Fun Groundwork?

Does anybody have any suggestions on how to make groundwork more fun/interesting for my 27 year old TB? She gets bored VERY easily, and get quite pushy whent that happens (braces neck to go back to the barn, etc.). I've been trying to improve on her ground manners/work because the people we got her from didn't...AT ALL. She is still ridden pretty regularly, but like I said, her groundwork-work (lol) is a must-do! I was wondering if anybody knew any simple little things to change things up so that I don't have to do walk, trot, back, turn, over, halt for the rest of her life! :roll:

Maybe she gets bored because, at 27, she has been there done that. She is old enough to deserve a rest from grade school stuff, and if she does more advanced work without problem, why put her through it? She may be taking the attitude 'Yeah yeah, we already did that last week and the week before, come-on already, lets do something else!'

Just a thought ...

To continue on the above thought, if that's what's going on, I'd keep the ground work short, and move on as soon as I got a try from the old horse.

I agree with the above post. Try just being her "friend". When you have her turned out, sit in a lawn chair and read a book with her in the feild. Do extra meticulous grooming. Pamper her. She's done her time.

I have to disagree in some part with the above replies. If she is healthy and sound, there is no reason to expect less of her because of her age. And honestly, at her age, there is no excuse for bad ground manners, especially because she should have "been there, and done that." With her age, it is possible that she has been used for beginners, and she has learned to get away with things.

Though I am not a full on Parelli follower, I would say that his level 1, seven games are a great thing to do with your horse, they are interesting and improve ground safety and manners.

You could also do ground driving and lunging with side reins.

I also think you should continue to add in little five minute sessions of the basics (walk, trot, stop, back).

Remember, if you are getting bored and frustrated, you horse probably is too. :)
Have fun and good luck.

Bring her for walks where you guys have not been before. My guys love that, they get to see something new and I get to bond with them. And of course keep on top of her manners while she is walking with ya. I'm not a huge fan of Parelli either but the seven games and alot of run for both you and horse horse.

There are lots of things to do groundwork wise that does not involve alot of work on the horse's part...and that can be fun for her.

What are her favorite things? What does she like to play with? What are her favorite treats?

Maybe in a small area hide random treats around the different places, and see how long it takes her to find them. Hide them under buckets, in buckets, on the fence, etc.
Take walks with her...walk her down the road and back with you by her side.
See how many weird things you can get her to put her foot on or touch with her nose.

I actually walk my horse sometime. Unfortunately we don't have much area to walk around, but I trailer her to the park and if I cannot ride (due to health issues) I just walk with her on trail making her cross the water, logs, etc. She LOVES that. However my other horse equally HATES that. She thinks it's meaningless...

My previous mare was very pushie we did alot of natural horsemanship and she LOVED it. I kind to have to disagree with the hinding the treats thing, If she realy likes them she might get even more pushie to get to the treats. Just a thought.....

Aside from the fact I agree about working on the ground manners, theres a ton of fun things to do, and challenge them up! With mine, I am always looking to throw something new and unknown to them all the time. They thrive on this as when its time to come out, they are amped up and looking forward to it eagerly as they know they will get to experience something new.

Things from log crossing, rivers, poles, obstacles onthe ground and above, to a variety of terrain.. Theres a ton of things! Get creative and give it a try! List what you have tried, and go off of that in variations! Is this something you have run out of ideas on all together? I can see what kind of a list to add! LOL!