Does My Horse Meet Basic Ground Skill Requirements?

Create a solid foundation for better communication in the saddle.

Before Mounting Up My Horse Can…

• Stand or Face Me When I Go to Get Him
• Tip Her Nose Towards Me and Lower Her Head into the Halter or Bridle
• Move Off My Light Touch
• Stay Beside or Behind Me While Leading
• Synchronize With Me as I Walk, Stop or Back
• Respect My Space and Never Touch Me with Any Part of His Body
• Allow Me To Touch Him Anywhere on His Body
• Pick Up Her Feet Safely on Request
• Walk Onto and Off of the Horse Trailer Calmly
• Stand Quietly Without Being Tied While Saddling
• With a Soft Feel, Walk Forwards and Backwards Straight, Slowly & Quickly, Back a Circle, Offer Lateral & Longitudinal Flexion,
• Roll His Hindquarters, Yields Her Forequarters,
• Will Sidepass Away From Me,
• Offer Smooth Upward & Downward Transitions.
• Allow Me to Make All Decisions Concerning Speed and Direction
• Stand Without a Change of Expression as He is Exposed to Ropes, Slickers, Bags Flags, Tarps, Traffic & Other New Stimuli.
• Cross Water and Other Obstacles Calmly and Without Hesitation
• Leave the Barn & Other Horses Without Resistance
• Stand Tied Patiently Without Pulling Back or Pawing
• Stand With Me After the Halter is Off Until I Walk Away
• It is my responsibility to prepare my horse to live in my human world, my job becomes only a matter of time once I learn his language, understand how he perceives the world and how he learns new things.

Be patient with me horse, I do not have all of the answers yet, I will not blame you for making mistakes, I know it is my job to be your teacher and your guide. I can count on your honest input each day, knowing that as I make the change in myself I will also see the change in you. ~ Barb Gerbitz