fun groundwork games???

rowan666

rowan666

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im currently pregnant and have begrudgingly promiced my OH i wont ride till ive popped!, but i have a new lusitano mare and she has literally no life experience, roads are a big no and new experiences/places freak her out, so leading her out hacking is risky while i don't want to get knocked over!

having said all that does anybody know any fun, good for bonding, ground work games i can do with her?? shes very intelligent and im bored of just lunging and join up and i think she is too!! :D
 
The other day my gelding decided he was petrified of tarps and plastic feed bags..after being totally fine with them previously.

I took him into the school and put a couple of bags and tarps on the ground. I just led him around and let him have a look, sniff and snort. After 5 mins he was happy to nibble them. Another ten and he was following me, not being led, on and off all the tarps and bags. He still isn't impressed with having them anywhere near his body, but face and feet are fine!

Anyway...point of the story, try something like that?
 
We do things like me side stepping hen asking her to do it, pointing to hind end to move, lifting legs so Spanish walk. Walking forward then back wards. In and out of cones. All done at liberty and by copying me.
 
Echo what's been said, teach some lateral work, hips in, shoulders in, Spanish Walk, spooking like walking over tarps, obstacle course with brollies, plastic bags etc. How is she with loading? I've mocked up "trailers" in the school before using jump wings, poles & tarps - all good practise for when out in the big bad world! Stay safe though, won't you, & best of luck with the baby!
 
we do some copying things she'l walk forward, back, stand, walk and trot with me but that was completley off her own back without me directly asking. how do you ask then reward for things like that? i ide love to try more advanced things like that but was unsure how to go about it! :)
 
There's tons of info on the web about Clicker Training. I haven't done loads (although i know folk who have) but have managed to teach my cob Spanish Walk (although his version is the Scottish Stomp) & also one of my dogs to close doors (still working on not slamming them!). I don't actually use a clicker as such (cos i'd lose it!) i just make clicking noise (can't lose my mouth!!). It can get indepth but i keep it simple - ask for a behaviour (& sometimes out them in a position where they accidentally do it the first time), click immediately when they get it, then reward. I'm no expert tho - i've only dabbled!:)

Oh, just though of another good one for you! If i stand on the mounting block, i can click my fingers & my horses will move into place along side (this is especially handy when you are 5ft1 & your horse is 17.2hh - i've moved him alongside banks etc in the woods to get on!). You train this by teaching them to move into pressure when you tap them lightly with a whip - i then changed it to a swich of the whip without touching, then a click & then a snap of my fingers! It's very cool, even if i do say so myself!
 
Spook busting with umbrellas, bag-on-a-stick etc, playing with those big balls (I got a pilates ball for £3 from Tesco to start with), research clicker training and have a go at that, that would also help you train her.
I used to teach my horse to move each leg in turn by gently tapping front or back of each with a schooling whip, and a clicker & treats. That's really good for getting them to focus on their movement and where they're stepping.
Teach her 'head down' by putting a bit of pressure on her poll with your hand or a gentle pull on her headcollar - reward the slightest effort and keep working on it till she can lead with her head at wither height - this relaxes and calms them so you can work that into taking her out later on, after you pop, lol! ;D
 
eatmyshorts- that mounting block one is a cracker! definatly NEED to teach all of mine that one!

ill do some more research into clicker training i want to try the spanish walk, it looks so impressive

thanks all! :D
 
You can teach her to back up and go sideways then use obstacles to add interest - go sideways over poles or logs, back up over the log or a tarp, squeeze through narrow places....you are only limited by your imagination!!
 
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