Top 5 Groundwork Exercises for Horses - Clearly Communicating

There are five of the first groundwork exercises I do with all horses. The sixth one I would have included was flexing... maybe in another video!

I use these exercises for all horses from mustangs to seasoned show horses needing a refresher to green horses and everything in-between. Yielding the HQ, moving the shoulder, the backup, sending, and poll releases. I talk about the importance of when to add pressure and take it away. The importance of relaxation with the release is something newer to how I practice, but it has made such a difference! Hopefully this video shows you the "how", "what to look for", and "why".

Facebook/Instagram: @vanfleetmustangs

#wildhorse​​​ #horsetraining​​​ #coltstarting​​​

Hey! My name is Sam and I enjoy making content of all my horse adventures and sharing some training tips to help others understand horses a little better. I enjoy competing in Extreme Mustang Makeovers and traveling cross-country with my horses and teaching clinics! I love interacting with all of you so feel free to leave me a comment or message me on Instagram :)
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Re-occurring Horses (Personal + Current Training)
Stargazer- 9yo 15.2hh pinto gelding BLM Mustang (Onaqui UT)
Nora- 4yo 14.1hh grey mare BLM Mustang (Onaqui UT)
Lynx- 8yo 14.2hh grey gelding BLM Mustang (Wood Hills NV)
Calliope- 17yo 16hh pinto mare Draft X (PMU foal)

[Mik-qryr]

I am as beginner as they come! I have a sassy fjord. And I tried this for the first time today!! My Maggie has search and rescue training, trail riding experience, etc. I bought her fully loaded and ready to go! No buck or bolt. I had her boarded at a place that let too many things slide with her, so I’m essentially starting from scratch for a horse that HAS the training but just got away with it. I recently moved her and I’m planning on doing much more ground work with her for a while before I even think about riding. Thank you so much for your video!! After trying these exercises with my horse today, I feel less discouraged 🤎

[debbiecurtis]

I've been doing some of these (waiting for spring mud to clear up), and with a new horse, a Standardbred off the track, I think it also helps us get to know and trust one another. I live by myself, and my friend/helper travels for business, so the stars have to align for the first ride I've been waiting for. I use to hop on anything, but I'm over 60 with a new knee - so I'm more careful than I used to be. Your videos are well presented, and I really like your style of training. I'm not to old to learn new things! Thanks a bunch!

[KingsMom]

Sweet Lynx needs a “head UP” cue!😂
I will never tire of watching you work with these beautiful, magnificent creatures!

[cadencefarm]

This is so helpful! I know many groundwork exercises, but they are just a jumble, with no organization or structure. Sometimes I even forget how to do them correctly. Presenting it this way is marvelous!

[CrissiEscamilla]

I've never commented on anyone's videos and my husband has a channel 😬🤣 But I felt I needed to tell you how helpful and easy you make it to understand. Thank you! 💚

[anndreiloriginal]

You are getting really really good at teaching others what you are doing. Great job! And thank you! This is very helpful.

[tammiekanters]

You have always been amazing with horses but I just wanted to say your explanations and just speaking to the camera are so good now, not you were ever bad!, But you have come a long way and you should be proud. Your helping so many people.

[Fcreated]

I’ve been riding since I was little and have been assisting my training for a few year. My neighbor saw me working my own horse so he asked if I could help him with his. She is a very laid back horse and isn’t too responsive, so I really needed a refresher of what my trainer taught me. Thank you

[Crabbypink]

Thanks for posting these exercises. Short, concise descriptions, notes about how to increase and release pressure, and a short description of why. No fluff or over explaining. Very helpful!

[ag]

I just bought a horse after a decade of not owning one. And this video really served as a great refresher. Your explanations are flawless. Thank you!

[GH_Equestrian]

I love ur vids and lynx is so cute ur a great trainer too 💝

[halimadaoudi]

Thank you for this videoupdate Sam I am learning everything about Horses and I Love to Learn everything about Horses one day I will have my own Horse on the farm of my Grandparends all of them had many Horses in their life and they were one with their Horses I feel that one day I will became that too
It is a dream what I Love to make it true
♥️♥️♥️

[jimmyyounger]

The summary thought about positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement each having their place hit the nail on the head for me. I'd elaborate if it wouldn't require a half dozen paragraphs to substantiate Sam's perspective by sharing some recent experiences, but I genuinely appreciate hearing her say it!

[pamelaturnbull]

I bloody love your ethos, been looking for energy work for YEARS! Thank You from Britain x

[lisazappolo]

I've watched this video twice. Beautifully done! Great content, teaching techniques and editing!!!

[ayla]

I learned so much SO clearly from this video. I took my 3yr old to a month of training to understand what you did in 10 minutes. Thank you!!!

[ceridwen]

I thoroughly enjoyed your video. Your explanations were easy to understand and theyve given me hope that I can work with my 22yr thoroughbred ex race horse, who came to me in a dreadful state.

After three months of gentle interactions, good feed and veterinarian care, I decided today was the day to see how he'd enjoy being outside of his paddock, with my husband and I each on a lead rope, on either side of him.

In a word, poor Bowie was overwhelmed, so we only lasted about ten minutes. We brought him back in to his shelter and he'd worked up a sweat. I felt so bad for him.

Tomorrow, Im going to use the methods youve shown in this video and then every day, before we take him out of the paddock. Hopefully, he will learn that he is safe and that freaking out is counter productive.

It breaks my heart to know that this beautiful natured horse of mine has been so traumatized before coming into my care and I want to do my very best by him.

He has a heart murmur, and hes due for another tooth extraction after Christmas, and it appears that after leaving the track, he was never retrained, or given any stability. He will be with me until he dies and I want him to be a happy, well adjusted, safe to be around, horse.

He has such a gentle nature, but fear, at the moment, appears to be his biggest problem...

[alaia]

This is so great! You explained it so clearly and these exercises were very useful! More videos like this please!! 😁

[skyrocketcoast]

Thanks!
Your channel is just the best!
The hot hot summer is gone& my mare certainly needs a bit of a tune up. She has been in pasture all sumer, On vacation!!

[beautifulfaithhorses]

I loved this video and could relate to all of your groundwork advice! Groundwork is where I started my 18 year old Quarter Horse and wow, it’s changed him so much! Thanks for these videos, they’re so helpful 😁