What is the purpose behind teaching your horse personal space? We teach horses to respect our personal space for safety and manners. A woman I knew told me that if your horse is walking right beside you, spooks and bolts you'll get run over. She always said to keep the horse 2-3 feet away or an arms distance from you. Not only does teaching personal space help avoid being trampled it also helps to avoid being crowded, knocked in the head by his head and swatted by his tail. 

The goal of teaching personal space is for the horse to learn not to step towards you, swing his head into your bubble or step on your feet. All while standing within two feet of him. 

Here are some basic steps in teaching personal space. 

1) While leaving your horse briskly stop him. 

2) Stand 2 to 3 feet away from him facing forward at the midpoint of his neck. 

3) Determine what size your bubble is and don't move your feet throughout this exercise. It'll be easier to start with a smaller zone first, then expand until your comfortable. It'll also be easier to reposition the horse without moving your feet. 

4) Anytime your horse invade you bubble send him away with the following methods: 

*use the halter to reposition his head

*use a wave in the rope to move his neck over

*use you elbow or whip butt to reposition his shoulder. 

Common problems that can occur would be if your horse swings his head into your space.  Use your lead rope to pitch a wave at the horse's cheek to send his head outside of your zone. If you're not adept with the rope, practice until you are. The rope correction is better than a push with your hand on his cheek as that can easily turn into a game or ping pong match. Don't be afraid to use your elbow or whip butt either, it won't hurt. 

Another issue is when your horse bends his body and moves his shoulder and left front foot towards you. Quickly use your elbow or whip butt to move him out then straighten him. 

What's the key point? Stand your ground. Moving your feet teaches the wrong lesson, he will learn if he invades your space he can make you move. Beware this lesson when you pass through a gate as the horse will crowd you to swing his head over you or get past you.  That's a rather dangerous scenario should the space be tight and you get hurt. 

Keep increasing your zone and try this exercise at different angles. In time it'll work. 

I recently got a book from the library,  101 Groundwork Exercises for every Horse and Handler by Cherry Hill(she's a brilliant author, love her books), that I wish to read and use at the stable I volunteer at. The instructor and I are brainstorming ideas for lessons for the students. I'm the only one who's ever done groundwork, though not a lot, and usually the one who is picked to teach the lessons on groundwork. This book should give good ideas but first I want to try them with each horse as some of them will kick or try to drag you. I want to make sure the kids will be safe when doing these exercises. The one I walked you through on Personal Space is from her book. It does work too. 

Have a happy ride, I'll write more soon. 

The adventures of horse sitting is next to come, haha