Ground work excercises

[rlhnlk]

Hi

I'm looking for some ground work excercises to do with my toddler. She's a 2yr old ISH and is already standing at 16.1 so I feel now would be a good time to start some basics. She's fine to lead but does get bored so anything to occupy her for her daily 15 mins of work would be handy.

I'm trying to avoid lunging as I feel its too much stress although i'm going to start long reining soon.

I dont care if your suggestions are based in traditional, natural or parelli, I will only pick those that I like the sound of.

I'll share my bar of galaxy for any suggestions thanks all.

 

[Tiaan]

Bombproofing! - Plastic bags, tarpauline, bells etc

Getting her used to the bit, ie putting a bridle on then walking her in the school initially along the side next to the fence and get her to bend her head in your direction, and reward for any improvement this will help her understand what the bit is for.

Have Fun!

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Take her for in-hand walks round the neighbourhood. Start small and easy and work up to seeing sheep in fields, other horses, walkers, dogs, plastic bags, wheelie bins and even a bit of traffic if you feel she's ready for it. Enjoy!

 

[fitzaud2]

Have been there with bored two year olds. You might think i'm mad but i would turn her away until she is three, made that mistake twice, and over handled as youngsters, oh my god, did i pay for it when i started working them. this is what i think went wrong: Majorly over handled as youngsters,didnt make pets out of them, but at the same time, no fear. During their winters, in at night, out during the day, fed well, prob very well, so when i put them to work as three year olds, I got MAJOR attitudes!!. From what I can see, they had the best life going until i put them to work, in at night, out in the day, no work to do and being fed, when i started lungeing, etc, major attitude, as if "I liked my life as it was, dont go adding anything". It took ages for me to get them working, and wuldnt go there again. You learn by your mistakes, or, as i love about this, by sombody elses. !!!

 

[splashgirl45]

i walked mine out in a bridle with my friends when they went for a hack, i was a lot fitter then, it taught her to be out with other horses and get a nice lead past scary objects and traffic. i also got friends to trot and canter past her so she didnt freak out if her friends left her behind. i also took her to about 4 shows and did in hand classes. when i finally rode her out she was very chilled about everything, but have to say she had a good temperament anyway.. i had no problem with her accepting work, she seemed to thrive on itonce she was fully grown..

 

[Jennyharvey]

You could maybe start teaching her to bend and yeild a bit. Try asking her to bend her neck round to were your foot would be, nice and lightly. The aim is to get them really soft, so when you are riding her, all you have to do is gently ask and she bends for you.

Also asking her to back up is a god exercise. You can ask it by holdng the halter and askng her back that way so she learns to be soft. If she is a bit heavy in your hand to backup, tap her chest or leg with the lead rope or a stick, just to encourage her to move her feet. This is better than just pulling her back because they can learn to lean on you.

Then when she can bend her neck well, see if she can move her hindquarter over too. If you ask for it where your leg would ask wen you are on her. Makes communication easier when she is backed.

You ideally want her to keep her head round to you, and soft. You dont want to let her lean or pull against you. You can do this in a halter, and a bit.

Then you could ask her to move her shoulders around her hindquarters. Do this by standing in front of her and move her head to the side. Move sideways toward her head and tap her shoulder with rope to encourage her to move over. Ideally her hindquarters should stay still.

When you can do all these, what i like to do is try it with the flag. If the horse is heavy and reluctant to move his feet when i ask, then i will use the flag first. This way i dont have to physically push him or pull him, i can use the flag o get him to move his feet.
A plastic bag on the end of a schooling whip works well.

Se if you can do all these exercises without touching the hrse. Backup, just stand in front of the horse and raise your hands, move toward him sort of pulse your hands toward him, to ask him back. If he doesnt move, use the flag in front of him to reinforce your ask.

You want to get him use to the flag a bit, and be able to touch him all over with it. But dont desensitise him to it yet. Its ok if he is a bit weary of it, its easier to get him to move his feet with very little pressure.

Im sure this is quite a bit to practice if your interested, so best of luck. There is much more you can do with a 2 yr old without stressing joints, you can pm me if you want more exercises.

Good luck and have fun