Groundwork/playing ideas :)

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emma.is

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Hiya guys, my girls having some back problems atm, the physios been to us and she's having treatment but for now she's off ridden work, lunging and long lining and I need to keep her mind working!

Does anybody have any ideas for her? I'm currently taking her for walks on the road but she's very good and I want to teach her something really :) I was looking into clicker training and de spooking, I just want to play with her really, try and have a bit of fun and keep her brain ticking, any suggestions? Pictures welcome! Choc chip cookies to all :D
 
The problem is that many of the activities you are considering are actually not good for her physical condition. I would guess quiet meandering around different routes would be the most you could do while she is recovering. Any "despooking" could well involve involuntary evasive movements which could be bad for her back.....take it easy!!
 
Wait till her back is better, then try some liberty.[ try a Hempfling approach- quiet work based on body language, rather than Parelli- which is all about sending on. And dont get me started on join-up, which is all about driving away. ]
 
Ask the physio. She may have stretches or movements that you can do to benefit her mind and back. I wouldn't do anything without consulting them first though.
 
Clicker training will benefit both her mind and her mood - the problem solving aspect is enjoyable and keeps horse entertained, and in a broader sense, it means the horse doesn't become listless and depressed when they have time off their usual activity.

Choose a few things that you would like to improve - it could be leading and stopping when you stop, it could be offering a foot for cleaning rather than having it picked up, and then holding it up without you having to hold the foot. You can improve things like "back" and "over" - see if you can train these without touching the horse or "driving" her. The horse doesn't know that these are simple boring routine tasks :D She just knows that she needs to work out what you want, like a puzzle, and when she gets it right, there's a reward.

Have a look at e.g. http://www.hannahdawsonequine.co.uk/ for ideas - she has some excellent videos :)

ETA done properly, despooking shouldn't involve any spooking at all, so would be quite safe ;)
 
Brightbay said:
Clicker training will benefit both her mind and her mood - the problem solving aspect is enjoyable and keeps horse entertained, and in a broader sense, it means the horse doesn't become listless and depressed when they have time off their usual activity.

Choose a few things that you would like to improve - it could be leading and stopping when you stop, it could be offering a foot for cleaning rather than having it picked up, and then holding it up without you having to hold the foot. You can improve things like "back" and "over" - see if you can train these without touching the horse or "driving" her. The horse doesn't know that these are simple boring routine tasks :D She just knows that she needs to work out what you want, like a puzzle, and when she gets it right, there's a reward.

Have a look at e.g. http://www.hannahdawsonequine.co.uk/ for ideas - she has some excellent videos :)

ETA done properly, despooking shouldn't involve any spooking at all, so would be quite safe ;)
Click to expand...

just what I was looking for thank you :) without knowing what is wrong with my mare I can't see how people know what is good for her and not? It isn't her back that is the problem either...
 
emma.is said:
Hiya guys, my girls having some back problems atm, the physios been to us and she's having treatment but for now she's off ridden work, lunging and long lining and I need to keep her mind working!

Does anybody have any ideas for her? I'm currently taking her for walks on the road but she's very good and I want to teach her something really :) I was looking into clicker training and de spooking, I just want to play with her really, try and have a bit of fun and keep her brain ticking, any suggestions? Pictures welcome! Choc chip cookies to all :D
Click to expand...

:confused:
 
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