An Amazing Groundwork Exercise Every Horse Should Know

Many horses I have worked with have respect and boundary issues. They like to blow past you, push you, and walk right into you. Sometimes they can get as bad as charging you with their ears pinned back and striking at you.

The best way to get them to understand your leadership is to move their shoulder. They dominate with their shoulder and that is what they will push you around with. Once you can get them to yield to you by walking into them then they can no longer bully you.

What you will need is a halter and lead and a carrot stick. There are two different ways you can do this task. You can either stand facing him about six feet away and open the door with the hand holding the lead rope and close the other door with the hand holding the carrot stick. If you have a dominant horse he probably won't give and will need a lot of encouragement from the stick. Remember to build up gradually, but don't give in too soon. You should only stop when he moves his shoulder away. This does not mean backing up or going forward, he MUST move his shoulder.

Another way is to stand next to the horses head and hold the carrot stick in both hands parallel to the ground, but you still want to hold onto the lead rope so he doesn't walk away on you. You ask him to yield by tapping the air by his neck (not actually touching him) in a rhymical fashion and then building by tapping his neck and then tap with more energy. Make sure you are walking toward his nose or he will simply walk away from you. Release the pressure when he moves his shoulders AND crosses over with his front foot for ONLY one step at first. Then you stop the pressure and rub him with the stick so that he won't be afraid of it and see it as the thing that only hits him. Then you can begin asking for more once he understands what you want him to do.

This exercise is great for building respect, giving an attitude adjustment, or working with a pushy horse. Also, it will help with shoulder control during riding and will improve your turns and spins.