Ground work exercises for horses Copy

Groundwork is an essential tool every equestrian should utilize. It is the gateway to strengthening your relationship with your horse as well as establishing yourself as the authority figure.

So what are the best groundwork exercises for your horse?  The best groundwork exercises are:

• Train your horse to stand still
• Train your horse to lead properly
• Train your horse to flex and soften to pressure
• Train your horse to go on a circle
• Train your horse to move the front-end and hind-end

Before You Get Started

Before you get started with groundwork, you’ll need:

• A rope halter
• A lunge whip
• A nice level area to work your horse

Ground Work

A rope halter is recommended for groundwork because a rope halter allows for the pressure applied to the lead to be felt more clearly by the horse. A lunge whip is used as a tool to get your horse to move. It should never be used to hit the horse, rather you can point it, wave it, or crack it.

Make sure you work your horse on a nice level area. This will ensure no twisted ankles between both you and your horse. Round pens are a great place to work your horse because the closed-off space offers less distraction for your horse.