TRAINING
Ground Tying By Ken McNabb with Katherine Lindsey Meehan
�������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������� � ������������������������������������������������� ����������������������� � ����������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� Have you ever noticed how well a ranch horse will stand after a hard day of work? How about the Amish horses, who plow all day? In these situations, the horse has been worked until he is tired and is thankful for the chance to rest. But most of us don’t ride fifty miles, or plow twenty acres with our horse in a day. We don’t have the time to make them tired enough to stand. Instead, we need to create the desire to stand in their head.
focused on you. After you have worked your horse for a while, offer him the chance to stand. Pet him, and let him know that he is doing the right thing. BEFORE he gets bored with standing, send him off to work again. It is very important that you anticipate him getting restless and make the decision to have him move before he makes it himself. Send him off while he is still focused on wanting to stand. Repeat this exercise a few times, letting your horse stand for a little longer each time. Keep in mind that your goal here is not to make your horse sweat and tire him out. Your goal is to improve on the ground work exercises that you have already taught, and engage your horse’s mind.
We need to create the desire to stand in their head.
Begin this exercise by longeing your horse in a circle around you at the trot. By asking him to move his feet you will begin to create the desire to stand still. Change directions frequently, and try to engage your horse’s mind and get him
Bucks County Equestrian
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