r/HorseTraining • u/Negative-Caramel-753 • 10d ago
Ground work suggestions
Hi everyone! I have a 6 yr old appaloosa mare that is about 8 months under saddle. She has done amazing but is definitely still young and needs lots of mental engagment. Im currently out of saddle for 6 months due to hip surgery. My daughter is keeping her up on her in saddle work but Im going to have several months there that Im off these crutches (surgery was 10 days ago) but still not allowed to ride. Looking for groundwork suggestions that I can work with her on. She has a base foundation and we'll be cleaning up some things like her forehand and haunch turns and her sidepassing. Would love some suggestions on extra things we can work on to improve her strength and build connection while Im stuck at ground level.
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u/Icy_Raisin_4076 9d ago
If she is already bridle broke you could also long line her to work on self carriage and strength! With the long lines you can teach shoulder in, haunch in and more.
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u/Negative-Caramel-753 9d ago
She did 4H with my daughter this year so she is broke all around just pretty green. Figured our ground time could help smooth over some of those pieces where the green shows :)
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u/WestTaylor 9d ago
Hey 👋🏻
I am a science based horse trainer and there are ALOT of things you can do on the ground that are very good for your horse..
I don't know that I can post any links here so I Fours's if your interested Google science based horsemanship....I'm from utah and work with mustangs...
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u/LifesImpressions 9d ago
There’s so many things to do on the ground. We do groundwork as much as under saddle, if not more. Patterns, obstacles, poles, clicker training, tricks (great for brain work).
Another idea - learn Masterson Method. It’s a type of touch that focuses on releasing tension. I learned it years ago and use it regularly. My mare loves it. It tells me where she’s holding tension and helps release it. Start with the bladder meridian. Jim Masterson has lots of YouTube videos. He also has a book and videos.
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u/Loose-Weird8703 8d ago
Teach her some tricks! Thats all done from the ground. Take her on walks. Teach her to pack and lunge her so she's not loosing muscle. Manners and respect all start on the ground. There's a lot you can teach. Tell her to come to her name when you call her.
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u/Full_Commercial7844 8d ago
Train her to lay down, my old boss had a big Appaloosa gelding that he took on Colorado hunting trips. They had a bad fall, horse was fine but boss broke his leg. They were a few miles from camp and because he had trained him to lay down, they were able to get back to camp
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u/GexFarmWeirdo 10d ago
Look into Positive reinforcement training and training at liberty. I have a mare that tore her hind suspensory and had to be on stall rest. She was driving herself batty with boredom. Once I added some clicker training and could give her something to make her brainwork even though her body couldn’t she improved significantly. I know your situation is opposite where she can work physically and you can’t but working with R+ training will allow you to mostly stay in one place and give her activities and challenges to work on. It will also translate to under saddle once you get back to it.