lead and drive exercise
This useful exercise will encourage a feel for being led nicely, teaching the horse to move with you while not rushing ahead or dragging behind.
The driving part of the exercise is essential for a young horses training in preparation for long reining, lunging or being sent forward in situations such as self loading onto a trailer or lorry.
The 'one step exercise' the horse steps up next to you but not into you, once again reminding them about your personal space zone.
Ground Work-Yielding front quarters on a circle for personal space
As some of you may know I'm a huge fan of ground work exercises for our equine partners.
Nicely done ground work helps our horses gain an important understanding of personal space, moving their feet in any direction upon request and creating a supple/ willing mental attitude.
I have created a few videos which I will share over the next few days.
A perfect example from my client walking her horse through a trailer and loading before travelling.
I've had the pleasure of working with this horse since he was a yearling, he's backed now and really enjoys his work.
Currently I'm advicing on loading/travelling and he's doing incredibly well. We started with short loop journeys then returning home. Now we take him to quiet forest car parks where he hacks out, then bring him home completely stress free, the trailer is a NICE place to be.
Increasing exposure to different places slowly and not over loading with the pressure of events or shows helps to build his confidence in travelling.
Very pleased with Reggie's progress, we are now riding out building the distance a small amount each time. Reggie has history of being quite insecure when separated from his field companion, so I'm aware of keeping within his comfort zone but also stretching it a little each session.
This is Jackson a three year old ex-racer. He's lucky to be out of racing at an early age undamaged. He's a lovely chap that I'm really looking forward to working with.
This is Loti another I've recently backed. We are very pleased with how well she is hacking out on her own, especially considering her yearling foal is back at home.
Plenty of long reining and walking out in-hand during the early stages of her education really pays off at this point.
This is Reggie, another horse I am currently backing. Here he is learning to walk in his own space without a lead from someone on the ground.
Why 'send your horse away to be broken'
when you can be involved with the whole backing process, seeing all training that is done and learning some new techniques along the way.
I've been a bit quiet on FB lately but still busy with work.
This young horse I recently backed, here she is learning to trot under saddle.
Young Oakey is doing really well with his backing. I only do once a week sessions with him but his owner works him on the ground between my visits to keep him engaged and actively learning. He's really getting to grips with it now. Hazel has been helping with the role of jockey as Oakey needed a bit of encouragement on the ground but making great progress today.
Some lovely backing up work with Oakey from a few weeks ago...... (when it was warm and sunny !).
Took the day off work today to visit New Leaf Triangle Horseback Archery.
Very jealous of the lovely all weather track.
Young Oakey coming on very nicely on the lines, really listening and trying his best.
Oakey learning to long rein on a circle. He's also changing direction well but unfortunately no video of that this time , will try and remember to film that next time.
( sound quality isn't great as someone was cutting stone at the other side of the arena)
This young horse is becoming alot more relaxed with his work now.
Originally he was very reactive and flinched if the lines came anywhere near him, so this is HUGE progress.
When we first started our sessions it wouldn't take much for him to become incredibly tense and either try to 'leg it' away or run through me (and he's a big solid chap !)
Working through each step in his training a very small portion at a time. Staying particularly mindful on what he can deal with and what was too much, every horse is different.
This is such great progress, first solo attempted on the long reins without support from a person walking with him.
Good lad 😊
Another training session with Etico today. This time we tried something new, the Arena Polish track. Which is good training for the Hunt track.
