Groundwork
The foundation of horse training is building relationships from the ground.
Everything you do around a horse is called ground work. It can be bit work, or it can be cavesson work, or the natural horsemanship. I am happy to open each of these teachings to you.
The basis of all the basics is a dialogue with the horse in a language it understands. There is a misconception that horses build relationships with each other exclusively on dominance and leadership. Of course, leadership is the basis of equine relationships, but it is also partnership, trust, relaxation. Horses love peace, and their whole life is aimed at being relaxed in the present moment.
People like to use food reinforcement. I am not against it, but I always recommend to my students to start building communication without treats, do not try to bribe your horse, let it find in itself the desire to communicate with you simply because you are interesting to it.
In order to learn to work with a horse from the ground, first of all we will learn to relax.
Working on bit or on a cavesson will be the next step.
Flexibility exercises will help the horse to be stable and strong. Properly developed muscles are the key to health. From the ground, you can work with horses that have any injuries, and with a well-chosen program we will help the horse cope better with this.
I will be happy to introduce you to this part of communication with horses.