Working Horses

"We are building a foundation that will last the horses (and persons) lifetime. This cannot be done in a short period of time if it is to be solid. Without a solid, correct foundation, all is lost in the long run. Take the time to go slow in the beginning, and the reward of a foundation that never falters through the years is invaluable."~~Laura Bell

Ground schooling is one of the most misunderstood elements of horse handling. People often ask, "Why do I need to ground school my horse? I don't want to tire him out. I want to ride him."

Effective ground schooling is not only an effective, but a necessary tool that the competent horseman applies to keep his horse tuned up and operating properly.

The handler and the horse must be able to communicate with each other. This means that each animal must be able to read the other's intentions, directions and emotions. It's usually not enough for the rider or handler to dictate to the horse unless he's going to be satisfied with the most menial of results. Communication can best be developed on the ground where both the horse and handler can most effectively see and relate to each other.

Just about everything a horse is going to do under saddle involves yielding to pressure. Whether it's responding to leg pressure or rein contact, a responsive horse is moving in response to the rider's pressure. You want a light handling horse? Establish the proper response to pressure on the ground where you have the greatest control in the learning environment, then apply those principles in the saddle.

Before you get in the saddle you need to know how your horse is going to react under stress, and your horse needs to be able to handle stressful situations and still pay attention to your aids and cues. Ground schooling should include "pushing the envelope" in a controlled environment so that the horse will learn to look to the handler for direction in unusual, unsettling and/or fast moving situations. This is much better handled on the ground than on top of the horse.

We believe once the groundwork is in place you have the foundation to carry on and excel in any discipline, weather it is, dressage, jumping, eventing or just being a happy hacker.

We at Far Hills love learning and believes that you never stop learning. We try to go to as many seminars with international horsemen and riders such as Andrew McLain, Helmut Wagner and Veronika Bühn who studied with the great Philippe Karl's and feel that all of them have enriched our knowledge’s and made us better open minded horsemen and women.

We hope that we will carry on learning and become great horsemen and women and that your youngsters leave with good groundwork and lovely and happy youngsters to their new homes.

xxx