Don't Neglect Your Groundwork!

[Showjumper]

As you all know, I'm taking the next week to run through Dolly's training with her and make sure I haven't missed anything before she has her feet trimmed and is rideable again.

Tonight I discovered a huge gap and am appalled with myself.

A while back, Dolly started napping, which I later found out was due to her worry that if we went past a certain point on the bridlepath, I would fall off.

Even after this was conquered, she was quite a heavy ride. Lots of energy expended on both our parts to get her going, big exaggeration to get her to turn. Stopping, however was easy...

I resorted to carrying a schooling whip and she was fine. Forward going, and comfortable, but maybe not entirely happy.

Last night I re-read Richard Maxwell's "Unlock Your Horse's Talent In 20 Minutes A Day" and it struck me. I've been neglecting my groundwork and overcompensating in the wrong way!

So tonight, I tested the theory. She was sluggish walking up from the field, and seemed positively bored as I groomed her. Led her off the yard and asked her to move her hindquarters over.

Last year, she would go over as soon as I pointed. Tonight I had to flick her bottom with the end of the leadrope.

She eventually moved over, and got the instant release of pressure and lots of praise. Same difficulty with the other side but overcome the same way. Back-up was soooooooo boring...she was completely uninterested and not paying attention. So more rope swishing.

This is when she realised that I meant it, and clicked into gear. Her ears pricked up, her eyes lit up, and she moved really lightly and beautifully. Front end over, back end over, backing up - beautiful!

She even led back to the field beautifully, listening to me, and not snatching or plodding! :D

[Gemma16]

I found a similar thing with Taff.

I have never really done much ground work with him because he can be so difficult.

But recently I've tried long reining. What a difference. He seemed to really enjoy the change.

Well done for noticing I say. Lots of people would just assume they had a lazy or 'difficult' horse and use forceful methods, but yuo used common sense and went back to basics.

We can trust in you to keep our training going the right way:D

[Yann]

I'm a bit lazy with it, especially at this time of year when it's nicer to have a hack in the woods than play in the school. What I do tend to do though is keep dropping bits of stuff in to keep her on her toes in the normal routine, such as when bringing in (which can be quite a long trip!), we might throw changes of direction in or halts for example. I suspect it is something you need to keep up though, especially with a youngster, who's still learning about life.

I agree, sounds like you are doing everything right:)

Gemma, how are you getting on with the long reining, sounds like he's got the idea?

[Gemma16]

Hi Yann heres a link to a long reining update, just so I dont take away from Showjumpers thread.

http://www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36628

[Blossom]

Showjumper, do you follow Richard Maxwells methods?

[Showjumper]

Thanks Yann :)

Blossom, I don't religiously follow any one NH person, but if I had to choose my favourite, it would be Richard Maxwell. He makes a lot of sense, and his methods definitely seem to work with Dolly :)