In my last blog, I suggested that the next few months would be a great opportunity to get some training done with our horses whilst we are not able to compete. One of the books I have used in the past to assist me with training my performance horse, is Richard Maxwell’s Maximize Your Horsemanship. I found particularly the groundwork exercises found in this book particularly helpful in being able to get me and my horse connecting, and understanding each other better. I am not saying that this book will help every horse and rider combination with their training goals, but I am recommending that it is worth a read and try of what you think may be useful.
By implementing the groundwork exercises in this book, I found my horse to be a lot more responsive, and I could use less pressure to achieve the things I was asking for. I think with any training, it is important to remember that it is the release that teaches. By releasing pressure when something is performed by the horse, it teaches the horse what is being asked. Observing the licking of the lips of a horse during release, is them letting the lesson being taught sink in.
I hope you all stay safe, and that you use this time to really get back to the basics of why we love our horses. All the things we used to do with them when we first fell in love with them in our backyards, or at our local clubs. Extra grooming sessions, liberty dances, supervised grazing time, and long hacks are all still ok for us to cherish.
Feature Image courtesy of Goodreads.
-Skye Pickering Dip. Horse Business Management.