Keep Your Horse Grounded

Starting horses right makes a huge difference once you start riding. I've found a big part of this comes to proper ground work before you ever get on the horse. They're less fearful because they trust you. They're less dangerous because they respect you.

The most lasting difference comes from getting inside their head. It is this that gets cooperation. This begins with a roundpen. All horses have options - they can work with us or work harder. Give the horse an option in the roundpen..."whoa". Soften your posture and approach. If he runs drive him away...YOU decide direction. Make him turn around and reverse direction by your body position.

Carry a whip as an extension of your hand. It's a barrier, a tool, *not* a weapon.If the horse challenges you, kicks or tries to run over you by all means lay into him (as another horse would do!) but for the most part the whip is to touch, to guide and direct not as punishment.

Most horses within about 10-15 minutes will start ducking their nose to the inside, lowering their head, "asking" to stop. When you decide allow it, approach again. If he runs off, drive him again. When he allows you to approach stand quietly, touch his neck or shoulder and watch for the mouth movement. This area near you is "quiet" space. It's not sparring or playing. You are not another colt - you are the head boss mare, and if you watch a herd hierarchy she takes no lip from anyone.

There are a few basic 'rules' - for you. Never start this when you can't finish it. If that takes all afternoon then it takes all afternoon - be patient, make it tough working him but let the horse decide on his own to submit. Additionally, make the area safe. Don't do it where he'll get hurt - fear of getting hurt doesn't create trust. By the same token don't ask something he can't do.

If you're training a jumper they don't usually clear a six foot jump first time out - they start small, gaining confidence. The race horse needs confidence when he's asked to go it's safe. The trail horse needs confidence if you say he can cross that stream he can do so without getting hurt. All of these things come to the core lesson in the roundpen - confidence and trust. It's up to you to earn and keep that trust!

By the same token the horse has rules. He can refuse but will have to work much harder. He can have a bad day but is not allowed to be unruly. I've had young horses higher on life than they could stand ready to jump out of their skin that would whoa until I let go *and* backed up and turned around, when they would squeal and jump for freedom. They would not pull on me or leave me trying to unhook the snap because they were taught until I turned around they weren't "loose"!

When the two collide - the next rule. Pick your battles. If your horse is having a bad day do something easy and let it go. If you're having a bad day quit - don't take it out on your horse. He has no concept you don't know how you'll cover the truck payment - don't pick a fight.

These sound rather simple and they are. But they'll produce basics of horses that will do their level best because you asked. Good horses deserve good training and this basic start makes a big difference for all they face. Do it right.