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Groundwork exercises are important but mostly straightforward and can be used when training either your own horse or a horse you are training. It is important to get these exercises right first, as this is how you and the horse will become familiar with each other and build a trusting relationship. All future training depends on first performing good groundwork exercises. It is important for your safety that your new ton-sized friend is taught to respect your personal space bubble.

The key to success in horse training is to be patient, persistent and to employ positive reinforcement techniques in every exercise you perform together. These are the 3 P’s of basic horse training that will serve you well no matter what level you are training or what you might be training for in the future.

1. Groom your horse. When grooming your horse you are actually performing an important exercise in groundwork training. You’ll get to know each other. Standing beside your horse, brush his back and neck. At this time it is common for horses to come around with their teeth and give you a little love bite. While horses do this to each other all the time, naturally they cannot do it to humans. Just wave your hand or push the head back to straight ahead position to discourage this. Horses have enormous teeth so it is important for your safety that you let him know that this is unacceptable. It’s important to stay calm and be patient. It will not take long for him to cooperate once he gets the idea. It will do you no good to panic, stress, smack your horse or get otherwise agitated. This will only set you back with your trust levels.

2. Lead your horse. With the lead rope in your right hand, walk beside your horse on his left side while holding the rope just below his chin. Step forward and walk slowly. He should not try to go ahead of you but should remain at your right side. If he tries to go ahead just walk around him to your left in a circle. Do this as many times as necessary. Be persistent. Use the circular movement to stay just ahead of him, where you should be. If, on the other hand, your horse doesn’t want to walk with you, stand slightly behind at his shoulder facing the same direction. Hold the rope close to his chin and push forward. Once he takes a step, praise him and use your positive reinforcement skills. When he starts to walk willingly, take your place slightly ahead of him and walk on. Never wrap the lead rope around any part of yourself – this is for your own safety. If the horse decides to bolt you’ll be going along and it will not be pretty.

3. Lunge your horse.This is a fantastic exercise which the vast majority of horse owners and certainly all horse trainers will use to teach their horse about what is expected. Lunging will teach many of the skills and commands, or cues, your horse will need to know when you’re ready to work him under saddle.

In a large open area (an arena works, too, if you don’t have a round enclosure) clip your horse to a lunge lead specifically for lunging. This will be 30 ft long (approximately 10m), much longer than the short lead rope you use for the lead exercise. Clip the lead to the horse’s left halter side and hold the lead in your left hand. Face your horse’s left side to begin, whilst holding the lunge rope. In your right hand hold a lunge whip; this is to guide him along. Now step to your right sideways toward the rear of the horse while holding the whip out behind him. The natural reaction will be for the horse to step forward. Make a kissing sound as you let out the lunge lead and follow him just behind and to the left. He’ll begin to associate that sound with “move forward”. As you’re turning and the horse moves in a circle around you, hold the whip slightly behind his hindquarters. You do not use the whip for hitting. You only need to wave it just a little to get his attention.

Move yourself slowly backwards to the centre as the horse is moving forwards. As the horse walks around you in a circle, stand in the middle with the lunge rope fully extended. Watch your horse’s hip area as he’s going round.

This is the perfect time to teach your horse to understand “whoa”. In a low, calm voice, say the word “whoooaa”. At the same time, step toward your horse’s head and repeat the word. Be sure to give him a neck rub with lots of praise when he stops. You will help him remember what to do through this positive reinforcement.

You can now change position so that you are lunging your horse anti-clockwise. It’s done in the same way, but with the lead clipped to the right side of the halter and the lunge whip in the left hand.

These exercises are simple ways to get you started when traiing your horse. Remember always how big and powerful a horse actually is. This alone should be enough to remind you to have adequate horse insurance in place should either you or your equine be injured. Safety and trust is crucial to your success in training ventures and in all future activities. As well as a loyal friend, your horse is also an investment, so remember to protect that investment against theft, accident or misadventure by making sure you compare horse insurance policies to ensure you are getting the best level of cover for both of your needs.

Horses are incredibly sensitive and it is important that they get the care and attention they deserve. It’s not enough to only provide the bare necessities like food, shelter and whatever healthcare your horse insurance policy will cover. Like humans, it is those little extras that they need to be truly at peace with their place in the world.

It’s best to keep your horse among other ponies or horses, as they are herd animals in nature and will need to have company. Your horse should see you, as his owner, as part of the herd, and preferably as herd leader. Your horse may give you signs – such as chewing or licking – that he sumbits to your leadership. The development of trust and a lasting emotional bond with your horse relies on you spending quality time with your horse. When this is achieved, it will have a positive effect on all areas in the horse’s handling and riding.

Horses are clean animals, so ensure that their stable/stalls are clean and warm, with deep bedding. A deep bed will ease the strain on their legs and joints, and of course, if they wish to lie down, they can in comfort, ensuring that they feel safe and secure.

It’s important to get the feeding right with horses. As they will be grazing outside during the day, horses should be fed little and often. Incorporate a variety of appropriate foods into your horse’s diet in order to provide a balance. Your horse needs lots of fibre for his digestive system, so lots of fresh grass or hay is essential. Grain is excellent too, but be careful of overfeeding this as it can cause an upset stomach. Water should be freely available to your horse. Water allows the food to ferment so it doesn’t become solid and hard in the horse’s rear gut. Regularity of feeding times is important for horses, as they do best when in a routine. They need to be fed at the same time every day.

Grooming your horse daily will show the horse that they are loved – they will enjoy extra attention from you which grooming brings. Make sure you do lots of rubbing, scratching and brushing. This is such an enjoyable part of the day for both of you. Grooming will also help to keep their coat in good condition and free from pests. Also on a daily basis you need to pick your horse’s hooves. They must feel comfortable on their hooves or they will become grumpy, not to mention that failing to take care of your horse’s feet will put him at risk of injury or infection which could cost you a claim on your equine insurance.

The happiness of any equine relies largely on exercise. Horses need plenty of daily exercise. Varied exercise will stop your horse becoming bored; you could include jumping and cross-country elements, for instance. On the other hand, also let your horse have play time. Turn your horse out so he can run free for a while in the paddock. They can then mix with other horses, play, and also have some quiet time to themselves. It is essential that horses are allowed to relax as well as perform training tasks, otherwise their behaviour can become erratic.

The above tips are just a few pieces of advice which can help you look after the physical and pscychological needs of your horse. For more information and to become part of a horse-lovers’ community on the world-wide web, please visit AFI Horse Insurance where you can read and contribute to our brand-new equine blog.