WHY DO WE DO GROUNDWORK?

Why Do We Do Groundwork?

For some, groundwork is about lunging excess energy out of a horse before riding—trotting and cantering in circles. Others use it to prepare a horse for their first ride or to develop liberty work. Whether right or wrong, in this blog, I’ll share what I believe to be the true purpose of groundwork, as someone who has prior lunged countless circles and trained with a variety of methods under different trainers.

Bringing Purpose to Groundwork

When I start working with a horse before riding, my primary goals are to develop their balance, posture, muscle strength, and our connection.

If a horse struggles to move with good posture and balance on the ground, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to do so under saddle. Some horses are naturally more balanced than others, but all horses need to build the muscle strength in their backs to carry a rider’s weight. By teaching them proper movement on the ground, we reduce strain on their bodies, ensuring they are better prepared for the job ahead.

Groundwork Should Correlate to Ridden Work

When assessing a horse for the first time, I pay attention to how they carry their head, move through their ribcage, and engage their hindquarters. These factors play a significant role in developing their topline and overall balance.

The first thing I focus on is teaching the horse to move its hind legs into different positions:

• A full rollover behind,

• A quarter rollover and switch of direction and

• Stepping under and across with the inside hind leg.

These movements influence the horse's back, stretching and contracting muscles. Over time, this work creates a relaxed, softer, and lighter movement throughout the horse’s body.

Every thing in the horse is connected.

It’s important to consider the entire horse. For example, if a horse travels with its head above the vertical, the tension it creates affects the head, neck, forehand, back, and hindquarters. Teaching proper movement through groundwork allows the horse to find a natural head position without the need for force, such as pulling or tying the head down.

Shoulder Control and Building Strength

Another key maneuver I teach is moving the shoulders. I ask the horse to:

• Move their shoulders around their hindquarters from a standstill,

• Step across with the hind leg, and

Push the shoulders outward to encourage larger strides with the front inside leg.

I also incorporate movements like shoulder-in and leg yield. These exercises help the horse develop balance, improve posture, and build strong muscles over the back—crucial for any discipline.

Connection Through Body Language

Teaching these maneuvers also helps the horse tune into your body language and respond to your energy, creating a deeper connection. Once the horse understands these movements in a smaller circle, I expand to larger circles and transitions along the long side of the arena. Using my energy and body language, I guide their hooves to maintain correct posture and movement, seamlessly combining groundwork with ridden work preparation.

Purposeful Groundwork is Key

Groundwork is about teaching your horse how to move correctly, build strength, and respond to your cues and body language. By preparing them physically and mentally, you set the foundation for a balanced and connected partnership, ready for any discipline you pursue.