Groundwork, Cordless Drills and Enjoying Your Horse
You know, when I first started out with horses [many, many years ago…] I heard “Do your groundwork!” from lots of experienced folks. For a while, I didn’t know what that meant. Even worse, I didn’t understand the implications of its importance. I was impatient and wanted to do everything I could as fast I as I could. Thus, I saw groundwork as nice to do but took too much time compared to what I wanted to try and get done. In reality, groundwork is great because it builds YOUR confidence AND the confidence of the HORSE as well. It’s a great way to build a bond between you and horse… not to mention trust, respect, and understanding. What many people don’t know is that from the ground is a great place to watch your horse learn and think. You can watch his feet and see the mechanics of his his thinking, his response and how he moves his body to your handling and commands. Groundwork can be overdone by doing too much of something – such as not enough change or challenging exercises for the horse. Some horse owners drill their horse too much when it’s simply not necessary. You need to mix it up frequently and provide a change of pace to keep the horse’s attention. If you find your horse is not responsive, trusting, respectful, and pleasurable to be with, then you might be reinforcing his behavior that makes him that way. [You might want to re-read that last sentence] After a while it’ll show up while you’re riding him on the trail or arena and it makes riding not near as much fun when you don’t have a responsive, trusting mount. When you seem to be fighting your horse as much as enjoying riding then something needs to change! We have lots of valuable material that shows you how to do groundwork and have professionals with many years of experience show you their tricks and secrets of both “how” and “why” groundwork is so important in the development of both horse and rider. Should you invest in our DVDs or books that teach you these things? Maybe. Maybe not. If you’ve been around for years and have already learned the training foundations and have experience, then perhaps not. But I will be the first to tell you that I learn something from just about everything I read or watch. And by watching these DVDs 2, 3 or 4 times I pick up new things each time that I missed the first time. There’s dozens of “golden nuggets” of training wisdom in each one if you’re willing to take the time to learn. Books, DVDs, clinics, etc. – they’re all valuable because you are investing in you, your horses and your safety. Correct me if I’m wrong – but the primary reason we have these 1,000+ pound bundles of nerve and strength is to enjoy riding and working with them. The thrill of taming and riding these animals, whether it is for pleasure, show or for work as a cowboy on the ranch, is unparalleled. But we must do it safely and in control. That’s why we invest in the training materials to learn how to make them safe and learn to control them properly so we can enjoy them.
Cordless Drills and Drill Bits?
Let me make an analogy that I love to use: I have a cordless drill and box full of drill bits from very small to large. It is a nice drill and a very nice set of drill bits that are extra hard. These bits will drill though wood, plastic or steel. The bits are nice but the only reason I have them is because I want holes the right size. I really don’t care to own the drill bits because what I really want is holes. But I have to have the bits to make the holes. They are just a tool to use to get what I really want: a hole. And that’s the way it is with horse training information. The books and DVDs are just tools. What you really want is a safe, well-mannered horse that responds to your commands. Isn’t it? The books and DVDs help you learn how to do the training so both you and your horse enjoy the time together much more. To help you build the respect, trust and understanding you both want.
Other Groundwork Resources
We also have other DVDs by other trainers you should look at to learn groundwork, teaching respect, etc. Look at Diana Quintana’s horse training DVD here:
http://horsetrainingresources.com/dvd-dianaq.html
and also look at Sue Robertson’s groundwork DVD here:
