It’s hard to emphasize enough the importance of groundwork. Even with the popularity of clinicians like Pat Parelli and his Seven Games, horse people often think of groundwork as merely cute things to do with a horse – nothing more than trick training.
Groundwork is much more than that. The key to communication with your horse is good groundwork.
- Question
How long do I need to do groundwork with my horse?
- Answer:
For the rest of his life, it’s the key to communication.
Groundwork is merely the learning of a language that horses understand. It’s the development of a proper relationship, the establishment of leadership, the basis of communication.
It’s natural, at first, to assume that groundwork is simply another way to “train” a horse. That’s why we tend to think there is a point where we are finished. Communication is never finished, in fact it should be continually developed.
Give up the idea of training and grasp the idea of communication. Groundwork is communication – something that should be continually developed throughout your life and your horse’s life.
Begin learning groundwork by watching good horsemen do groundwork with good horses, wild horses, and problem horses. Invest in videos by some of the following horsemen: Buck Brannaman, Ray Hunt, Dennis Reis, GaWaNi Pony Boy, and Pat Parelli. Buy all you can afford!
Then – get out and try it!
Watch the videos and try again – and again. You will be amply rewarded for your efforts!
Duane Isaacson - Duane Isaacson is co-founder, clinician, horsemanship instructor and horse trainer for Heart of the Redwoods Horse Rescue in Eureka, ...
