Worth a read for those of us newish to horses or even the not so new

[TrasaM]

http://www.queryhorse.com/toppages/articles/step2-getouttamyspace.asp

I've been working on some of those exercises with my share cob and found that they really work. I've just discovered this website this morning when looking for new ideas about training and de spooking as I've taken on a new share horse.
The initial stages outlined here have turned ASBO cob, bargy and inattentive into Angel cob. He is respectful and leads like a lamb and even when I made a big mistake yesterday in leading him through a narrow gap with another horse I did not get pushed or run over.
Really well worth the effort putting the time in on ground work to gain their trust and respect


Posting in case others might also find it useful thank you for reading.

 

[Gasper]

This is Parelli under a different label , but works a treat

 

[sarahg83]

I cant wait to get my horse, one of the things im looking forward to mast is the ground work.

 

[TrasaM]

This is Parelli under a different label , but works a treat

I guess the Parellis just took a selection of tried and tested methods and marketed them really well I like how she explains things but I'm going to try printing it off so it's easier to reference and absorb x

 

[TrasaM]

I cant wait to get my horse, one of the things im looking forward to mast is the ground work.

I'm the same but I've borrowed two to practice on meanwhile and I've got another one lined up to experiment with. it's really rewarding when you see the change.

 

[sarahg83]

I guess the Parellis just took a selection of tried and tested methods and marketed them really well I like how she explains things but I'm going to try printing it off so it's easier to reference and absorb x

I went right off anything parelli when the did whitikers horse, i think they have made a fortune out of marketing something they don't really use behind closed door. I like some of the "natural horsemanship" methods for want of a better word, but i refuse to pay for anything parelli.
I went to a monty Roberts demo once and have to say he was amazing. There was a girl who i knew whose horse was a nightmare, no one would go anywhere near it. She could not load him, so rode for 4 hours to get the hrose to the demo, monty had the horse in the box in about 15minutes without any problems. The horse has loaded no problem ever since.

 

[Brightbay]

Stand in front of your horse, but slightly to the side so that if he goes forward, he won't run over you. Grab your horse's nose and apply pressure with your fingers along his nasal cavity until you are cutting off some of his air intake like a hackamore would. If he tries to avoid this with his head, you need to try to stick with him and not lessen your grip

That's how they suggest you teach a horse to back up? Really? Alternatively you could take a small step into your horses space, while gently putting a little pressure on the lead rope, and when they unweight their front foot, release and step away. Repeat, waiting for a little more upwards and backwards movement... continue, until the horse actually lifts a front hoof intending to step backwards. Stop, reward and praise. Continue, waiting for the horse to offer a little more each time.

Or you could just grab their nose. Personally, I'd have more time for the trainer who took the second approach, and I'd tend to hightail it up the field when I saw the first trainer approaching with their whip and headcollar, but each to their own

It's not necessary to be quite so confrontational as this piece suggests, unless you really want your horse to fight back...

 

[sarahg83]

I'm the same but I've borrowed two to practice on meanwhile and I've got another one lined up to experiment with. it's really rewarding when you see the change.

I never really gave it much thought until i had my youngster years ago, and i was lucky enough to live near a girl who did everything and anything with her horse from the ground, her horse was the most amazing horse i have ever seen that's not on the TV. She taught my horse Spanish walk, which i thought was amazing and loads of other nifty things. But the best bit about it all was how trusting the horse becomes from a few simple ground exercises. It really helps build a really strong bond with the horse, and they become so trusting and anything you teach from the ground can usually be converted to use in the saddle.

 

[TrasaM]

Ah .. Didn't read backing up section as cob has mastered that now. Don't think what I did was that different to the article though. Hand on nose yes, but didn't try to block his airways off.

 

[TrasaM]

But the best bit about it all was how trusting the horse becomes from a few simple ground exercises. It really helps build a really strong bond with the horse, and they become so trusting and anything you teach from the ground can usually be converted to use in the saddle.

I've been doing lots of reading up on this..different methods etc but the big message in most is getting the horse to trust you on the ground first so that it thinks of you as the leader and then it's less likely to panic/spook when ridden.. Fingers crossed that's true lol. Having seen friend's back their horses all the emphasis was on getting a saddle on it's back and ride it. Very little time was invested in basic ground work and it shows. Shame, as they learn so quickly too.

 

[sarahg83]

I've been doing lots of reading up on this..different methods etc but the big message in most is getting the horse to trust you on the ground first so that it thinks of you as the leader and then it's less likely to panic/spook when ridden.. Fingers crossed that's true lol. Having seen friend's back their horses all the emphasis was on getting a saddle on it's back and ride it. Very little time was invested in basic ground work and it shows. Shame, as they learn so quickly too.

I have to admit i was very much of that mindset too, i figured as long as all the basic necessities were done, such as grooming, feet being lifted and being lead there was not much else to be taught apart from a bit of long reigning. The ground work seemed to be the boring bit that had to be achieved before you could move forward.
Well my thoughts have completely changed now, groundwork can be really good fun, and i think you get to know your horse much better if you spend lots and lots of hours working from the ground. I am so glad i met my friend who has taught me loads of groundwork exercises. I have also read loads of different books, so i cant wait to test a few new thing out when i get my horse. I will deffo being going to a few clinics for groundwork when i get my horse as i enjoy it soo much and i really like hearing from other trainers who use slightly different methods from the ones i have been taught.
There are literally hundreds of things you can do with a horse from the ground and its so much fun.