Groundwork Exercises - What to do when you can't ride...

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Жыл бұрын

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I really have nothing to complain about the winter, given that I live in Southern California and it really does not get that cold, but when it rains, our arenas flood and we can’t ride! So I thought I’d make this video of winter riding tips for things you can do when you can’t ride in the arena!
The first thing to do is asses the situation:
-Your Horse
A big drop in temperature tends to make horses a little crazy. Asses how your horse is feeling. If they are snorting, with their head and tail in the air, and running around you wont want to just get straight on. Groundwork is a good place to start on a day like this.
-Your terrain.
It’s really important to know how your terrain is behaving in inclement weather. Is your barn becoming a mudslide, or an ice rink? If your terrain is slippery, you need to be extremely careful with turning your horse as that’s when they are most likely to fall down. If your footing isn’t great you’re limited to things in straight lines predominantly. You can work on leading, stopping or backing up, but be careful of lunging or doing a lot of turning!
-Make a plan
Flexibility is key when making plans in the winter and you’ve got to be ready to change your plans based on the weather. You also need to be ready to change you plans according to your horse. Groundwork is something I always do before I get on- especially on a cold wintery day. Some days, if my horse isn’t feeling right, then I may ONLY do groundwork - that that is OK! Something is better than nothing. Groundwork is a great way to work on getting your horse relaxed and focused wether or not you ride!
-Bend and Disengage the Hind End
This is a great exercise to get control of your horse mentally and physically. Ask you horse to move around you in a circle and have their inside hind cross over the outside hind. This is a great for safety because if they get excited they will know to just turn the quarters away from you and stop. Plus it works on getting your horse more supple and bendable!
-Desensitizing
This work is also great to do when you can’t ride with the weather. Slapping the saddle, throwing the lead over their back or working with a flag are all good desensitizing exercises.
-Hand-walking
This is another great and efficient way to work your horse on a bad day. Make sure that your horse is paying attention to you by practicing some halt transitions. When you stop, your horse must immediately stop!
-Backing up
Finally, backing up is a great exercise to practice on the ground. The rein back helps your horse engage their hind end and work their topline (plus it shows up in many of the dressage tests). It’s also a fantastic test and practice of submission.
Take a look at this video where I demonstrate all this with Kensington and let me know in the comments if you find it helpful! Also, if you do like it, please share it as it really helps me!
Don’t forget to come to my groundwork webinar where I’ll be sharing all my groundwork secrets and showing you how to build a better connection with your horse!
Thanks for watching!

Пікірлер: 64

@AmeliaNewcombDressage Жыл бұрын

Come to my groundwork webinar: www.amelianewcombdressage.com/free-groundwork-webinar/

@mehmoodulhassanawan1943 Жыл бұрын

❤️

@seriouspurrsahead7445 Жыл бұрын

It makes me feel better when the pros riders and pro horses also experience the winter zoomies! I always just say the wind’s up their butts😹

@cellphonefree5282 Жыл бұрын

During snow seasons, we plow trails through the arena, sand it and build snow jumps!

@kck3163 Жыл бұрын

Post some pictures. Sounds like fun!

@wendaworkman8065 8 ай бұрын

Vermont. That's all I have to say!

@elenamiyagi6669 4 ай бұрын

I live in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, we are in eternal spring time😊

@yellowrose9355 4 ай бұрын

So good on groundwork for assessment & the hand signal to stop!! To move him forward look at his hindquarters ( so as not to intimidate him). And do horse read our eyes? You know the "predator stare?" You're very clever to teach some of the dressage footwork on the ground. Best of luck.

@user-ut1bk6tw8p 7 ай бұрын

Good teacher, good horse.

@AmeliaNewcombDressage 7 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@bocolewish Жыл бұрын

Arena and I frozen for 4 days, so not even much turnout over the holidays. Luckily my guy now is 95% reliable, but does buck once in a while. We had a high of 4º one day with windchill of -16º. It was basic barn chores and bundling up in the house.

@sarahmurphy9849 Жыл бұрын

Winter in the mountains of Colorado give a whole new meaning to cold and crazy weather. It gets well below zero most nights but the days can be up to 30 degrees. As long as the sun is out and there is no wind, it is usually ok to ride if you and the horse are used to it. Add in wind, snow, very cold, etc, we are limited to ground work. I have also come up with "tackroom" riding where I put the saddle on the saddle stand, climb on and watch/practice Amelia videos.

@AmeliaNewcombDressage Жыл бұрын

haha I love that! 'tackroom' riding!

