dragged from a field at 5 having seen absolutely nothing of the world. We've never really managed to persuade her that the world is a nice, safe place to explore even 8 years later.

Yep - my lad (3 yr old) has been to many different types of venues. indoor, outdoor, on grass, with speak systems etc etc etc. The only thing we haven't managed is a big county show due to covid. Our local county show was separated down into equine, cattle, sheep etc as separate events when we went. He will definitely see this next year in hand before we do under saddle.

The 2 yr old finds walking out in hand a little to exciting and struggles to keep his feet on the ground. We will continue to work on this and hopefully take him out to a few low key events over winter. He will be a slow developer both mentally and physically.

 

[splashgirl45]

I showed mine at 2 and 3 years old , when she was 3 I walked out with my friends when they went on a hack so she was used to standing still waiting to cross roads, behaving while horses trotted and cantered away and back , went through the forest and walked over little logs if they were in the way, I sat on her at 3 in the field and just did walk on and halt, then left her till she was 4 and sat on again and hacked out with the same horses she had been out with in hand. I think it made her a well rounded horse who was a calm hack ..

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Our guys find the world one big adventure so while they are inquisitive we teach them about life. My 3yr old has been sat on a couple of times this summer and will be hacked lightly over winter (literally once a week due to work commitments) and the 2yr old will continue to walk out in hand and work on his ground manners.

This is interesting as the guy who backed Dex very lightly said that it wasn't really good to properly start them until you can keep on at it consistently, little and often - by which he meant about 4 times a week of about 15 mins at a time.
Then again, he backs a lot of racehorses and other eventing types, so maybe he's more used to the performance types with a busier brain...

 

[Caol Ila]

This is interesting as the guy who backed Dex very lightly said that it wasn't really good to properly start them until you can keep on at it consistently, little and often - by which he meant about 4 times a week of about 15 mins at a time.
Then again, he backs a lot of racehorses and other eventing types, so maybe he's more used to the performance types with a busier brain...

Yes, that was also what I've heard from experienced trainers, so that's what I did. It also suited her -- being a PRE, she has a very busy brain and wants to do things. She was 4.5, though, so I felt okay about the slow and steady increase in workload. Had she been backed at 3, I might have done things differently.

 

[ihatework]

3 in the lead up to backing

As long as they lead and yield to basic pressure (ie turn quarters or back up if asked) I just leave them be.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Yes, that was also what I've heard from experienced trainers, so that's what I did. It also suited her -- being a PRE, she has a very busy brain and wants to do things. She was 4.5, though, so I felt okay about the slow and steady increase in workload. Had she been backed at 3, I might have done things differently.

Dex has a fairly active brain, but isn't hot by any means, just fairly clever/inquisitive and needs stimulating. I likely won't get much out of walk for a good couple months when he's first ridden away anyway while he builds up and we learn buttons, but it makes sense from a 'this is your new routine'/consistency perspective.

Dex only just turned 3 when he arrived in May and I cracked on with groundwork straight away, he's been out in hand, just started long reining (3 weeks after being very lightly backed - I did it backwards!), and does a little bit of going over poles in hand.. I think it's good for them, and with a now-17hh 3yo, it was important he saw those things before he's fully mature and full of his own self-importance

 

[dorsetladette]

This is interesting as the guy who backed Dex very lightly said that it wasn't really good to properly start them until you can keep on at it consistently, little and often - by which he meant about 4 times a week of about 15 mins at a time.
Then again, he backs a lot of racehorses and other eventing types, so maybe he's more used to the performance types with a busier brain...

We won't 'just hack' once a week.

He'll still do bits in the week like he is now, the hacking will be something 'on top'

I suppose it depends on how quickly you want to produce them. I have no intention of rushing him as he isn't going anywhere. He has a busy brain but is still out 24/7 with friends to entertain him.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

We won't 'just hack' once a week.

He'll still do bits in the week like he is now, the hacking will be something 'on top'

I suppose it depends on how quickly you want to produce them. I have no intention of rushing him as he isn't going anywhere. He has a busy brain but is still out 24/7 with friends to entertain him.

No criticism, it's just interesting to see different approaches.
I think the advice I was given was like little and often training, little bits of ridden to keep the new skill current and consistent and well ingrained rather than with a view to produce him. He also said it would be less of an event when you did it if you did it little and often.. Horses for courses and all that

 

[Birker2020]

What age would you start more than basic groundwork with a youngster? I'm thinking horse agility/trec type things in-hand, not lunging or long-reining.

He leads nicely, ties up for the farrier and will halt/walk/back-up in hand. I don't do anything with him other than that at the moment. Lives out 24/7 in a herd of 6.

Just looking for some opinions, so not saying what age he is.

Someone I used to know years ago on another yard used to take her horse out in hand on the roads and lanes by her yard. She spent hours doing this and the horse had seen loads of heavy traffic by the time he was five and she was hacking him out.

 

[Somewhat Off The Way]

Interesting, thanks for all the responses. I've always thought leaving them til around 3 / 3.5 years old with just very basic handling was the way to go. But I've recently been gifted an 18 month old who is turned out with older herd mates and seems quite mature for his age. Just wondered if cracking on with a bit more groundwork would ruin him.

Think I'll start with some 15 min in-hand walks and go from there! I guess he'll tell me if it's all a bit much.

 

[millitiger]

The age old answer- it depends on the horse!

My Welsh 2yro has been to an in hand agility day and to 2 local shows.
He was very relaxed, calm, took it all in his stride and loved his outings.
He's also been for 5min walks around the village and loves meeting everyone.
He now nickers at me when I get the lorry out to take the adult horse on outings and looks very keen!

