Does anyone do regular groundwork?

Birker2020

Birker2020

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As I was so pleased with the improvement in Lari's topline and core strength, the result of four months of groundwork, I am determined to carry out one or two sessions of groundwork a week with any new horse I buy.

Sadly it wasn't enough for Lari who was too damaged but I think it would be really beneficial for both me and my next horse.

Does anyone regularly do this with their horse and what do you do and how often? Do you find it rewarding?
 

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I do little bite size bits as often as I can, and just try and incorporate it in my day to day with my boy, even while I'm just leading him from field to stable or when I have 5 minutes in the yard. I rarely enter the arena but am hoping to start some pole work etc in there when the days start getting longer 😊

Lari is beautiful 😍
 
Yeah, normally a session a week. More if we can't ride for whatever reason but I'd rather ride given the choice.

I try to do a few stretches and backing up daily with him too.

I definitely think it can help.
 
Yes, it’s all I’m doing with my girl at the moment in a bid to build up trust between us both. She is herd bound and nappy, with ex-racer education to unpick and a bit of 5 year old mare attitude thrown in for good measure 😂 I sometimes wonder what on earth I’m doing, and when I will just be able to go for a nice hack and not have to think about any of this (probably in about 3 years at the rate we’re going 🤣).
I’m having a groundwork lesson every 2 weeks; I’m roughly in your area so if you want a recommendation for a trainer (who isn’t all woo-woo but a kind, perceptive, and intuitive horseman) I’ll happily provide one. We are currently working on sideways - essentially leg yield right now, although will try to develop to half pass as we get better. Finessing the sideways along a pole, with front legs on one side and hinds on the other. She is a challenging little mare but when she gets it, she tries her little heart out. I’m actually really enjoying it, I only wish I had more time to dedicate to her. But there’s no rush. The only rush is my own impatience to get on with riding. I just have to tell myself to stop it! I’m learning so much about horses - and bizarrely, myself - in this process. It’s actually fascinating. Once I am back on board, I will definitely keep it up - it’s just so quick and easy to do, so perfect for when you’re short of time in winter or around work etc. No tacking up and you can even just do a bit in the stable or on the yard. Little and often.
 
Vermeer said:
I do little bite size bits as often as I can, and just try and incorporate it in my day to day with my boy, even while I'm just leading him from field to stable or when I have 5 minutes in the yard. I rarely enter the arena but am hoping to start some pole work etc in there when the days start getting longer 😊

Lari is beautiful 😍
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Thank you, he is so lovely, I totally adore him ❤️

He doesn't look like that now though as he's been in retirement on since April 2023 and looks like he did before I started work on him as he's lost all his muscle mass!

But it worked at the time.
 

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I do lots with them before and during backing, after which I have usually knackered my dodgy foot and hips again, then we work on topline etc ridden. By then we have the bond and ground manners needed though. If my ponies were to start to lose topline for any reason I would suspect an injury and investigate accordingly.
 
ponyparty said:
Yes, it’s all I’m doing with my girl at the moment in a bid to build up trust between us both. She is herd bound and nappy, with ex-racer education to unpick and a bit of 5 year old mare attitude thrown in for good measure 😂 I sometimes wonder what on earth I’m doing, and when I will just be able to go for a nice hack and not have to think about any of this (probably in about 3 years at the rate we’re going 🤣).
I’m having a groundwork lesson every 2 weeks; I’m roughly in your area so if you want a recommendation for a trainer (who isn’t all woo-woo but a kind, perceptive, and intuitive horseman) I’ll happily provide one. We are currently working on sideways - essentially leg yield right now, although will try to develop to half pass as we get better. Finessing the sideways along a pole, with front legs on one side and hinds on the other. She is a challenging little mare but when she gets it, she tries her little heart out. I’m actually really enjoying it, I only wish I had more time to dedicate to her. But there’s no rush. The only rush is my own impatience to get on with riding. I just have to tell myself to stop it! I’m learning so much about horses - and bizarrely, myself - in this process. It’s actually fascinating. Once I am back on board, I will definitely keep it up - it’s just so quick and easy to do, so perfect for when you’re short of time in winter or around work etc. No tacking up and you can even just do a bit in the stable or on the yard. Little and often.
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I'll give you a nudge if I need that number in the future thank you PP.

