Groundwork—exercises done from the ground rather than the saddle—forms the foundation of horse training. These exercises build respect, communication, and trust before you ever mount up.
Why Groundwork Matters
Many riders want to skip straight to riding, but groundwork is where real communication begins. On the ground, you can:
- See your horse’s full body language
- Correct problems safely
- Build confidence in nervous horses
- Establish leadership without physical dominance
- Teach cues that translate to riding
Essential Groundwork Exercises
Yielding the Hindquarters
Standing at your horse’s shoulder, apply pressure to the hip area. Your horse should step their hind legs away from you, crossing over. This teaches respect for your space and prepares for leg cues under saddle.
Yielding the Forequarters
From the same position, apply pressure toward the shoulder. Your horse should step their front end away while the hind end stays relatively still. This becomes your turn-on-the-haunches cue.
Backing
Ask your horse to move backward by applying rhythmic pressure toward their chest. Start with light pressure, increasing if needed. Back should be straight—weaving indicates resistance or confusion.
Sending
Direct your horse to move away from you in a specific direction—through a gate, into a trailer, or around an obstacle. This builds independence and trust in your leadership.
Lunging
Your horse moves in a circle around you at various gaits. Proper lunging develops balance, rhythm, and responsiveness to voice and body cues. It’s also excellent exercise for horses who can’t be ridden.
Keys to Success
Timing
Release pressure the instant your horse responds correctly. Late releases confuse horses—they don’t know what earned the reward. Quick releases create quick learners.
Consistency
Use the same cues the same way every time. Mixed signals create confused, frustrated horses. Everyone who handles your horse should use consistent methods.
Patience
Groundwork takes time. Rushing creates holes in training that surface later, often under saddle when they’re harder to fix. Solid foundations pay dividends.
When to Use Groundwork
- Before every ride as a warm-up and check-in
- When starting young horses
- To address behavioral issues
- During rehabilitation when riding isn’t possible
- To build confidence in spooky horses
For comprehensive training principles, see our training fundamentals guide.
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