GROUNDWORK PART 1

FOLLOW A FEEL FORWARD

Over the past few months, we've received lots of questions about getting started with groundwork. Whilst we DEFINITELY suggest that an instructor helps you to get started, there are a few basics you can teach at home that will form the foundation of all groundwork activities you do. Over the next few issues, we'll look at these basic building blocks of your groundwork toolbox and help you to build a solid foundation for your in-hand work with your pony.

YIELD FORWARDS WITH A DIRECT FEEL

In this exercise, you will teach your pony how to follow a feel on the halter and come towards you. This is very valuable as it can help him learn not to pull back and also help with loading into a horsebox.

HOW TO DO THE EXERCISE

Stand in front of your pony with a space between you of approximately 1.8 metres.

Lay the lead rope over your open hand.

Make sure your pony is focused on you.

Think of drawing your pony towards your belly button.

Draw your open hand with the lead rope towards your body so that it just makes contact with the halter. Ideally, you want your pony to step forwards with this tiny amount of pressure, but this takes time to teach!

If your pony doesn't move forwards (as you would expect if this is the first time you are teaching your pony this exercise), start to run your hands down the rope with both hands open back towards your body. This puts a bit more feel on the halter.

If your pony still doesn't come towards you, close your hands on the rope and continue running your hands down it to add a bit more pressure.

If he still doesn't move towards you, keep your hands still and apply light but constant pressure on the halter until your pony steps forwards.

As soon as your pony steps forward, even with just one foot, release your feel on the halter.

POINTS TO NOTE

You are NOT trying to pull your pony towards you. Offer a light feel and increase this in the steps above until it is firm enough for him to understand your question and step forward. The instant he steps forwards, open your hands. The release acts as his reward and shows him that he got the answer to your question right.

If you try to pull your pony forwards, he is more likely to plant his feet or go backwards.

Imagine that you are like a fence post that your pony is attached to; it doesn't pull more when he doesn't step towards it, but he gets instant release when he does step towards it.

Reward the slightest try from the pony and gradually build up the number of steps you ask for.

Over time you should be able to get a response with less and less pressure.

TROUBLESHOOTING

If your pony leans on you and digs his toes in, do not pull harder; instead, move from one side to the other to change his balance over his front legs and cause him to step. Release and repeat until he is no longer resisting and will come straight forwards.

If your pony seems anxious about your request, soften your body language; smile and remove the direct eye contact to show him that there is no threat. If this still doesn't help, take another step backwards to give him more space and encourage him to move forwards to follow you.

ULTIMATE GOALS

Teach your pony to become so responsive that he will trot towards you from just a tiny bit of pressure.

Try to attract your pony towards you using just your body language so you don't even have to put a feel on the rope.

NEXT TIME

In our next edition, we will look at asking your pony to yield forwards from an indirect feel.