Georgia Quarter Horse Groundwork, video 1 of 5

This is video-clip 1 of a 5 video clip series where I teach and explain the very beginnings of some groundwork. This young Quarter Horse was tamed in a few days by my friend and dressage trainer Meghan Kavanah, who brought him from having no interest in people whatsoever, to haltering, beginning leading, and developing a good curiosity for human interaction. I only had one session with him as I was on my way back to Wisconsin, and I didn't want to break his trust and confuse him, so you'll see me using very small steps in these videos. With small steps it's easier for the horse to find the right answer and not get as flustered and confused. If I had more time with him, in future sessions I might push him a little more, but he would already have a foundation of trusting that I'm a sensible and fair trainer so that he would keep his good attitude about working with people.

In this first video you'll see me petting his rump with the rope while I make sure he looks as me. You'll also see me teach his very first disengage the near hip and rope-wiggle for back up. This horse was reluctant to follow me as I walked off, notice how I corrected myself by walking off at an angle. Please see videos 2-5 where I explain and demonstrate more about beginning groundwork with this horse. In video 3 I go into more detail about the reasons and method for walking off.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• groundwork
• horse training
• Sara Licht
• saralicht.com
• Meghan Kavanah

[chels2315]

i noticed whenever the horse would get a little spooked over you swinging the rope ud pull it away and easier way to train a horse when it moves away just keep moving the rope towards it until it stops and relaxes if u pull the rope away every time the horse gets a little scared they will learn that spooking is ok but if u keep applying the pressure till the horse is relaxed then take it away he will learn wow if im calm and relaxed the scary rope goes away and he will learn to stay calm.

[saralicht]

Yes, I use that method (desensitizing) on my horses when I am helping them get over their fears. In this session, I am teaching the horse to move from the pressure of the rope and so when he moves his feet I am immediately releasing the pressure (stop swinging the rope.) Be careful if you're only objective is to always keep your horse calm. Watch experienced trainers - the result is a calm horse, but along the way the horse is allowed to have emotions. You as the trainer stay calm.

[XRedxDanniX]

is this in WI?

[saralicht]

This is in the Southern part of Georgia. Yes, I do most of my horse training in Wisconsin, at Saddle Ridge Stables, near Madison. I was on my way back from Florida (training that winter) so I was able to help a friend with this horse.

[xOxhorselover98xOx]

hrm maybe when your swing the rope your swinging fast maybe! Go watch Bhukshine groundwork video! (: it will help! x

[chels2315]

Oh alright....i never had seen it done that way normally the way trainers would teach them is to walk towards the horse and make it move its feet i never seen it done that way with a rope lol...but a calm horse is key keeping it calm is a very important part of the training the horse can show its emotions but u wouldnt want a horse to show unwanted emotions like scared, pissy even u want the exercise to be a good experiance