When we ride our horses we are asking a lot from them physically mentally and emotionally. 

Physically we want them to carry us, our weight and the saddle too. Their muscles and joints and bones must endure this heavy combo for however long we decide to ride them. It is the equivalent of us carrying a heavy backpack and physically working for long periods of time. At the end of the day our muscles scream and joints and bones complain loudly to us. 

Mentally. We ask that they be ready for this strenuous workout we have prepared for them. We ask that they are mentally willing to do what we ask. Mentally to be willing to allow us to ride them without protest. It is the equivalent of what was stated before. Like when we carry a back pack for long times in school or when we have a job(mucking stalls heaving hay bales) we need to be mentally prepared. To have a good attitude while we work. Horses are a prey animal. We are predators. A predator riding a prey animal is very stressful. A predator asking a prey animal to trust them is even more stressful. Knowing this we still ask them to be mentally and physically ready for us. 

Emotionally  we ask that they are in a good attitude or mindset to go through our tasks. We'd much rather deal with a horse that has a friendly, happier attitude than a horse with a bad attitude. The difference between emotionally and mentally is mental is a mindset you must work to get out of. Emotional is a feeling, a choice, an action we choose to feel. At least, that's my view. When we work with our horses we reward a cheerful, willing response over a hostile,  contrary response. Still,  we ask a lot of our horses. 

Before I ride Cody, or use any horse or pony, I longe them. I found with the horses at the Beekman Therapeutic Riding Center that when they were longed and worked with before a lesson, they had a better attitude. Now, I am far from an equine expert and even farther from a trainer or teacher.  But as I worked with some of these horses and ponies I began to devise a theory. When I lunged the horses I noticed they became looser in their movements and could hear their joints popping. As we transitioned from a trot to a canter their movement and legs and neck stretched farther and moved with an easier ability. When I did the 'seven games' with them, and corrected their naughty behaviour that they normally get away with, I noticed I got better responses during lessons and the students did too. It was the same for Cody and myself. Not only did I get to watch him relax physically and mentally, I too relaxed. When we went to do our normal workout it went smoother and better than had I not longed and done groundwork.  This is why I developed the opinion that a horse should not be ridden unless longing and groundwork have been done. Allow me to explain my theory. 

For a green horse . one should definitely do groundwork and longe work. A green horse, by definition, is a horse with little to no training. After reading tons of articles, listening to Julie and witnessing it, I am a firm believer that work on the ground will build a stronger, more trusting relationship. Even if you choose not to do natural horsemanship with your horse just working on the ground helps.  If the horse trusts you on the ground, he'll be more willing to trust you under saddle. 

A mone experienced horse. . should definitely have longe work too. Yes, he's more experienced than ole' greeny is, but I still think you should continue the groundwork. It helps refresh old training, loosen up the horse and allow for him to get all his kicks and bucks out without you on him. It is a good way for you to see where your horse is at mentally and physically. Lungeing will allow your horse to loosen up his joints and muscles and really stretch it on out. Groundwork is good for getting your horse's atttention and focus and also a good way to nip naughty behaviour in the bud. I also found lungeing was a good way to have time to relax yourself before getting on. 

Lastly, a trained horse with tons of experience... all horses require lungeing and groundwork as far as I am concerned. Even a fully trained, bomb-proof horse can still need lungeing and groundwork done. Every dog has its day and Horses do too. All horses should have down time to loosen up and get their jitters out on the line. Lungeing and groundwork can be a good way for them to alleviate any stress too. 

Okay, okay, bottom line? Bottom line is half the time I work with Cody I'm learning..... Okay, more than half the time. Everytime I read an article, watch a show, visit with Julie and read a book I learn something new. Everything I experience I take with a grain of salt and treasure as pearls of wisdom. This article, this writing, this theory and thought is what I have deduced and learned from dealing with Cody, reading articles and handling different equines of different personality's. It may need more sculpting and TLC but that's kinda why we learn first try later. 

Have a happy ride, I'll start writing more and tomorrow should prove interesting.