Ground work - Fun schooling - Ideas please

[RainbowDash]

Hi all,

Warning potentially long post.

Whilst not entirely a new owner I've owned 'Boyo' (I call him that on HHO because he does have a Very distinctive name - 15ish yo Welsh x) for over a year. We really enjoy and get a lot of out of groundwork ( he is also ridden) - after a period of lameness/box rest/puncture wound/box rest we're up and running again .. Yay!!

Today I loose schooled Boyo for the first time - it did start as a normal lunge session but I unclipped the line and flapped the line and off he went.

I really think he enjoyed having a play and later on he walked along side me and then we 'trotted' - I love my pony!! - sorry to gush but he was soo good!!!

Anyway, I need more ideas for loose schooling - I'm thinking of getting book or several and having a look at some sites. I'm already collecting tarps, plastic haylege wrap, brightly coloured footballs, old pram, old bike to do desensitising training (Unfortunately I cant get hold of a cow or sheep but thats another thread).

What do you all do? I need inspiration and tips - recommendations of books etc.

Thanks all - sorry for length of post.

Chocolate Hob-Nobs and a glass of lush Pinot Grigio on offer for getting this far :-D

 

[PeckhamSpring]

Hmm, the most 'fun' I have had us just spicing things up a bit! I shared a cob once (before I got my own horse) - who had a large exercise ball (the ones you get in gyms) and he could okay football for hours with you on him! Made schooling much more fun!

Also, I find that simple changes I.e - trying without stirrups/bare back are fun! They challenge you as a rider but also help you with posture.

In a big believer in 'free time' as I feel horses need to just be horses sometimes!

Not sure if I've answered your question but hope I have helped somehow! X

 

[Morgan123]

Have you tried clicker training? That is fun for both of you. My horse loves playing football, and you can then easily teach things like spanish walk, etc.

 

[RainbowDash]

Thanks - great suggestions - I think I'll definately try those - he doesnt like footballs but thats added to my list - clicker training is something I have looked at - he's a quick learner - how do you suggest I begin? New to horse training TBH and I'm learning with him - we've made great progress so far x Just have to pluck up the courage to ride him bareback - work in progress - more me than him x

 

[Tayto]

I am trying to build a relationship with my new horse at the mo so the other week I set up a small obstacle course and lead her round it in hand. I had small garden windmills that she had to walk through, then we weaved in and out if cones that had rubber dinosaurs on top of them - if she knocked a cone the dinosaurs fell off which sent some of the horses taking part into a bronking fit accross the school haha! Then we went over some poles then the really scary bit - I tied some bunting to jump wings and she had to walk through the wings and under the bunting that was flapping about in the wind. After that she has to walk over tarpauline - we walked over it, trotted over it, stood on it and by the end she was trying to eat it!

Around the school we also had wheelbarrows with rugs in them, jump wings with scary cuddle toys on top etc. my horse was fab and took it all in her stride, even following me without being led for some of it! Some of the other horses taking part were not so impressed though lol!

 

[Tayto]

I am also picking up more things to add to our course - golf umbrellas (we have to hack round a golf course), a pram etc. Any other "scary" ideas would be appreciated!

 

[TommisMum]

book suggestions ... bombproof your horse or books by Richard Maxwell ... tarps and mattresses!
Also look at long lining that makes schooling different