groundwork exercises

[carrimclaren]

Hi. My mare has been turned out to grass for 5 weeks now as i took her shoes off and she has been getting used to being barefoot. She's still a little wobbly but the feet are def. improving already and the nail holes are on the way out but at the moment i do not want to be riding her esp out on the harder ground (haven't got any boots yet).
What i really wanted a little help on is if anyone could suggest some groundwork exercises we could be doing together. I've been walking her inhand round the paddock and practising "back" and moving away from pressure and to be fair she's better at it now than she ever used to be :rolleyes: But i'm a little stumped about what other sort of things i could be doing with her so any ideas would be appreciated.

[Showjumper]

Once you've got control over her direction from close up (back up off light pressure, yield hindquarters in both directions, yield front end in both directions and step completely sideways on light pressure), try it on the long lines - you can set up obstacle courses (weaving through cones, walking over poles and tarpaulins, etc) which is also good for bombproofing and getting her listening to you, then long reining on a circle is great for developing self carriage. You could also teach her some lateral work on the long lines...

Basically, experiment and have fun :)

[carrimclaren]

See you never stop learning with horses do you. I've avoided long reining for three years and it's now to come to the stage where my fears are going to bite me on the a** :D *Gulp* i might actually have to learn how to long rein. Have a friend who is very experienced who long reined her for me in the past, i shall beg and ask for help (again :p) Thanks SJ

[Showjumper]

lol long reining is fun - once you've got started you won't want to stop :)

[carrimclaren]

If there was a smiley icon that said "im yet to be convinced that moi (clumsy) and neddy (clumsier) can get the hang of long reining" i'd be using it right now but i'm game for a giggle. Think my main worry is her getting spooked and then running off with tangled lines. Could well film it for you just to have a snigger at :D

[Showjumper]

lol part of your groudwork and despooking work before long lining could be teaching her that they aren't snakes and won't eat her ;) My mare is so blase about the long lines that when she had a yahoo moment a few weeks ago and went charging off across the school, taking the ropes out of my hands, she stopped (ground tied? Don't remember teaching her that...) as soon as she felt their weight hit the ground. Was really funny! :D

[wonkeywoody]

Try these
http://iceryder.net/7games.html