ground work

I would like to do more groundwork with my guys, and I'd like to put my own spin onto things, but I don't know what to do!

The arena is pretty bare. There's a mounting block (really just a 2 step ladder) and 2 barrels.

I have a long rope lead, and a rope halter. I think I have a blue tarp that I could use too.

So I'd like some fun types of ground work to do with my ponies :)

Look into exercises by EAGALA.

They do groundwork exercises as therapy with children, adults, and businesses.

YOu can lunge them over barrels, over tarp.. um you know my fun noodle idea haha.

Pretend the tarp is a blanket and get them use it over them!

Back them up over the fun noodles or what over.

Stand on the "mounting block" and have them circle around you.

Teach them to ground tie!

Back them up using the yo yo game if you still do that over the tarp!

Back them threw the barrels!

Be creative!

Hmmm......you don't have a bunch of things too use...I like using the logs and poles to go over (I usually make an obstacle course).work on ground tieing depending on their level, figure eights, working everything on the right side and then doing it on the left side (eek!) lol, halterless and work on them following you, working of doing stuff with only voice commands (eek again!). Hmmmm that's all I can think of right now.

You can teach them not to panic if they get something caught around their legs, like a rope or a rein.

Thanks so much for the ideas!

HAF- for the noodles, I don't think walmart would have them right now and I don't know of any pool places. I may have to wait until the spring/summer to get them :(

I'll definitely try a bit of each and see what works for each horse.
Gem is great at doing liberty stuff, with Tom though, not me :(
Vega i'd have to work up to that. Montana is usually good, unless he finds some food LOL

Lol :P well it was worth a shot xD!! Hmmmm maybe some broom handles xD! Or seriously just get out to the trails and get some decent logs.

I'm not going to drag logs to use in the arena. I wouldn't want to upset my BO by having numerous logs laying around.

Maybe I'll see if my FIL has any PVC pipes or something.

Well I ment talk to her first of course but yea PVC pipes would work much better

Ahhahhahahahah ****picturing DarylAnn (being so tiny!) dragging big logs by her self*** lol