NOVEMBER 2021 THE RIDER /31


the competitive riders. The recreational rider demonstrated


Palm Partnership Training™


Building A Partnership With Your Horse Beginning Ground Training


by Lynn Palm Developing your horse into a safe,


willing partner for years to come starts with ground training. Often the prob- lems I see riders having with their horses can be solved with ground train- ing.


Where you conduct ground train-


ing lessons is critical to giving your horse the best chance to learn. Distrac- tions can take away from a horse’s abil- ity to respond to the handler’s commands. He will be better able to concentrate in a smaller area, rather than in a larger space. Select a location where he will be able to retain and learn what you are teaching him, with- out the distractions of the outside envi- ronment. Once he is familiar with the lesson, you can graduate to a larger work area. When teaching a new ma- neuver, always practice it at the same location until your horse responds very well and then go on the other areas. I recommend these steps of pro-


gression be followed when ground training any horse. Begin ground train- ing lessons in the horse’s stall where the location is familiar to him and there is the least amount of distractions. When he demonstrates that he has learned the ground training lesson in the stall, he can graduate to repeating the lesson in a slightly less secure loca- tion. The aisle of a barn makes a great next step. Once he shows responsive- ness in the aisle way, graduate to a slightly less secure place like a round pen or paddock. Continue this progres- sion to less secure environments mov- ing to an indoor arena, to an outdoor arena, finally asking for the maneuver on the trails or other off-site locations. Follow this progression as you in-


troduce each new ground training les- son to give your horse the best opportunity to learn while keeping dis- tractions to a minimum. If your horse demonstrates he does not understand or is not responsive, go back to a more se- cure location to repeat the lesson until there is improvement. For the horse, continuing this learning process at each


For Advertising Rates


and promotional


opportunities call (905) 387-1900 or visit


www.therider.com 1 888 394 3330 capricmw.ca/equine


that the very skills that made her a good air- line pilot were important for having good control of her horse. In turn, she learned from the competitive riders that the chal- lenge of showing can be a rewarding, ex- citing experience that she might someday enjoy. The competitive riders learned to control their horses better and had to im- prove their “pilot” skills! The group’s instruction included in-


hand work. The competitive riders learned how to use ground training to perfect the maneuvers required for showmanship


Your Next Step… Whether you are starting a young


horse, re-schooling an older mount, or needing to improve your eye for under- standing your horse…ground training will improve a horse’s responsiveness to com- mands and build your skills as a handler and rider. Ground training will bring out the best


in your horse. There is no better reward than your horse respecting and trusting you. It is also the greatest foundation that you can give your horse for a very successful future under saddle! Ground training is an important part


of all of my schools. Visit www.Lyn- nPalm.com and click on “Clinics.” For more information or to schedule


your own event, please call 1-352/629- 3310.


new location is like learning the les- son again—so be patient to build a great partnership with your horse.


Helping Each Other Improve I worked with a group of four


women who were interested in learn- ing through Palm Partnership Train- ing. They had very different riding interests. Three of the riders rode competitively as novice, amateur rid- ers. The competitive riders had just finished successful show seasons and won many end of the year champi- onships. The fourth member of the group was a commercial airline pilot! She enjoyed riding recreationally.


Everyone in the group rode both Western and English. What I found most interesting


was how the competitive riders and the recreational rider helped each other improve. Even though the recreational rider was mounted on a horse she’d never ridden before, her job skills gave her determination, focus, and confidence. I challenged her with different obstacles and courses unfamiliar to her, but well known to the competitive riders who were mounted on their own horses. The recreational rider did a better job of successfully controlling her horse and completing the maneuvers than


events with greater coordination. The recreational rider found ground training a great way to help her work better with her horse and improve her hand-eye coordina- tion from the ground with more correct- ness.


The students’ experiences reminded


me of the importance of ground training. Ground training and showmanship can be- come an “art”. It can take years of practice to perfect. It’s well worth the time for the benefit in brings in building a harmonious relationship with a horse and improving the handler’s training and riding skills. All my long-term riders master showmanship and in-hand training skills.


73A Bolton St., Bobcaygeon, ON K0M 1A0 705-991-0KCD (0523)


email: kcd@kickingcowgirldesigns.com www.kickingcowgirldesigns.com


The best protection for you and your horse.


CapriCMW is the official insurance partner for Ontario Equestrian and Provincial Equine Associations from coast to coast. We’re Canada’s most trusted insurance provider for equine enthusiasts and equine industry professionals.


Protect your horse with EquiCare, ask us how.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51