Groundwork
Learn how to handle a horse safely from the ground: approaching, haltering, leading, and personal space.
Groundwork means working with a horse from the ground. Great riders start here.
Recommended lessons
Practice drills
Practice hands-on skills with a qualified instructor, and with adult supervision for young riders.
Groundwork lessons(5)
- Safe Spaces: Where to StandLearn the safest places to stand and how to move around a horse.10 min · 6 steps
- Approach a Horse SafelyA calm, step-by-step approach that helps horses feel safe too.8 min · 6 steps
- Halter & Lead Rope BasicsLearn how halters and lead ropes work, and the safe basics with an instructor.12 min · 6 steps
- Leading: Stop, Start, TurnA step-by-step way to lead a horse calmly with safe spacing.12 min · 6 steps
- Turnout Safety CheckStep-by-step checks for moving a horse to turnout safely (with an adult).10 min · 5 steps
Groundwork drills(2)
In the news
Recent Horse Academy stories on this topic.
- Buddy Sour Horse? Why It Happens and How to Rebuild ConfidenceTraining · Updated
- Clicker Training for Horses: R+, Targeting and Liberty BasicsTraining · Updated
- Natural Horsemanship vs Traditional Horse Training: Doma vs JineteadaTraining · Updated
- Groundwork Exercises for Horses: Round Pen and Give-to-Pressure BasicsTraining · Updated