I learnt a lot about Lari doing groundwork and managed to build a good relationship with him. My physio mate gave me so much help and advice too. I did struggle at first with him biting, he was very food orientated and liked to mess around grabbing the line with his teeth but we managed to get round it eventually. The theraband saddlecloth system I used was great too.

My happiest memories were of him and I walking over raised poles side by side and he would peer down at which foot I was emphasising lifting it up in a certain way and he would lift his same foot at the same time, it always made me smile.

Then at the end of the line after having his treat he would take hold of the rope and 'lead me' back to the start to do it again. Bless him.

I'm glad your having fun with your mare. She sounds great.
 
He looks great.

I used to do loads of groundwork of the natural horsemanship sort, mainly with the unridable (kissing spines) girl to keep her sane, she was the best muscled horse on the yard. I don't really now because remaining horses are the lower energy sort and it feels a huge effort unless I'm specifically trying to correct an issue. It would probably benefit them though, I might incorporate clicker training to get them a bit more enthusiastic.

Interested to hear what people think of when they hear 'groundwork'. There's a lady on my yard currently lunging her 2 TBs for 30 minutes twice a day since they're stabled and it's too windy to ride them. It's groundwork and they do need to move but I'm not sure it's good for them.
 
I will add to the above that I'm not sure this livery has much choice. The horses aren't even really leadable and if she let's them lose in the school they deathwall round and skid into the fences.
 
Birker2020 said:
I'll give you a nudge if I need that number in the future thank you PP.

I learnt a lot about Lari doing groundwork and managed to build a good relationship with him. My physio mate gave me so much help and advice too. I did struggle at first with him biting, he was very food orientated and liked to mess around grabbing the line with his teeth but we managed to get round it eventually. The theraband saddlecloth system I used was great too.

My happiest memories were of him and I walking over raised poles side by side and he would peer down at which foot I was emphasising lifting it up in a certain way and he would lift his same foot at the same time, it always made me smile.

Then at the end of the line after having his treat he would take hold of the rope and 'lead me' back to the start to do it again. Bless him.

I'm glad your having fun with your mare. She sounds great.
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I started out using treats when I first got her, to get her used to picking her feet up and just general things like that. And I do use carrots for carrot stretches (not as often as I should!). But I find if I use treats for groundwork it takes away from the experience for us both as she’s just looking for treats all the time. We don’t have a school, we just use a field, so I had to get used to telling her in no uncertain terms that it isn’t grazing time..! She now rarely tries to snatch a bite of grass and isn’t all over me looking for treats. It’s more of a mutually respectful relationship (rather than cupboard love). Don’t get me wrong, she still gets a treat after we’re done or when I turn her back out, but I don’t find them useful for the teaching/learning process.

And thanks! She is sweet but challenging 😂 I really can’t wait for more daylight hours so it doesn’t feel such a horrific rushed slog. I do wish I had a floodlit school (or any school!) but it’s not essential.
 
Jambarissa said:
He looks great.

I used to do loads of groundwork of the natural horsemanship sort, mainly with the unridable (kissing spines) girl to keep her sane, she was the best muscled horse on the yard. I don't really now because remaining horses are the lower energy sort and it feels a huge effort unless I'm specifically trying to correct an issue. It would probably benefit them though, I might incorporate clicker training to get them a bit more enthusiastic.

Interested to hear what people think of when they hear 'groundwork'. There's a lady on my yard currently lunging her 2 TBs for 30 minutes twice a day since they're stabled and it's too windy to ride them. It's groundwork and they do need to move but I'm not sure it's good for them.
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30 mins twice a day. 😒 not advisable really, too much stress on the joints.

I used to spend 20 - 30 mins once a week lunging Bailey, sometimes finishing with a small jump a couple of times on each rein and a cool down on the walker. I also used to walk whilst lunging whuch had the effect of making the circle even bigger and using 'fresh' surface constantly

I never used any training aid just the dually and a long lunge rein to make the circle as big as possible for less stress on the joints.

Reining back in hand between poles and doing a labyrinth were good exercises.
 
