Simple groundwork to help a horse relax

www.GaitedHorse...
Many horse trainers show groundwork as a big production involving teaching the horse "respect". Think of groundwork as a way to communicate. We want our horses to be relaxed and soft; I encourage people to slow down their movements overall and ask softly rather than harshly.
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[@Infamousbadwolf]

I love that you acknowledge mistakes that you made

[@whitneydevinney1267]

I love this video because most videos with training horses the trainers use horses that have already had some correction to the issue before recording and horse responds immediately to the correction being taught in the video. This horse actually seems like it hasn’t been taught much before hand and explains what she’s doing constantly through out to correct it!!

[@joangaruti1537]

She acts exactly like my horse. I tried this today and got good results. Thank you.

[@IvyS]

Wonderful!

[@abbys.280]

I love how calm you remain, after awhile you can start to see her acknowledged you more and more feeding off your energy. This video is important because sometimes, what can you do with an excitec horse in certian situations? It`s not like you can take them somewhere more controlled all the time, You break it down really well and in a relaxed manner.

[@ladynin1]

I love that you mention mistakes that you made! It shows that you are willing to grow. It also makes me feel more confident in training my own horses because if I make a mistake I know I'm not going to screw up my horse.

[@DanaGatlin]

So many trainers seem to focus on "move those feet!" I appreciate your soft approach, light pressure, and your willingness to critique your own work. Thank you! I would love to know more about the significance of licking the lips.

[@maiaolup2363]

Dana Gatlin Licking the lips or chewing means that your horse understands what you are asking of him/her and that from the understanding comes the ability to relax, that’s all I know about it anyway! But it’s a good thing 💖

[@jenniferharwood4296]

It shows they are thinking, processing, at a point of learning. It is also something they do when they are ready to join with you.

[@sarahwagland1559]

I think when they're anxious the mouth dries, when they relax they salivate and lick and chew as a consequence.

[@juliecrompton482]

The licking and chewing is significant as already described but it's also the moment that the horse changes from the sympathetic to the parasympathetic nervous system. In other words when they go from flight/ fight response to relaxed/ relaxing. So it's a good thing. Many horses yawn too 👍

[@kazzana9013]

This lady is soft, gentle, not intimidated, and patient so she will get the results. Good on her, she is taking her time, is aware of where the horses attention is, how relaxed the horse is, knows about pressure and release. I haven't watched the entire video, but my guess is she does not have years of experience behind her, but I commend her efforts and she has some good basic knowledge that will stand her in good stead. You go girl, you are on your way.

[@kevinschwartz1289]

Kazzana, that was the exact impression I got!

[@alicecohen4726]

Understanding with a good sense of where the horse is at mind and body.

[@gisellemeiranke4677]

Thank you for this video, I believe you explain and do great, it helped me a lot since my horse react the same way, and I love how gentle you are.

[@js1793]

Thank you, I think this was very thoughtful and well done.

[@robertschweitzer2124]

I'm new to riding and lunging my 17 year old horse that had never been lunged before. MAVERICK would do the same thing, can't wait to use these instructions and do it the slow, soft way without any pressure. TY

[@racheldutchak3980]

Great video. I loved how clear you were with every movement you ad the horse did. I subscribed to see more of your vids. Love how you owed your mistake, respect!! hard to fie these days. Looking forward to more vids

[@SLOROB55]

Thanks. Beautiful work. Hoping to learn much from you. My horse gets the pre purchase check tomorrow.

[@reneekh3599]

A friend of mine just picked a TWH rescue mare that is just like this MFT mare - except in black! LOL. - In 40 years I have never had trouble teaching a horse to lead with manners quickly, but this mare is quite the challenge! It's apparent she was allowed to walk all over people for a long time.... We have our work cut out for us! LOL. But it's nice to see how much softer & responsive this horse was for you in only 2 sessions. - There's lots of arm chair quarterbacks out there, isn't there? ;)

[@rajanikantmurgode]

Couldn't take my eyes off the horse. Great.

[@gladysvazquez8693]

Excellent video

[@lisaarends993]

Good info. I'll try this on my MFT mare. She doesn't lunge well at all. Similar to this mare. I like the approach.

[@coffeehugger]

This horse behavior is so identical to my own KMH that they could be twins. Bout ready to fall out of my chair here.

[@wbasmith3627]

You explain ev etching you and the horse Are doing excellently Everyone should video their training sessions .I was just wondering if these kind of session could be done in a hackemore.

[@IvyS]

What kind of a hackamore do you mean? If you mean a mechanical hackamore with leverage, I would say no. If you mean a sidepull, yes!

[@chloecameron3298]

My gelding lunges really well but sometimes he gets a little excited and starts cantering and bucking and pulls like crazy. Or refuses to stop. My coach told me if he won’t stop at your cue than make him go faster but my horse gets hyper when faster and pulls me. Than I get dizzy and cuts in my hand😂 I love him and will have to keep working on lunging🙂

[@IvyS]

Is he on 24 hr pasture? Does he get large amounts of grain? Have you done slow training on a small circle first?

