GROUNDWORK

Definition

GROUNDWORK is the un-mounted preparation for mounted work

Introduction:

Groundwork should begin from the very earliest age and be resorted to throughout a horse's education. When properly conducted, the horse is brought to an advanced stage of readiness for mounted work by being taught to understand what is required of him, avoiding the detrimental effects of surprise and not understanding, the main reasons for most resistances. It ensures a continuous transition from primary
education to dressage proper, allowing the horse to accept his rider's requests whilst preserving the free play of his natural movements.

1) Work in hand:

allows the trainer/rider to see the whole horse, to observe his mental and physical attitudes, balance and movements and especially how the horse is interpreting the rider's requests.
Once mounted, the rider will have learned better to recognize what is happening underneath him, to judge his horse's actions and therefore be better able to regulate his own movements and aids in harmony with his horse, guiding him to be calm, forward and straight.

Progression:

The nature and degree of difficulty of the lessons will depend upon the amount of impulsion that is acquired. The horse should be initially confirmed in elementary impulsion.

1. At the halt, the horse never attempts to step/lean back, prance, evade, rush forward ; stands quiet until given further orders.
2. In forward movement, never tries to slow down, stop, rush forward, step off the selected line of travel.
3. Accepts the touch of the hand/whip without fright or resistance, responding to the slightest pressure willingly.
4. At the slightest indication of hand, whip, tongue he unhesitatingly moves forward into walk/trot/back up, remaining straight over the line of travel.
5. Steps up to the bit when requested, maintaining steady contact with the hand by stretching both reins equally, without evasion or resistance, remaining soft and yielding in the neck and jaw.
6. Responds to requests for lateral displacement of haunches and shoulders one step at a time, without agitation.
7. Maintains a calm and accepting mental attitude throughout all work.

Once the above lessons are fully understood and accepted, demands may be increased to a degree that the horse will produce a more instantaneous and energetic impulsion, termed "Secondary Impulsion", which will be dealt with in later chapters.


Final Notes:

1. The horse must always be under the impression that the Rider's will is slightly stronger than his own.
2. ALL compliance by the horse to requests from the rider to be rewarded with instant praise (voice/stroking).
3. All requests for compliance from the horse to be achieved by PERSISTANCE, not punishment.
4. The horse must feel that the rider's decisions can be trusted.
5. The horse must be calm to learn any lesson.
6. The rider must be calm to teach the horse any lesson.
7. Nothing upsets a horse more than not being able to understand his rider.
8. True riding is leadership, with the horse accepting the rider as leader.
9. When a rider professes that his horse is dumb, mean, does not listen, it is more often the rider who does not listen, fails to recognise a response when one is given and creates bad habits and resistances in a once eager animal.

REMEMBER:
The horse IS far more intelligent than generally given credit for, is well meaning, and LISTENS only too well.

Develop your sense of observation and progress will follow!