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With treats mine have been taught that the click means 'yes, that's right, keep going' and my hand going to the bum bag is treat time. This way they're learning what I want rather than just doing a thing to get a treat.
 
ponyparty said:
I started out using treats when I first got her, to get her used to picking her feet up and just general things like that. And I do use carrots for carrot stretches (not as often as I should!). But I find if I use treats for groundwork it takes away from the experience for us both as she’s just looking for treats all the time. We don’t have a school, we just use a field, so I had to get used to telling her in no uncertain terms that it isn’t grazing time..! She now rarely tries to snatch a bite of grass and isn’t all over me looking for treats. It’s more of a mutually respectful relationship (rather than cupboard love). Don’t get me wrong, she still gets a treat after we’re done or when I turn her back out, but I don’t find them useful for the teaching/learning process.

And thanks! She is sweet but challenging 😂 I really can’t wait for more daylight hours so it doesn’t feel such a horrific rushed slog. I do wish I had a floodlit school (or any school!) but it’s not essential.
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Yes I used to do carrot stretches with both Bails and Lari everyday without fail, the stretch between Lari's front legs in particular encouraged him to engage his S.I, lift his abdominal muscles and to flex his thoracic sling.

Bailey had an issue with his neck so passive carrot stretches were great for relieving the tension.
 
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I think it depends what you mean by groundwork. It can vary from desensitisation work, training basic manners, through lunging, longreining, to in hand work. I do at least one session of in hand work a week. That definitely helps with posture, suppleness etc. Much of my in hand work is classically based, and I have spent quite a lot of time training with the Thurman-Bakers (other trainers are available). It makes a positive difference to my horse, and also gives variety to her work.
 
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Bits yes. Should do more but 3 to look after, keep fit and a job means I run out of time.

The Appy is one of those bright horses who never forgets what she's been taught but her body works against her (PSSM) so I don't ask too much. We've been walking out in hand trying to come down slopes slowly to engage her thoracic sling and stepping over logs. Went back to polework when it was frozen last week which she loves. Stretches work well for her after she's warmed up but muddy horse legs aren't great to handle before work.

The microcob has obviously been sent around on the lunge at warp speed at some point in her past so she's the hardest to work with because she won't relax in hand. Pick up a whip and she's off at the gallop. I've just started doing some in hand poles at walk.
 
I'd love some tips...

My horse needs to use their core more and without wanting to sound daft do you reckon there is anything to that you could do in hand to help improve a horse that is close behind...I.e can you strengthen and effectively reduce how close they are?
 
BMA2 said:
I'd love some tips...

My horse needs to use their core more and without wanting to sound daft do you reckon there is anything to that you could do in hand to help improve a horse that is close behind...I.e can you strengthen and effectively reduce how close they are?
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It's not daft. Sometimes you can't influence it but sometimes they're not building up the right muscles and if you can develop those everything changes.

For instance you may have quite flappy hindquarters in that bit to the right of the stifle joint, but tight muscles around the glutes or hamstrings. A good physio can help with the right exercises.
 
nikicb said:
I think it depends what you mean by groundwork. It can vary from desensitisation work, training basic manners, through lunging, longreining, to in hand work. I do at least one session of in hand work a week. That definitely helps with posture, suppleness etc. Much of my in hand work is classically based, and I have spent quite a lot of time training with the Thurman-Bakers (other trainers are available). It makes a positive difference to my horse, and also gives variety to her work.
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Sorry yes obviously you are correct. When I say groundwork I meant lunging or walking over poles and raised poles, reining back through poles, walking through a grid, walking over scattered poles, reining back between parallel poles, labyrinth, etc, etc.
 
I did a lot with Charlie at first because he was so weak through the back. I walked him in hand over poles and small jumps. I lunged him in walk over poles because it develops their core better than trot does. I backed him up regularly. With all my horses I treat every opening of a gate as an exercise in placing the feet where I want them and turning them on the forehand or haunches and backing up, instead of opening the gate wide and turning them on a circle.

I did used to turn my nose up at in hand a bit until I saw some demonstrated and realised how much of it I was doing anyway in basic handling. If you handle them from day to day with the idea that they get out of the way of you and of obstacles, instead of letting them move you or walk a big arc round obstacles like gates, you end up doing a lot of ground work. I wouldn't, for example, slide past the horse's shoulder to get into a stable, they must back up and give me room. It all adds up.
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BMA2 said:
I'd love some tips...