@samchen1159 Жыл бұрын

nice video and thank you so much! Sometimes, it is a little difficult for someone especially in unconfident riders and owners because they cannot convey good energy and comfortable feeling. That is not easy to teach. Need a little animal instinct.

@louisedownes4512 Жыл бұрын

Hi Amelia, I live in England so we have a lot of rain to!....I love the days we do ground work ...think it also helps with the bonding process....🐴🐎🐴🐎🤗💕

@brittneybiehner3429 Жыл бұрын

Long Island ny …. Windchill 6 degrees the other day

@nellafrosst6453 Жыл бұрын

Nova Scotia Canada. We keep going back and forth between rain and mud, and frozen ground this month. I like when we get 6-18 inches of snow and can happily ride.

@anna-karinwiklund3216 Жыл бұрын

Very good ❤❤

@Shawleen07 Жыл бұрын

Quebec, Canada ; -42 celcius last week end :P

@joelbailey1595 Жыл бұрын

Today I spent time with several horses on the ground. Grooming followed my walking stretch circles, and serpentines outside of the arena by hand. I think the horses were happy to only be in halters today and free of other tack. Still got some exercise. Horses get stiff just like humans in the cold.. I think they like to get moving and not be stall bound. Thanks Amelia.

@AmeliaNewcombDressage Жыл бұрын

Great job! You're right they definitely need to move

@laurahapp9840 Жыл бұрын

Here in PA we can get a lot of ice in the winter. If my outdoor arena is too icy I like to ride my horse on our macadam circular driveway, which usually melts quickly in the sun. I just ride at walk but can do some lateral work. As you say, something is better than nothing and I find this routine can keep her going until things thaw. I will now add the groundwork to our routine which I know will help us. I am lucky to have a very calm, mild-mannered mare I can ride in wintery and windy conditions. Thank you so much for the training guidance.Your ideas are so helpful, Amelia!

@giovannalepore5946 Жыл бұрын

In northern NH we use scoot boots with studs -they work great -

@GraupeLie 7 ай бұрын

This definitely gave me some fresh ideas! Especially so, since we're mostly doing groundwork anyway. However, in the case of me and my horse, it will be more a thing for summer. I have an elderly Icelandic, so winter is really his time, while in the warmer months, he's just feeling way too warm for anything too fast-paced...

@nellafrosst6453 Жыл бұрын

My horse is shod with snow pads and winter studs. It makes riding in the snow much safer.

@mylenebboutin8843 Жыл бұрын

Canada, last week it was -45 degrees

@AmeliaNewcombDressage Жыл бұрын

Yikes!

@danw6014 Жыл бұрын

I have an indoor but my horses don't care for it. If you want to talk about riding in rough weather look at the ranchers who ride out in blizzards to check the cows. It's the horses that get them back home. I think working the hindquarters is probably the most important thing to have working on any horse. Most people could get along with most horse if this piece is working. I would add to the backing up to backing in a half circle. It really seems to change the inside of my horses. Great video. So glad to see someone talking about hindquarters.

@AmeliaNewcombDressage Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@chelseybuman3821 Жыл бұрын

Iowa! last week in Iowa, the high was -15 without the windchill! 🥶

@mariahlarson92 Жыл бұрын

Minnesota -50 windchill this last week but now up to mid 30s and might rain 😑 not great weather for horses at all with an 80 degree fluctuation in a couple days. BUT we have a heated indoor so generally we ride our normal schedule unless it’s really extreme.

@user-om7ge7tu2l 7 ай бұрын

Valuable ideas! Thanks. I'm in Texas -- we are just now getting into riding weather! I did review material from your Groundwork Masterclass to help me do a good job with short groundwork sessions during the super hot weeks. The basic concepts are valuable regardless of the specific circumstances! Thanks, Amelia

@AmeliaNewcombDressage 7 ай бұрын

Awesome job! And agreed, groundwork would be great in super hot weather, too!

@amandafrench8047 Жыл бұрын

Good video lady ( working on a lotta things I fear riders overlook. Then its too late) However.... living in the mid Michigan area where we are now coming out of our share of the Winter "Bombsomething) the" Bomb" part being an actual meteorological term. Assessing ma lesson Horse is what am all about afore my foot slips into the stirrup. I ride in a lovely indoor arena but your video is a timely reminder that YES something is better than nothing. Ta.

@dorothysanchez5933 Жыл бұрын

Extremely important! I live in Oklahoma City and it is very bad weather most of the year. Very cold in winter and hot and humid in summer.

@AmeliaNewcombDressage Жыл бұрын

Oh wow!

