Do This During Groundwork With Your Horse

Before we begin I want to clear up something about last week's podcast. I randomly mentioned something going on with Popcorn's ear. He has a papilloma virus or ear plaque, but it's improving dramatically. In this episode, I'm going to explain the first communication I developed during groundwork. I'm also going to talk about the difference between leading versus drawing. In my final segment with Dr. Monty, we answer a listener question about increasing exercise tolerance versus overworking. Show Notes: [02:45] When someone brings a horse in for a lesson some of the first things I want to know include can I get this horse out of my space and can I get it to face me. [05:40] Horses that are in your space need to learn how to back out of your space. You can make your arms big or tap on the knee. [07:26] I do a lot of my work on a lunge line. [08:43] When a horse is on the line, I want to keep them out of my space and ask them to turn and face me. With this, I no longer feel crowded and the horse is facing me. [09:45] If you watch the video in my first email newsletter, you will see an example of Popcorn and two younger horses deciding who is going to back out of the space.  [11:15] When horses interact, and they have a lot of respect for each other, they have a bigger bubble. [12:18] Some will jockey for space and some kick and some bite.  [12:56] Observe the language that you see your horses using when they interact with each other. [13:06] Can I keep the horse out of my space at least four feet out? Is the horse facing me? Am I able to send this horse to the left or the right? [14:04] Communication gets more subtle. Body language is big in the beginning.  [15:04] Use big animated body language when first working with a horse. The end goal is to get the communication really refined. [16:31] I'll have the owner stand in a hula hoop and see if they can back the horse out of their space. [17:05] These are some of the things to think about when it comes to the horses body.  [18:08] At the beginning, I use drawing them in more than leading. I usually lead the horse from the side, so it's not pulling directly against me. [20:06] Your body has so much power to communicate. Dr. Monty Answers a Listener Question About Increasing Exercise Tolerance Versus Overworking [25:20] Where is the line between over practicing and keeping a rhythm? [26:23] Look how the horse is breathing and how the horse is sweating. You can tell how a horse is doing by watching respiration and sweat. Also think how healthy a horses joints are.  [28:00] Exercise your horse three to five times a week and start easy with a trot before going into canter work. It takes two to three weeks for a horse to increase strength and endurance.  Links and Resources: Are ear plaques better left alone? Stacy Westfall YouTube Equithrive tell them Stacy sent you.  Have you ever wondered what a live version of this podcast would be like?I’m hosting some live, online video calls that are like a live version of this podcast. I teach on a subject, answer questions and for those who are brave, I’ll turn your video on live too and you can join me for a conversation! If you want to learn more about this you can visit https://stacywestfall.com/live/ for more information!