During these difficult times most of us are currently in lockdown and many yards have closed, meaning that some owners are unable to see their horses at all. Those of us who are lucky enough to still be looking after our horses, have been following official guidelines and the majority of owners have chosen groundwork exercises over riding to minimise the risk of injury and reduce any potential additional strain on our precious NHS.
Groundwork...
Groundwork is a fantastic way of maintaining your horse’s fitness and helping to keep their brain occupied, as well as building on the trust between handler and horse. Groundwork can include:
- Lunging
- Long reining
- Free schooling
Lunging is often the most popular choice; it’s quick and easy and can be of real benefit to your horse. Lunge aids can be used to encourage your horse to use himself properly, however, ensure that you have done research before using a lunge aid for the first time; used incorrectly, these can do more damage than good! Adding in pole work is a fabulous way of encouraging your horse to use different muscles and encouraging them to engage abdominals and hind end without the use of gadgets. It is important to note that lunging can put significant pressure on your horse’s musculoskeletal system because they are being asked to work in a tight circle, a good rule is to lunge your horse for half the time you would normally ride.
Long reining is also another great option. It can remind the horse about hand pressures and help with steering for both you and your horse. Again, poles can be added in to mix things up and make it more exciting!
Free schooling should only be done if you are in an environment which is safe to do so. The ideal situation would be an indoor arena; some horses have been known to jump out when free schooled! Free schooling is useful for encouraging the horse to find their natural shape when jumping and can help them increase in confidence over fences.
Other methods of groundwork include working at liberty, trick training and training some of the more advanced dressage moves in hand! There are plenty of instructional videos on YouTube so be sure to check some out before you start your session, knowing exactly what you are trying to teach will help to minimise confusion for your horse which will help them to learn quicker.
For all of these groundwork exercises, be sure to wear appropriate PPE (hat, boots, gloves etc.) to ensure you are as protected as possible; horses often get excited when trying something new! You may want to consider kitting your horse out with protective gear as well, boots or bandages are perfect for protecting their legs, and for internal support consider a joint supplement to support your horse’s musculoskeletal system on those tight circles…
Joint Support is Vital - Choose Horse Supplements Which Best Suit Your Horse...
Here is a run down of our joint supplements to help you make the best choice for your horse…
ExtraFlex HA™ offers your horse high levels of Glucosamine, Chondroitin (low molecular weight), MSM and Hyaluronic acid (HA). Together, these ingredients make the perfect mix to encourage joint health. Added Rosehips are a great source of Vitamin C as well
Best-Flex HA® is probably the world’s best equine joint supplement as it offers the highest levels of the important and proven ingredients when compared to others on the market. This very popular supplement optimises the horse’s joint health and comfort, enabling optimal flexibility, suppleness and mobility. The nutrients within this blend include: Glucosamine, Chondroitin (low molecular weight), MSM and Hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, Omega 3 and Boswellia which offers soothing support.
Flexamine 10:10™ provides horses with pure, high quality MSM and Glucosamine at the recommended ratio and acts as basic support for horses. It is a good, cost-effective option to support the health of your horse's joints, ideal for younger horses or those without issues as a preventative measure.
ActiVet™ is recommended for the older horse who may be feeling their age. It helps support the musculoskeletal system by combining both joint and muscle assisting ingredients. Vitamin E and Selenium are antioxidants which contribute to healthy muscle function, along with Boswellia which eases and relaxes muscles. Glucosamine, MSM and Omega 3 are added for joint support.
Zerobute™ is a comforting and pain-relieving option; ideal for those who are no longer competing. This is the perfect blend of natural ingredients to aid mobility. It works even better when paired with one of our top-quality joint supplements (such as ExtraFlex HA™ or Best-Flex HA®) to provide the ultimate supportive and soothing combination for your horse.