| Groundwork training is an extremely important aspect | | | | regular and effective exercises on the ground will |
| of training your horse. It consists of a variety of | | | | assist positively towards developing this type of |
| different things including lunging techniques, working | | | | relationship. |
| with a lead rope, round pen work, and problem specific | | | | Your horse should always recognize you, the handler |
| exercises such as desensitizing the horse that may | | | | as the alpha leader. With you as the leader, they will |
| have a shying problem. It also helps to develop good | | | | respect you and your commands. It is unsafe if your |
| ground manners and overall good behavior of the | | | | he or she believes otherwise. Groundwork training |
| horse. | | | | exercises are done to let them know that you are in |
| Groundwork training allows you develop a good | | | | charge and not the other way around. When |
| relationship with your equine. This is important both for | | | | executed properly, these exercises provide leadership |
| safety and to ensure that you have fun in all aspects | | | | in every other thing you may do together, especially |
| of your equine activities. These regular training | | | | when riding. |
| exercises develop the handler's "horse sense". As you | | | | Learning good groundwork techniques is essential for |
| learn to watch their reactions and body language it will | | | | beginner riders and nervous riders. Beginner riders |
| better prepares you for more advanced riding. | | | | need to be able to understand the power of the horse |
| Many steps and stages go into the training of a horse. | | | | and how to be in charge of that power in order to |
| Groundwork exercises are the foundation of training. | | | | succeed in their riding career. Nervous riders often |
| The exercises should be conducted patiently and | | | | have a lot of different reasons for their fears. If their |
| gently, or you may find that the results will not be as | | | | fears can be identified, then specific exercises can be |
| effective. In order to introduce any new concepts to | | | | introduced to help overcome those fears. |
| your horse, a good training regime will ensure that you | | | | With a good foundation of regular and effective |
| are both ready for the next step in training. | | | | groundwork exercises, your horse will come to know |
| When you are able to "speak" to a horse in their own | | | | exactly what to expect from you. They will come to |
| language, you will find that they will develop a certain | | | | understand your body language and know that you will |
| confidence in you. This confidence will allow you to ask | | | | always be clear, patient and fair with him. There is no |
| them and they will respond willingly without fear or | | | | better foundation for a workable relationship with your |
| intimidation. Often this relationship is something that | | | | special equine friend. |
| many equine owners can only dream of. Conducting | | | | |