@AmeliaNewcombDressage Жыл бұрын

Come to my groundwork webinar: www.amelianewcombdressage.com/free-groundwork-webinar/

@Lynne2106 Жыл бұрын

I live in Sant Barbara. We have had some cold weather and it has been raining. The arenas and the round pens are too wet. The horses get pretty zoomie. Thanks for your good advice. I’m looking forward to the ground work seminar on January 8th.

@AmeliaNewcombDressage Жыл бұрын

Groundwork is going to be amazing! I can't wait!

@juliecarver9770 2 ай бұрын

I live in Vermont, gets pretty chilly. We have an indoor but not heated so still pretty cold riding when it’s single digits. I find it’s most challenging during change in weather and/or windy. Then I know I might be in trouble 😂

@AmeliaNewcombDressage 2 ай бұрын

Agreed! Groundwork is the. best in the winter for so many reasons!

@sigridmayrhofer3851 Жыл бұрын

Between 0 - -15°C is normal, sometimes -20 and more. Working nearly everyday, if it gets too cold just walking work or beauty&wellness if my fingers are not frozen 😅🐴🥶 riding & working always with heated gloves 🙈🤷‍♀️

@faredadadah Жыл бұрын

We had 1 week below 0. After that 1 week we have temperatures of +10 everyday

@moniquemurfield8876 Жыл бұрын

What rope halters do you recommend for ground work? Also do you use them all the time or just for ground work? Thank you for this video! It was -32 windchill (--7 actual temp) in Ohio this past week, so today I'm hoping for snow to melt so I can ride, but may just need to do ground work if the footing doesn't come back that fast!

@AmeliaNewcombDressage Жыл бұрын

I like rope halters without metal pieces and with knots at the sides of the nose. As for how much I use them, it depends on the horse and the training. If the horse has a lot of respect for the handler and respects the leather or breakaway halter, it is okay to use them. But if the horse gets disrespectful, go back to the rope. Please tie them correctly though!

@nancysouer5761 Жыл бұрын

Hello Amelia, thank you for this latest video. I am up in Minnesota where it gets quite cold, and it's good to have some things that we can do in the aisle when there's too much snow and too much ice. Would love to take part in the free training coming up, but Sunday is the day I'm out at the barn so will it be recorded for later viewing?

@AmeliaNewcombDressage Жыл бұрын

yes! Just be sure to sign up via RSVP.

@cellphonefree5282 Жыл бұрын

Is that a parelli halter? I notice it goes across the cheekbone, instead of behind it. LOVE rope halters!

@AmeliaNewcombDressage Жыл бұрын

I can't remember if it is, I don't think so.

@lesliemoiseauthor Жыл бұрын

I'm interested in your goals seminar, but I'm not sure if I will be in shape to participate.

@AmeliaNewcombDressage Жыл бұрын

RSVP anyways and the recording will be sent to you if you can't attend live!

@ronedelgaleone6706 Жыл бұрын

It was 12° for a couple days. But I rode when it was 28° !

@AmeliaNewcombDressage Жыл бұрын

WOW! That's cold!

@DML51049 Жыл бұрын

I believe we were -30 this past weekend

@AmeliaNewcombDressage Жыл бұрын

tooooo cold for me!

@Josiebydarn Жыл бұрын

Maryland. It's bitter her now. I've just gotten my first horse, and I've had her about a month. I have found if I let her run around the arena for a good 20 minute and get her wiggles out, she's so much more conducive to the day's ride. But when it's bitter bitter bitter cold, I don't ride her

@AmeliaNewcombDressage Жыл бұрын

Good idea! Groundwork always helps too!

@Josiebydarn Жыл бұрын

@@AmeliaNewcombDressage I used your ideas last night. Thank you. NOW, if I can only get her to be less anxious. She tossed her head in crossties, paws at the ground, and whinnies in her stall for her new friends. We are suspecting that she may have been sedated when we looked at her.

@littlelazy2009 Жыл бұрын

Am I the only one noticed the inside of Amelia’s boots? Does it mean this is how much your calves need to engage with the horse? Apologize if I say sth wrong (I am a beginner) but if my understanding is correct, I will really need to work on my leg strengthen 😅

@danielabackstrom Жыл бұрын

They're just worn from riding many horses and touching the saddle and stirrup leathers :)

@littlelazy2009 Жыл бұрын

@@danielabackstrom for sure it is from riding many many horses :). but i am very surprised that that is the part on the boots that get worn out the most, which made me realized I probably didn’t put strengthen on the right part of my legs. 😝

@AmeliaNewcombDressage Жыл бұрын

I ride a LOT! :)