[@SLOROB55]

If he isn’t dangerous the work you see here is much safer than a long line. You can turn his head and engage his rear with a short line. If he gets his head straight and the rope straight behind him he can pull you, your trainer, and all your friends.

[@gingerstephens8702]

This is my walking horse’s exact behavior

[@DanaGatlin]

very nice

[@bobkohl6779]

Best to establish ground work first. Nice job. Best just to shift yourself into neutral always around horses. They know your mood before you do. That mare I'm on was abused. 5 years to turn her around and into a 4 time state champion

[@jeanafowler1308]

I have a twh I recently received and she has a very vnatural go but a hard one to keep at a civilized attitude headin back to the barn

[@peachesvanderbilt9307]

Would you do this before teaching the horse to stay out of your space? I have a similar horse I'm working with; he keeps barging into my space but not out of disrespect so much as out of nervousness. I was taught the first thing to teach a horse is to respect your space but he doesn't have a clue what I'm asking him to do so I was wondering whether I should do something like you're doing here first? Great video!

[@racheldutchak3980]

yes i think that will work well. Stay by the shoulder with stick and make the horse move aroud your at your the space you like what she did. Also try taking your hands and just make a PUSHIG BACK movement with your arms ad hands high and push they horse off. that helped me to teach respect ad space with my geldig.

[@SLOROB55]

If he is timid and not aggressive standing tall, leaning in and stomping your foot may be all it takes.

[@lyndonjp]

I agree with ground work 100%, people do not do enough. However ! people say they Love there horse and yet use a bit to Great PAIN!! What a contradiction!! Use a rope halter, and achive a better connection and feel with the hosre. Timming, understanding and the correct use of pressure and release, will work wonders for you and the horse.

[@VeeTNABerney]

Nice attempt, but you are right to say you should've praised her more. Not bad, though. Just adopted a Tobiano Walker 6-yrs old ground broke. Starting her with me pushing, leading, talking, etc.

[@HeavensGateHorsemanship]

The slow way is always the fast way!

[@SLOROB55]

Love this video. So much more definition in her neck the second time so much calmer. Reminds me of John Lyons two inch lunge line. More! And more Liberty training. My timing is much worse than yours as far as rewarding softening.

[@terrywhitenight9188]

When she does something right , stop and let it sink in.

[@shermoore1693]

Painful to watch that poor horse going round in tiny circles. My instructor always said that lungeing should only be done 1) in circles of AT LEAST 20 meter diameter (making a horse curve unnaturally for more than one minute is a form of violence) and 2) never lunge a horse for more than 5 minutes in each direction. He must be SO frustrated. You can see that he tries to stop, maybe to have a bite of grass. Horrible. I would never do that to a horse, but unlike many, I love my horse.

[@sallypenno164]

You obviously don't know the difference between lunging and groundwork

[@johnnyboy5274]

This horse is not paying any attention to you at all, you need to have two eyes on you from the start. Do not walk backwards when circling. This horse is walking into you. You should lead the horse, not the horse lead you. These movements should all be done in a round yard first.

[@judithgraves8294]

Kart Kid - what do you know about horses? Can you not see that she's trying to get this horse's attention, without being unkind or forceful.

[@hannahfear5278]

Why can’t you just let her be? Or at least word your criticism in a kind way that’s more likely to be taken in

[@kirsty4187]

I feel sick to death at the mistakes I make with mine, feel like I'm ruining him and he looks miserable sometimes! Trying so hard

[@soniaperetti2066]

Vos sos quien pone nervioso al caballo, con tu lengüaje corporal brusco y tu trato brusco y poco definido para con él. De esa forma no vas a conseguir que se relaje trabajando con vos.

[@ebonypegasus9864]

I would not want a loose dog in the field when I'm working with a tense horse. I also wouldn't want to take my horse in constant tight circles like that, or let them so close into my personal space.

[@lechandler4041]

I think the dog is to keep it "real."

[@maiaolup2363]

I think she is doing many tight circles to get her horse to stop pacing as she is a trotter... Most horses, sure you don’t want them that much in your personal space but I believe she has purpose behind it.

[@kevind9073]

Don't get a horse then if you don't want your "space" violated

[@gerrycoleman7290]

You need to work on your timing and rhythm and feel.

[@gerrycoleman7290]

'not very polite'.........you are blaming the horse. It is not the horse's fault. It is you. The horse is confused and does not know what you want.

[@judithgraves8294]

Just as with Kart Kid, Gerry Coleman, what do you know about horses?

[@gerrycoleman7290]

Judith------I 'speak' and understand their 'language'. Oh, and I am smarter than the average bear.

[@judithgraves8294]

I asked because I clicked on your name and didn't find anything relative to horses. I found nothing at all.

[@gerrycoleman7290]

Judith-----I don't advertise. Word of mouth. I help local folks with their horse issues. Have used natural horsemanship methods for a number of years.

[@Jax8002]

Yes but what exactly IS your experience? You took a shot at a competent trainer, so I wanna see the goods.