My other 2yro has taken most of this year to lead from field to stable and back again in a truly relaxed manner.
If I took him on outings, it would set him back a long way in his mental state and confidence so we don't do it.

Most of mine I haven't taken out until they were under saddle- my welshie is a very different beast!
Looking very happy and relaxed at the show on the weekend

 

[dottylottie]

I agree - the best adjusted horses I have known were those that one way or another saw bits of the world as youngsters. Showing isn't everyone's cup of tea but it does introduce young horses to all kinds of things (other horses, funny noises, wavy banners, smelly burger vans, lorry parks etc etc).

The worst adjusted horse I know is one of mine who was dragged from a field at 5 having seen absolutely nothing of the world. We've never really managed to persuade her that the world is a nice, safe place to explore even 8 years later.

echo this - 10 year old who was left in the field until she was 7 is scared of her own shadow, whilst the 4 year old who was just treated like a horse (after spending a little while at grass livery) is bold as brass and up for anything.

i do think you can have the best of both worlds - leave them to live out with appropriate company, and a couple of times a week get them out for a bit of “grown up” practice!

 

[P.forpony]

I may be in the minority here, but my yearling does something 4-5 days a week.
He comes in every day with the ridden horse and gets his feet done and a groom, put in the stable while I ride or spends some of the time tied up on the yard.
He does a mix of ground work, and walks round the farm and through the village to the pub!

I think it's a balancing act which massively depends on the animal and the circumstances though.
Mine is a 6.2 mini shetland, he shows, and if when mature, he is suitable in confirmation and temperament I will get him graded and performance tested and keep him entire.

So my routine with him is based on the perpetual pony weight management, and the endeavour to produce a well mannered and socialised potential stallion.

He's basically bombproof in traffic now, I wear high viz but people often don't see him in time to slow down so tractors, busses, motorbikes are all a non issue. And he will stand patiently to be fussed over by noisy small children and have photos taken by curious adults while I have a lemonade in the beer garden on a Saturday afternoon.
Not my usual young horse routine! But it works for us

 

[fidleyspromise]

I've a 2 Yr old. He enjoys going out for walks and it means he sees people, dogs, other horses hacking are very exciting and cars.
We do little bits of groundwork a couple times a week but no more than 5 minutes- leading, stopping, turning, back up, walking over poles and pallets (I've got a pallet with carpet attached. I find it's good for getting them to step up/down like a ramp as well as thinking a out their feet).

 

[ycbm]

This is interesting as the guy who backed Dex very lightly said that it wasn't really good to properly start them until you can keep on at it consistently, little and often - by which he meant about 4 times a week of about 15 mins at a time.
Then again, he backs a lot of racehorses and other eventing types, so maybe he's more used to the performance types with a busier brain...

I was told when you back them you get on them every single day without fail for the next 60 days.

It made sense to me, though I haven't always felt I needed to do every single day.
.

 

[Shoei]

I've been doing little bits with mine since a weanling, but not on a regimented basis. Sometimes his brain is clearly in need of a bit more to keep it busy! He was 2 in May and has recently been bitted, we will be upping what we do over winter but this is all on the basics of having manners.

It's always interesting to see how others do it! I don't think there is a wrong way. I have one, who was left out in a herd as a horse and not broken until 6..... he's always been very anxious. Which is how I started down the TRT route.

With Ray, his breeder did lots with him to get him confident at weaning, and I have continued this, with daily handling. He's been treated exactly like the other horses, coming in at night most of the time. I don't know how much of this is down to his character but so far he's been super polite and is a very chilled and brave chap. I just pray this continues to his ridden career

 

[Errin Paddywack]

My first ever youngster was an 18 month old welsh gelding. I took him for walks on the roads every weekend and just taught him the basics of lunging. Nothing strenuous, just how to go round me and obey voice commands. He grew up into a pony I could go anywhere on, and did. He was a lovely forward going ride and nearly bombproof.
When I started breeding then once the foals were weaned, usually had two at a time, my sister and I would take them for walks on the roads at weekends, they were well handled and that all reflected on how easy they were to handle later on. Quite a few went on to be shown and I never had any problems with them. I don't believe in over handling but anything that helps prepare them for adult life has to be beneficial in my eyes.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I have always said a loud owner makes a quiet horse. It's interesting to hear people who have had horses started late and they haven't ever really settled down in the world.
We have YOs collie on the yard who will circle/herd and bark at the horses when she's having an exuberant day, the YO always apologises but I think it's great, it will happen one day in the woods while I am ridden and I would rather it's not too much of a shock.

There's lots you can do too that doesn't involve too much strenuous work, or going out on the roads etc. I shake out bedding bags loudly when he's in the stable and I'm bedding up, I leave his lead rope trailing to nip off and do something if needed, I gently let the gate touch his hindquarters when leaving the field, I have hung hi-vis tabards on his ears/across his face, wrapped the lunge line around the back of him and put pressure on so he learns that the only way to get himself out is to pause, think and follow the pressure, not panic. We have a rule that if he spooks at it, he wears it as a hat. This was all following ground work in the school though to teach him the answer to unwanted pressure is to deescalate and stay still, not move his feet and panic, so I haven't just set out to scare the sh!t out of him with it all.

On our first time out the yard and up the single track lane, a 7.5t good lorry followed us 150m up it to the next layby, and I really think doing all the above helped him be entirely unphased by it. If I see a rattly trailer coming I will purposefully wait for it to go past him, even if we're on the driveway, just so he can see it. I also walk him slightly off the trails up on the Downs so the terrain is tricker, I believe it helps with their proprioception.