I once heard Chris Irwin state in a clinic that the only real difference between groundwork and riding is that you are in a different location with respect to your horse. His point was that you can establish the relationship you want with your horse before getting into the saddle.
It is far easier to develop trust and respect and assert your leadership on the ground without your anxieties and less than perfect motor skills getting in the way. I know that without groundwork I would probably not be riding today.
Many people think that groundwork is only for those who ride western or who use
natural horsemanship techniques. At the Spanish Riding School, home of the famous Lippizan stallions, students are required to work on the ground with their horses for several years. No matter what discipline you and your horse are involved in, common sense dictates that if they don't respect you on the ground it isn't going to change when you are in the saddle.
I do groundwork with my horses every time I go to the arena. How much I do depends on what is happening with either of us that day. I can spend as little as five minutes before riding or I can stay on the ground for the whole session. What is important is that my horse and I have a successful experience that ends with him in a calm, receptive state, accepting me as his leader. I don't care where I am when we get to that point.
Groundwork is a good substitute when it is too cold or too hot to ride. It's a great way to calm your horse in new surroundings. It's an efficient way to work your horse consistently and regularly when you don't have time to tack up and ride.
Often people don't realize how much they can accomplish on the ground with their horse. They think that groundwork is limited to lunging. While lunging can be incorporated there are many other activities. Here is a list of activities that I have practiced with my horses while on the ground:
Ground tying
Standing still - a highly underrated skill!
Picking up feet
Lunging
Ground Driving
Speed and Gait Transitions
Directional control - turning, backing, side-passing, turns on forehand and haunches
Collection
Staying calm in scary situation
Staying out of my physical space
Standing quietly at the mounting block
Following without a lead shank
Many of the trainers I spoke about in my earlier post have great groundwork manuals and videos. They also offer workshops and clinics. There are some non-tradtional riding programs that incorporate groundwork skills in their lessons.
So start thinking about groundwork as an essential part of your training rather than a way to avoid being in the saddle. It's a lot of fun and it is worthwhile. People often comment about how much time I spend on the ground with my horses. Then they also comment on how well-behaved and responsive my horses are.
Next Post - The Art of Staying in the Saddle
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