My horse needs to use their core more and without wanting to sound daft do you reckon there is anything to that you could do in hand to help improve a horse that is close behind...I.e can you strengthen and effectively reduce how close they are?
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I have seen an exercise where you lead the horse along a pole on the ground so that the legs are on either of the pole. I have no idea whether that's a recommended exercise or not but I'd probably try it unless anyone says it's a bad idea. You could increase it to two poles side by side later on if it works.
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Winter tends to be my groundwork time as it takes to long to get an unrugged pony clean to ride in limited daylight after-work. We started with desensitizing as she was anxious in the area and have moved onto poles and obstacles. I'd love to learn to do more and more consistently but I'm at the limits of my current skill and brain capacity. Post exams I might start an online course.
 
I do groundwork with both of mine at least twice a week as I can't ride as often as I would like because of my back.

I also do carrot stretches and tail pulls and leg twirls, and the thoracic sling stretch.
 
To be honest its not something I've ever really bothered much with, stupidly! I lunge and long rein a bit but that's it.
I took Ziggy for a ground work lesson before christmas and could see how beneficial it would be for him and i hoped a way of me doing something with him when the field was too wet to lunge and i had no one to ride with. It didn't really work out like that as at home (no lovely indoor school) keeping his attention as he is over winter just doesn't happen, I gave up on that plan unfortuntely.
I am taking my retired TB for the same lesson next week, he's more level headed and I hope it will give us something to work on for both his self carriage but also his brain!
 
I do, and their lateral work and general strength and balance really improved. I just do ten minutes if I can't ride, figure it's like me doing a bit of pilates instead of "real exercise" ...
These days I often start on the ground when I intend to ride as well - they seem to enjoy it and it's made me get a fuller sense of their biomechanics - I find I can microcorrect from the ground and it translates very well to improved ridden performance. Spanish Riding School I am not, but it's the same principles.
 
ycbm said:
I have seen an exercise where you lead the horse along a pole on the ground so that the legs are on either of the pole. I have no idea whether that's a recommended exercise or not but I'd probably try it unless anyone says it's a bad idea. You could increase it to two poles side by side later on if it works.
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That exercise was in ‘55 corrective exercises for horses’ book I bought. I really struggled to get Tali to figure it out, even by starting with front legs first. I can’t remember exactly what it works so will have another look through it. I should start doing more of it again but the weather is really not being kind so far. But that’s a really good book @BMA2 for some ideas.
 
Peglo said:
That exercise was in ‘55 corrective exercises for horses’ book I bought. I really struggled to get Tali to figure it out, even by starting with front legs first. I can’t remember exactly what it works so will have another look through it. I should start doing more of it again but the weather is really not being kind so far. But that’s a really good book @BMA2 for some ideas.
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I think it’s also mentioned on the Horses inside our website… I think she had a section on inhand exercises.

It’s actually really hard! Much harder than you’d think. I never cracked it… we could get front legs either side, but not back legs.
 
I love it so much, from more traditional lunge style work to in-hand, side pass, turns on forehand and haunches, and back up. I do the split-the-pole thing ycbm mentions. It's recommended as Amber tends to swing one hind out slightly as she brings it forward; the pole makes her straighter. We also do narrow corridors of poles to walk through. She does side pass without poles but we also put two poles end to end and side pass in hand across them, it's improved her ridden side pass so much. Amber also seems to really enjoy it, and we have quite a conversation some days. We also backup through the narrow poles corridor for straightness; if you can get a good straight backup, then backing up a 10-metre circle in hand or 20m are quite challenging.

ETA Splitting a pole is generally hard for them; go slow and don't overdo it. Start with a few minutes, and don't panic if you can't get the hind feet in the first few sessions.

Amber also stops on voice and is just about changing direction on a voice command now.
This all means she is very easy to lead even in bad weather, strange places, others going mad, etc. It also all helped with her loading.
This has reminded me I'd like to teach her to cross her front feet when I cross mine. :) Daisy can do that and bow.
It has also helped her associate the arena with quiet, relaxed, focused work, which has helped the ridden side.
She loves the mounting block game, races to the block, lines up nicely and stands still. This is great out and about as it means I can get on from absolutely anything. I click my fingers, and my taxi lines up perfectly. :)
Also, ground tying is worth its weight in gold, and she stands nicely whilst I get the poles out and put them away etc.
Yes, I have taken it to the point of dancing, clapping and shouting around her, and she just stands there looking at me, going you are an idiot. :D
 
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5 days a week as doing KS rehab, which will continue for the rest of her ridden life, if I ever get on her again.

Like you, when I get the next one I will probably carry on with groundwork, no school here just hacking so it makes sense.
 
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