Some more groundwork exercises?

Hi, it sounds like you are ready to do side passing!

This is a video of the exercise, part one: http://www.allhorsestuff.com/Side-Pass-On-The-Grou...

After completing it, your horse will know how to side pass on the ground with a fence in front of them.

We are coming out with part two of the exercise in just a few days. It will demonstrate how to side pass on the ground with no fence. You can see that video here as soon as it is up: http://www.allhorsestuff.com/Horse-Training-Articl...

Take some spooky objects into a round pen with him, like a tarp, and also something like a ball that you can roll. Unclip his halter and let him stand free in the pen. Take several steps away from him and roll the ball toward him. He should naturally spook...move away from it hastily, snort, etc. When he does, pick up the ball and have him smell it. Gently rub the ball on his neck, then up onto his back and hindquarters. After that, hit your hand against the ball repeatedly to get it to make noises while you hold it next to him. Get him accustomed to the sounds it can make. Roll it again, slower this time, and be nearer to him when you roll it. He should react far less stressfully than before. Praise him with a treat and some kind words and a good pet on the neck. Do something similar with the tarp. Stand a good distance away from him and wave the tarp around, cause it to make noise. Cease the noise and bring the tarp over to him. Have him smell it, and again carefully rub the tarp over him body, gradually. Cause the tarp to make some wrinkling noises, but nothing drastic. Walk away from him again and wave the tarp around. If he neglects to spook at it, bring him a treat and some more words of praise and a pet on the neck. De-spooking DEFINITELY helps the horse to trust you. He learns that in situations which he is frightened, you are showing him he is safe. Good luck!

Go to youtube and check out master clicker trainer: Alexandria Kurland and you will find out what you can do with clicker training.

she has taught her horses to collect without touching them at all.

she can do anything with a horse....through clicker training.

one of her apprentices takes her horse to the beach (with no halter and lead rope, nothing) and rides her bike while her horse and dog romp around and run beside her.

she also takes her horse (with nothing on at all) and walks in the woods.

you can also transfer clicker training to riding if you ever want to ride,

you need to use your imagination when you teach horse stuff.

there's tricks, there's collection, there's everything......

use obstacles, drag stuff, teach the horse to put away her toys (go to youtube and see a horse do just that....he cleans up the arena)

I taught my horse to dance with me! I taught her to side pass when I cross my legs, to move around me, back up with me and so on. It was a lot of fun too! It really helped my horse to pay attention to me!

Try the back-up from the ground. Here's an article I wrote on this:

http://www.wikihow.com/Teach-Your-Horse-to-Back-up...

Have fun with your horse!

ETA: Okay, sorry...didn't see it before. :)