What groundwork for youngster and why?

Parker79

Parker79

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Hello - just wondering, what bits of groundwork do you like and dislike? What do you consider to be very important?

I have conflicting advice at the mo so I'm trying to get some opinions! I happen to dislike lunging youngsters because of the pressure on joints etc and my boy is big and slow maturing.
 
Depends on the age and stage of training - youngstock, general handling, leading, tying, loading, desensitisation work etc. Those coming towards backing, I'd long rein, rather than lunge, ride and lead out and general exposure to saddle etc. I'm not a fan of lunging either, though a small amount may be useful at times, depending on whether you have the facilities to free school, to allow the horse to become used to stirrups dangling by its sides.
 
Thank you JFTD, I cant freeschool which is a nightmare, have got someone who is willing to help me with longreining thank goodness...I'm not co-ordinated enough!!:D

He has had a lot of desensitising done before I got him...to the degree that he doesn't react to much now! its a bit of a nightmare if you do need to 'gee' him up! he doesn't react to flapping ropes, clapping. clicking or anything really!! but he has the ability to make you look a complete plank if you try to trot him up as he is pretty laid back!!:D

The reason I asked the question....I am doing lots of 'bits' with him, getting him used to tack, leading him out, backing up, basic manners etc....my instructor was keen for me to take this all a stage further and I felt it was all quite extreme, I do not really want him to walk sideways along a pole!

I know this sort of work can be beneficial...but I just wondered if many people do it? I get the impression from the horses I have known that it hasn't really made a huge difference and he did not enjoy the lesson.
 
You can start the basics of lateral work, turn on the forehand etc from the ground. Led work over poles, both at correct distances and jumbled so he has the think where his legs are (very good with a big slow horse as it always seems to take a while to get from brain to feet). Make pole mazes like a z shape and lead through doing 1/4 pirrouette and turn on 4 hand in corners. Long lining both in school and out if roads are quiet. etc etc.

How old is your horse?

personally I don't think horses should carry a rider until they are 3, neither should they be lunged. 3 onwards a short (10 min ) lunge once a week of so won't hurt then.

I have help in the summer and CBA in the winter. So I like to back a 3 year old, get it walking and trotting in the school and doing occasional short slow hacks (we have a great network of tracks) Introducing traffic etc. ( I do about 6 weeks, once or twice a week, so hardly more than they would do in the field) I then forget about them for the winter (apart for the basics) and start again the following spring, once the weather is nice, that way they already have a clue about what you are doing and can get on with it. I don't like to ask too much until they are 5 or 6. It's important to remember they are still growing and to do little bits at a time. I also find they have a short concentration span so keep things short and sweet.

If he is immune to normal geeing up methods try a crinkly bag on the end of a whip
 
I've never done that sort of groundwork. Loads of more standard stuff though, walking out either in hand or from another. Just getting used to the unusual becoming usual if that makes sense, so they become accustomed to doing whatever you ask, rather than being accustomed to specific exercises. Find that stuff like walking in & out of the bins on rubbish day serves as well, get some bombproofing in too. I'm not keen on lunging youngsters either. Maybe a few circles to get the concept but not as work.
 
Hi, I have a big slow maturing youngster who is backwards thinking, I find the groundwork with poles, backing over them or round an L shape is very good for helping him work out where his feet are. :)
 
Sorry, should have been clearer, I do Mozlars kind of polework, I meant I don't do stuff like walking sideways along them!
 
Thank you sooo much everyone!

My boy is 3 in 2 weeks. He is slow maturing so I am not backing him til next spring. For now the plan is to lead him out in hand then in the summer the yard will start leading him off the back of one of their quiet horses. I am getting a saddle already so he is used to having it on and stirrups etc.

I like the idea of jumbling the poles...get him thinking! he is very intelligent and loves to inspect everything. I have walked him over some raised poles, will introduce a bit more of this work.

Crinkly bag is worth a go....although knowing him he will just be trying to eat the crinkly bag!! :D:D

Thanks again everyone and here is the gangly man himself! (not the sleepy tb)

IMG_20120415_104841.jpg
 
He looks a lot like my boy from the photo..he also makes me look a right idiot if I were to try and trot him in hand..I think he would need a rocket up his a***!:D
 
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