How is your horse’s ground manners? Are they respectful of your space? Do they back easily? Can you move their body parts independently? Can you easily halter and bridle your horse? These all sound simple and they should be. But often we aren’t picky enough with our horses and we allow them to be pushy or allow them to blow past us. Or we’ve taught them to ignore pressure. I’ve complied a list of ground manners every horse should have.
As you read through this list, consider any areas that your horse may need some improvement in. I know there have to be at least a few if not all for most horses. If not, then you are doing an amazing job. If you’d like some help with one of these areas, then please comment below and I’ll try to help!
Moving the Hindquarters
This is one of the first things I teach my horse. In fact, it’s also one of the easiest things to teach. But it’s important we can move the hind end independently because of its usefulness. When the hind end disengages, the horse stops forward movement. Which is great under saddle especially with a young horse or a horse that has a lot of go. It is even helpful when going through gates. Once your horse goes through the gate and you need them to turn to face you so you can latch the gate back. Well, naturally, the hind end must turn away from you. So, when you teach this, you’ll be amazed at how often you are using it.
Releasing the Poll
Horses need to be able to lower their head so you can easily halter and bridle them. We don’t want to stand on our toes or struggle to get the halter on our horse. I even go as far as being able to lower my horse’s head to the ground with the lightest pressure. You can build up to this. It creates softness and relaxation in your horse. But maybe it’s enough to be able to get them to be relaxed and soft in haltering and unhaltering.
Waiting to be Fed
I have a confession my horse Poncho was pushy at feeding time. It took him actually pushing me out of the way and hurting my arm for me to realize I’d let this become an issue. Therefore, I started making him stand back and wait. Maybe it was just for a second or two. But I’d have to hold my hand up and block him and say “wait”, but he finally got it and he’s not pushed me ever since. It was something I just wasn’t being a stickler with. But I think it is very important. Otherwise, feeding time can actually turn dangerous even with the most gentle and trained of horses.
If this is an issue for your horse and you have been hurt, consider a protected area that you can stand outside of where your horse is. Perhaps a stall or round pen where you are on the outside, but have your feed bucket close enough to pour the food in once your horse stands back and relaxes.
Backing
Ground manners for horses start with being able to back them up. That is why it is one of my favorite things I have my horse do softly and respectfully. And my experience is once a horse gets this solid with this, it usually stays that way. But oh so valuable! Start with a step back and then add in two steps, then three. And so on. Then continue to work on this until it is feather light. This will translate under saddle. Ground work is not just ground work. It’s softness, connection, and understanding.
Speed Control
When leading your horse, he should walk the speed you are walking. Not dragging behind and not blowing past you, either. Practice transitions walking, then walking faster, and then slowing down or even halting. If your horse is blowing past you, back them up a step or two.
If you want to get really particular, you can make your horse walk beside you, directly behind you, or even at a distance behind. These things can come in handy in tight spaces such as a narrow trail, gate, or passage. Preparing your horse beforehand will help avoid accidents later.
Not Eating Grass
This is another area where I was lacking discipline on my part. I have allowed my horse to hand graze many times, but they really shouldn’t stop to eat unless you tell them they can. It just creates unsavory habits. And it’s something I still need to work on with my horses.
Obviously this isn’t a comprehensive list, but it’s a really great start and in my opinion touches on some of the most important ground manners your horse needs to be a respectful partner. If you have questions or comments, let me know in the comment section or by email. I always love hearing from you! [email protected]
To find more training ideas, check out other posts.
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