Groundwork for horses
There are many different ways you can work horses from the ground including techniques like lungeing, long reining, groundwork using a rope halter, classical in-hand work and liberty work.
Lungeing, long reining and other forms of groundwork are ways to work the horse from the ground, typically without a rider on board. They are useful training techniques used as part of the process of starting horses (training the horse to accept a rider on their back and being ridden). Once the horse has been backed and is confident being ridden, groundwork can be used to help keep the horse fit, to provide variety in their training and exercise the horse without the weight of the rider.
Whether you are looking for groundwork exercises to try, advice on how to lunge a horse, the benefits of long reining horses, how best to deal with common lungeing problems, or how to introduce your horse to liberty training, then Horse & Hound’s experts are here to help.
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Try this asymmetric in-hand exercise to build your horse’s topline and strengthen his weaker sideBy Martha Terry Published
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The versatile in-hand pole setup that will give your horse plenty to think about – even in walkBy Martha Terry Published
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How a straight line of poles can improve your horse’s agility and hoof-brain coordination from the groundBy Martha Terry Published
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Improve your horse’s lateral work from the ground with this single-pole exerciseBy Martha Terry Published
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Boost your horse’s balance, symmetry and core strength with this simple in-hand polework patternBy Martha Terry Published
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No time to ride? Use this quick and easy to set up in-hand pole layout to engage your horse mentally and physicallyBy Martha Terry Published
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Teach your horse to rein-back from the ground to engage their core and release tensionBy Martha Terry Published
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Try this exercise to encourage your horse to engage his hindleg from the groundBy Martha Terry Published
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3 quick muscle-building exercises that make a valuable addition to your horse’s daily routineBy Bethany Stone Published
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Why in-hand work could be the missing piece in your dressage training: four simple exercises to build your horse’s strength, suppleness and focusBy Oscar Williams Published
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‘Show him he has a choice’: liberty trainer shares her tips for how to connect with a horse, and indicate you’re listeningBy Bethany Stone Published
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Is your horse pushy or bargy? These three simple groundwork exercises can help establish your personal space, improve your communication and keep you saferBy Suzi Lewis Barned Published
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Is your horse difficult to catch? These simple groundwork exercises will encourage your horse to come to youBy Suzi Lewis Barned Published
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Is your horse spooky to ride? Try these three simple groundwork exercises to help them focus and feel more relaxedBy Suzi Lewis Barned Published
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‘A broader experience of life off the leadrope’: Emma Massingale reveals the liberty training exercises you need to start your journeyBy Bethany Stone Published
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Want to get started with liberty training? The chances are you’re already doing it with your horseBy Bethany Stone Published
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‘I never make a horse do anything – I suggest, he responds’: how long-reining could take your horse from unbacked youngster right up to grand prixBy Eleanor Jones Published
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Is your horse too sharp to ride? Try these three-minute groundwork exercises to take off the edge and engage their brain before you get onBy Martha Terry Published
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Curious about clicker training? Start with these two simple exercisesBy Eleanor Jones Published