Back in the days when I was training and showing hunters, the only groundwork we did with our horses was lunging to “get the bucks out” or take the edge off before riding.
Back then, we thought round pens were for cowboys and cowgirls.
My perspective back then was that groundwork involved pushing the horse around in endless circles until he was well behaved.
I didn't enjoy doing it and I don’t think my horses enjoyed it either. It was probably a good thing that I didn't do much of it back then.
Fortunately, my perspective about ground work has changed since then as I've gained more knowledge and a deeper understanding of horse behaviour. And what they really need.
Now, I understand that groundwork is much more than lunging or round penning. Much more than getting the horse to "move his feet" to get his respect.
What is Groundwork?
Groundwork is an integral part of working with horses at all levels of their training. It's really everything you do with your horse when you're standing on the ground:
- Leading and hand walking
- Grooming
- Feeding
- Tacking up
Even going out to the paddock or field to get the horse – it’s all ground work.
How you are with your horse on the ground is the most important part of building a deep partnership.
“Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it”. ~ Marian Anderson
Approach Your Horse Respectfully
How you approach a horse sets the tone for everything else you will do with him. It determines how the horse feels about you.
These questions represent your horse’s perspective of being with you:
- Are you a threat or not?
- If you are not a threat, will you keep me safe or make me more vulnerable?
- Can I relax because you are looking out for me or do I have stay alert for possible dangers?
If you want to establish a positive bond – a real connection – with a horse, then as soon as you meet him, you should be really looking for how he feels.
How does he approach you?
Does he ignore you altogether, push into your space or seem worried about you coming into his space?
The horse is looking at you with the same questions.
Taking into consideration the horse’s perspective of your interactions.
It’s not OK for you to assume to walk up and pat him.
It’s not OK for you to assume that when you ask him to move that he will say ‘yes’ without question.
It’s not OK for you to assume that he understands what you’re asking or that he is physically and mentally able to comply with your requests.
To understand the horse’s perspective, you must be willing to listen – to really listen - without having assumptions, preconceptions, and judgements.
Check your ego at the barn door or the paddock gate. Then check in with your horse.
"The saddest part about being human is not paying attention. Presence is the gift of life." ~ Stephen Levine
Listening To Your Horse
Your horse's behaviour is his communication. Everything a horse does is an expression of how he is feeling in the moment.
Listen to your horse by being present and noticing even the most subtle aspects of his body language, muscle tension and focus. (Click here to download my free guide to Subtle Signs Of Tension In Your Horse)
If you notice that your horse is anxious, distracted or stressed in any way, you can help him feel calm, relaxed and safe in your company through positive, meaningful ground work.
For example, if your horse can't stand still in the cross-ties, getting upset with him and telling him to "stand" doesn't address the stress that is causing his behaviour.
When you take your time to figure out why he is stressed and addressing that, he'll be in a better state of mind for riding. Taking that time may cut into your riding time, but a shorter, more positive ride is better for both of you in the long run.
What Your Horse Wants You to Know:
- I need to know who you are. Introduce yourself and greet me politely.
- Be clear about what you want me to do or to learn.
- If I don't do what you've asked, I didn't understand or it's beyond my mental and/or physical ability.
- Understand that I won’t forget a bad experience. But, you can help replace the negative memory with positive experiences.
- I need to learn new things in small parts so I can understand what you want me to do.
- I need time to think and process information.
- Keep my lessons short and don’t make me do the same thing over and over. Recognize and reward when I try.
- Respect my nature. Despite my size and power, I feel vulnerable.
- Pay attention to my mental and physical needs. I can’t learn or perform well if I am stressed, sick, injured, hungry, in pain or anxious.
- I don't have the mental ability to manipulative or deceptive. (I don't do things to test you).
- Always treat me with kindness and respect. That's the fastest way to earn my trust and respect.
"Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain but it takes character and self control to be understanding and forgiving." ~ Dale Carnegie
