In-Hand Ground Training Exercises
These essential Ground Training exercises help with basic ground manners, teaching respect and coping skills for both horse and handler. The exercises help with many issues including leading, trailer loading, mounting, and starting under saddle. Doing these Ground Training exercises can help build confidence and trust for both you and your horse for a good working relationship.
Tools needed: a whip appropriately sized to safely reach the haunches of your horse. A dressage length whip works for most horses. The whip is an extension of your hand. It is used to reward your horse or to increase the pressure if your horse doesn’t respond immediately when you ask them to move.
Do each exercise one step at a time, not rushing the movement.
Exercise #1: Back
Watch any herd of horses. The boss mare only has to pin her ears and the other horses back away in submission. Any time your horse is being disrespectful by pushing into your space or being inattentive, make them back calmly, one step at a time, until they are no longer resistant. Come back to this exercise as often as your horse needs.
Exercise #2: Shoulders
This is basically a turn on the haunches. When you first ask, a slight movement away from the tapping pressure is acceptable. However, by the end of the lesson you want your horse to do a proper crossover in a turn on the haunches.
Exercise #3: Side
This side pass exercise is a great way to sharpen your horse to your leg cues. Bump or tap where your leg would be on your horse.
Exercise #4: Haunches
When asking for this turn on the forehand keep safely out of kicking range. You might need to use a longer whip. Point at your horses haunches and when you do touch your horse with the whip be tactful. Set your horse up for success, and don’t start a fight.
Exercise #5: Step
This is a great command for trailer loading. It is also useful when you need your horse to take a step forward at the mounting block. Ask for a step, then be prepared to back if your horse tries to walk forward.