Training

- Ground Manners

 

Starting Your Young Horse: Basics

By Pam Hunter

Copyright 1998-2012, All Rights Reserved - These articles
are the property of Pam Hunter DBA Hunter's Pony Farm. They may not be copied or reproduced in any form - EXCEPT: ONE (1) copy of the article on  Halter Breaking and ONE(1) copy of subsequent articles in the Continuing Series on Training can be made by an individual for their sole personal use. Other use violates this copyright.

You have halter trained your horse or foal, but every time you turn your back it tries to bite you or it steps on you when you are leading it. Now what?

Every equine that is handled by humans must learn ground manners. Ground manners is training that keeps the horse or pony from biting, kicking, charging, stepping on you or leaning on you. This includes letting your horse rub it's head on you when haltering or bridling. Ground manners enables your horse and you to have a better relationship. It won't move around when you saddle, brush, pick it's feet or do other chores that require you to handle your horse.

Your horse has probably learned a few lessons from when you halter broke it. If you haven't done that first step, you should go back and read the first article in this series - Halter Breaking. Following are lessons in Ground Manners, all problems are organized the same way: the problem is stated, a description follows, solutions are offered.

Things you need:

    • Halter
    • Lead Rope
    • 8 - 10 foot soft cotton rope
    • Lounge line or Long line
    • Lounging whip or dressage whip
    • Saddle blanket or pad
    • Small cloth
    • Fence post in an enclosed area