Horse Riding Training

WHY GROUND SCHOOL?

At Najorka Performance Horses we help people to think like a horse. www.centralflareiner.com We use ground work for every style horse we work with, reiners, Ranch horse work, gaited horses, mules, minies, no end to the list.

Ground school is the foundation for everything your horse does with his feet, whether you are riding or not. In a perfect world you could ride your horse equally well standing on the ground or mounted. Whether you know it or not, while sending the horse forward in the round pen, you began to ride from the ground. You will begin to notice the horse placing his feet more precisely. You will be riding from the ground.

The ground school will help you refine your ability to move your horses feet with your energy, making you a better leader. In addition, further awareness of safety, preparation for every transition, and clear ascalation of aids.

The primary purpose of ground school exercises, like round penning, is to create a safe body bubble. Once there is a safe bubble, the horse will begin to focus his attention on you because you will be using body language, the only language your horse naturally understands.  Over time ground school exercises will increase your horses attention span.

You will produce forward motion, as well as lateral flexion, vertical flexion, back up, and leg yield. Once you learn to watch the feet, you will be able to “feel the feet” and “ride the feet” much more accurately while mounted.

EQUINE SAFETY at Horse Riding and Training

Najorka Performance Horses, www.centralflareiner.com, www.horse-riding-training.com, Najorka Horsemanship.  This a great place to learn about Natural Horsemanship, Reining, and Just Good Horsemanship.

Handling horses can be dangerous. Whether mounted or working on the ground, safety should be a top priority. While accidents can happen when handling any horse, handling young horses or horses without much training require increased safety awareness. Because of the nature of the equipment used in ground training as well as the unpredictable outbursts characteristic of young horses, you may be particularly vulnerable during ground work and your horse’s first rides. During this early training things can quickly get confusing and dangerous. By practicing safe horse handling and riding practices you will greatly minimize your chances of accidents when working with a young horse. Most horse – related mishaps are caused by one of the following:

1.        A lack of understanding in reading a horse’s body language; lack of experience in handling horses; lack of ability or not having a way with horses.

2.        Carelessness, lack of attention, and over – confidence.

3.        Working in unsafe facilities.

4.        Inadequate or improper training of the horse.

5.        Inadequate or improper training and / or supervision of the handler or rider.

6.        Unsuitable horse.

7.        Equipment failure.

8.        Poor equipment fit.

9.        Bad luck such as a horse spooking, slipping, or falling.

10.    Handler or rider hasn’t planned for emergencies.

11.    Loss of temper.

12.    Presence of other horses and riders.

Short cutting proper safety practices is probably the number one cause of equine – related accidents. Do not try to teach a horse something that is beyond your own capabilities and do not attempt a maneuver that is far too advanced for a particular horse.  Keep the pace of your training schedule conservative and steady.



We loaded up the RV and headed to Plant City for a course in Ranch Horse Versatility. There we were going to watch some cowboys cutting some cows. It was about an hour and a half trip in RV that Ken purchased for horse shows and it happens to double as a great way for his students to travel anywhere for that matter. So a couple of bathroom breaks, a food stop, some gas, for the RV that is and we made it to plant city. This is just a quick little video where the cowboy drops one of his reins right in the middle of his horse splitting the herd and cutting a cow. Sit back, relax and let the horse take over from here. Those versatile ranch horses are amazing and they really know their stuff.

For more horse photography go to The Native Floridan – Horse Photography